Requirements for academy trusts
Academy trusts are required to submit their annual report and financial statements to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) by 31 December every year. The aim is to demonstrate that your trust is appropriately managed and is looking after public money properly.
The annual report must include a governance statement. It must signed by the chair and accounting officer – usually the CEO of your trust (unless ESFA has approved someone else in exceptional circumstances).
This is set out in the ESFA's guidance, academies accounts direction (paragraph 1.17).
This requirement applies to all types of academy trust with a funding agreement with the secretary of state, and an open academy at any point during the accounting period.
Put your statement together
It's a good idea to assign a couple of trustees to work on