Will the distributions consultation give demergers a workable route?
What HMRC’s distributions consultation could mean for demergers and business restructuring.
Housing Associations
Housing association accountants, auditors and advisers supporting registered providers and social housing organisations
Housing associations operate in an increasingly complex environment, balancing the delivery of safe, affordable homes with growing regulatory expectations, financial pressures and ambitious development programmes. Strong governance, effective risk management and reliable financial information are essential to maintaining compliance and delivering long-term value for tenants.
At Price Bailey, our specialist accountants, auditors and advisers work with Registered Providers and social housing organisations across the UK. We provide practical, independent advice that supports financial resilience, strengthens governance and helps organisations respond confidently to evolving regulatory requirements.
How we support housing associations
Our integrated team provides assurance and advisory services designed to strengthen controls, improve decision-making and support long-term sustainability.
Our services include:
- Statutory audit
- Internal audit
- Accounting and outsourcing
- Tax advisory
- Business advisory
- Governance and risk reviews
- Financial reporting
- Board and committee reporting
- Strategic planning
It has been a pleasure working with Price Bailey, they have been professional and collaborative, attending our governance meetings with trustees and working with colleagues across departments. Their planning is really helpful so that we can be clear on expectations and timescales, they work effectively with colleagues to audit respective areas and provide their findings in an accessible and focused report which enables us to continuously improve our activities.
Papworth Trust
Governance, risk and regulatory compliance
Strong governance underpins every successful housing association. Boards and executive teams need confidence that risks are understood, controls are operating effectively and regulatory obligations are being met.
We work with housing associations to strengthen governance arrangements, improve internal controls and provide independent assurance over key areas of risk. Our advisers help organisations embed effective governance that supports informed decision-making and demonstrates accountability to regulators and stakeholders.
Our support includes:
- Governance reviews
- Risk management frameworks
- Internal control reviews
- Board and committee reporting
- Regulatory readiness
- Governance effectiveness assessments
Whether preparing for regulatory engagement or reviewing existing governance arrangements, we provide practical recommendations that help organisations strengthen their control environment.
Internal audit and assurance for housing associations
Internal audit plays an important role in helping housing associations understand whether governance, risk management and internal controls are operating effectively. Independent assurance provides boards and audit committees with confidence that key risks are being appropriately managed and opportunities for improvement are identified before they become significant issues.
Our experienced internal auditors work collaboratively with organisations to deliver risk-based internal audit programmes that provide practical recommendations, rather than simply identifying weaknesses. We tailor our approach to your organisation’s risk profile, strategic objectives and regulatory environment.
We provide both statutory audit and internal audit services across the housing sector. However, to maintain auditor independence, we cannot provide both services to the same organisation. Where appropriate, we work alongside your existing external or internal auditors to deliver independent assurance that complements your governance framework.
Improving financial resilience and decision making
Reliable financial information enables housing associations to make informed decisions, monitor organisational performance and demonstrate value for money.
We help organisations develop meaningful management information that supports both operational management and strategic decision-making.
Our support includes:
- Management reporting
- Financial forecasting
- Budget preparation and monitoring
- Scenario planning
- Board reporting
Why housing associations choose Price Bailey
Our multidisciplinary team combines sector knowledge with practical advice.
Clients choose Price Bailey because we offer:
- Specialist experience supporting housing associations and Registered Providers
- Integrated audit, internal audit, accounting and advisory services
- Deep understanding of governance, risk management and regulatory compliance
- Experienced advisers who work collaboratively with boards, executive teams and audit committees
- Membership of IAPA, enabling us to support organisations with international considerations where required
- Regular insights into regulatory developments, governance best practice and sector challenges
- Free telephone advice for minor queries and dedicated contact time, encouraging proactive conversations throughout the year
- Long-term relationships built on practical advice, independence and trusted support
Frequently asked questions
What services do housing association accountants provide?
Housing association accountants provide specialist audit, accounting, tax and advisory services tailored to the social housing sector. This includes statutory audit, internal audit, financial reporting, governance support and strategic financial advice.
Why do housing associations require specialist auditors?
Specialist auditors understand the regulatory framework, governance expectations and financial reporting requirements that apply to Registered Providers, helping organisations meet their obligations while providing independent assurance.
How can housing associations strengthen governance and compliance?
Effective governance relies on robust risk management, strong internal controls, regular assurance and clear reporting to boards and audit committees. Independent reviews can help identify opportunities to strengthen existing arrangements.
What financial challenges are currently affecting the social housing sector?
Housing associations continue to face funding pressures, increasing regulatory expectations, building safety investment, decarbonisation commitments and the need to balance investment in existing homes with new development programmes.
How can Price Bailey support Registered Providers?
We provide integrated audit, internal audit, accounting and advisory services that help Registered Providers strengthen governance, improve financial resilience and respond confidently to an evolving regulatory environment.
Is internal audit needed for smaller housing associations?
Yes. Regulatory expectations around consumer standards, tenant safety, governance and data quality apply regardless of size, but smaller providers often have to meet them with far less in-house assurance capacity than larger associations. That gap, not the scale of the organisation, is what makes a proportionate internal audit programme worth having.
What does a risk-based internal audit programme look like for a smaller provider?
Rather than working through a fixed annual cycle, it targets the areas carrying the most risk for that organisation, typically tenant safety, consumer standards, asset management and board reporting. For a smaller association without an extensive second-line function, this focused approach gives the board useful assurance without the cost or complexity of a full-scale programme.
How is internal audit different from external audit for a housing association?
External audit gives assurance on the annual financial statements. Internal audit is broader and ongoing: it tests whether the organisation’s risk management, governance and controls are actually working in practice, across areas an external audit does not cover, such as tenant safety processes or data quality. Boards need both, but internal audit is the one that flags problems before they show up in the accounts.
We can help
Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you
Read our insights here
Price Bailey announces its 2026 trainee intake
Price Bailey announces trainee and apprenticeship openings across East Anglia.
Is your approval process still doing what you think it does?
Whilst most invoice, expense and purchasing card processes are put in place to provide appropriate checks and controls, once they are up and running, they are not always reviewed as regularly as they perhaps should be.
A guide to the Patent Box and how to qualify
Learn if your business qualifies for Patent Box relief and how you can claim it.