Clive Owen LLP is a leading, independently owned and values driven firm of Chartered Accountants, Business and Tax Advisers with offices in Darlington, Durham, York, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.
Established in 1983, we are recognised as one of the largest and most trusted professional services firms in the North, having organically grown from a single location to a firm of nearly 150 colleagues, delivering value added services to corporate, commercial, public sector and private clients.
Over the last 20 years, Clive Owen LLP has established itself as an expert adviser to the education sector, which currently acts for 39 Academy Trusts in external audit alone, as well as clients within independent education. Additionally, the firm possesses extensive experience liaising with the ESFA, gained over the last 10 years, and Partners at the firm have been guest speakers for the NASBM and the ISBA.
Our highly qualified team consists of Chartered Accountants, Chartered Tax Advisers and three individuals who have been awarded DChA (Diploma in Charity Accounting) by the ICAEW. Several Partners and senior staff also act as Governors in Secondary, Further and Higher Education establishments.
Membership of Kreston Global, an international advisory and accounting network, enables the firm to provide additional support to clients through enhanced research coverage, local market knowledge and cross-border professional expertise. Kreston UK firms collectively act on behalf of 3,000 academies and charities in England, more than any other network or firm, comprising over 20 Partners and 250 staff.
Partners at Clive Owen LLP are also involved in the writing and production of the annual Kreston UK Benchmarking Report, which acts as a state of the nation for the academies – and wider education – sector.
The firm is delighted to offer Schools North East members a free initial meeting to discuss audit and taxation issues affecting their organisations.
Testimonials
The Legacy Learning Trust
Working with Clive Owen for our internal audit and assurance has been a collaborative process where trustees can direct the programme and auditors are challenging yet supportive in their approach. As a trust, we have been able to acknowledge our strengths and use that validation to share good practices, as well as benefitting from audit advice to make our processes and systems as efficient and robust as possible. The firm’s organised approach is helpful for us in our preparation and supports us in maintaining a business-as-usual service across our Trust whilst audits are taking place. We are also able to ask questions and seek advice throughout the year which supports us to tackle new challenges as they arise.Bishop Chadwick Education Trust
We have used Clive Owen LLP since February 2016, which is when we were incorporated. They originally acted as both our external and internal auditors. Since the financial year 2020/21, they have acted solely as our external auditors. They have also worked with us providing auditing services for teachers’ pensions and external grant assurance services. Our organisation needs to ensure it complies with the Academy Trust Handbook. The work that we undertake with Clive Owen LLP enables us to achieve this requirement. Through the audit process, Clive Owen LLP helps us to improve our performance and our processes. This ensures we are compliant and able to support our schools more effectively. As our auditors, they highlight and acknowledge our strengths and support us where we have areas for development. I would recommend using Clive Owen LLP. Not only are their processes thorough, robust and timely but they are also helpful and supportive. As our auditors, they are more than happy to answer ad hoc queries as they arise throughout the year. Carolyn Dent – Bishop Chadwick Education TrustMoorlands Learning Trust
We have worked with Clive Owen LLP for 10 years and I have found them to be an invaluable partner for us, helping us face the complex challenges that Academy accounts present. They provide challenge and support to the board as well as helping to explain complex accounts in a way that provides clarity on the underlying financial performance of the trust. The team has extensive knowledge of the academic sector and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. The Academies Accounts Direction and the Academies Trust Handbook change annually, and the firm adds value by running seminars to update us on what the changes will mean for us and how best to implement them. They are also involved in writing the Kreston Academy Benchmarking Report which we find really useful. They have a very collaborative approach, and the team are always available to answer queries or give support when needed. As leaders in their field, I feel Chris Beaumont and his team are proactive and genuinely invested in our performance and success. They deliver on time and to the agreed budget. The peace of mind this gives us means I would definitely recommend them.Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust
We have worked with Clive Owen LLP during the school’s first year of Academy status and have found the company to be a thoroughly professional organisation. As well as undertaking the year end audit and responsible officer role, they have provided a number of training courses which we have found very useful. Of particular interest was the session on ‘Academy Finance’ where governors gain a better understanding of the issues we may face as an Academy – funding environment, VAT, gift aid, corporation tax and cash flow implications to name but a few.