Providing peace of mind – with precision
At Price Bailey, our role is to work closely with you and to check that controls are working as intended, highlight risks and recommend practical improvement. Internal audit is not just about finding problems – it’s about helping organisations achieve their objectives.
In practice it is a two-way process. We agree the scope with you, focus on areas that matter and provide clear recommendations that truly add value to your organisation.
Partnering with a trusted firm for internal audit services isn’t just about meeting compliance, it’s about unlocking real business value.
A dedicated audit team brings fresh, independent insight into your operations, helping you spot hidden risks, streamline processes, and strengthen internal controls before issues escalate.
Our internal audit team have extensive experience in auditing a variety of organisations, typically completing anywhere from 70 to 100 audits per year.
See our industry page on Housing Associations: Specialist Housing Association Accountants
Price Bailey has completed a comprehensive review of Ascendancy Partnership Trust’s Key Financial Controls. This was our first internal audit and Price Bailey provided invaluable support throughout the process. Their expert guidance helped us ensure that our financial controls were robust, aligned with best practices, and fully compliant. Their meticulous approach to reviewing our processes has significantly strengthened the integrity and reliability of our financial operations.
Price Bailey’s use of the Inflo portal enabled seamless and efficient collaboration, allowing for smooth data exchange and ensuring that all information was accurately compiled and reviewed in real time. This streamlined approach made the entire process more efficient and ensured that our submission was accurate and on time.
Chief Financial Officer, Ascendancy Partnership Trust
Our internal audit options cover both financial and non-financial areas. We update and expand these regularly to ensure we offer our clients the most relevant services.
While financial accuracy and compliance remain central, our internal audit offering also covers non-financial areas such as risk management, governance, GDPR, cyber security, disaster recovery, HR. and regulatory compliance outside of finance. We also offer bespoke reviews tailored to your requirements.
Academy trusts are usually strong on traditional financial processes, but the bigger risks now sit in wider operational areas. Cybersecurity, data protection, sustainability obligations and AI policies can all have significant implications if not managed well.
These areas change quickly, and trusts can find it difficult to keep policies, staff training and governance arrangements up to date. A focused internal audit review can help identify gaps early and provide clear actions before these issues affect the trust’s operations or reputation. 
Thinking about internal audit for the first time, or reviewing your current assurance arrangements? Our complimentary readiness assessment provides housing associations with an independent, high-level review of their risk management and assurance framework.
You will receive:
Get in touch with us using the form below to book in your complimentary call.
At the start of each year we discuss your preferred schedule and agree the number of visits. This may range from one to four reviews depending on size and needs.
A few weeks before each visit we request the information needed. For more detailed reviews we may send a short questionnaire to understand your processes in advance.
On day one we meet with the relevant lead, for example the headteacher, finance manager, IT manager or sustainability lead. We clarify processes, ask questions and confirm the scope.
Our team carries out the work over the agreed number of days. We follow up with any further queries as needed to ensure a complete and accurate review.
We have the capability to conduct much of our internal audit work remotely and can accommodate your team’s schedule and availability.
We invest in training and CPD to make sure our work reflects current risks. The team attends annual conferences and CPD training and updates our terms of references based on new guidance, client feedback and emerging risks. We’ll provide you with guidance on industry best practices and ensure you’re always informed of key changes.
Our online Insights Page is filled with relevant information for your business and sector. Additionally, we produce reports, newsletters and issue email alerts, as well as being in regular contact with you when significant developments arise that may impact your business.
At Price Bailey our Academies team is proud to offer a free unlimited helpdesk aimed at supporting our academy clients should they have a query that we either know or should know the answer to.
Every quarter our Academies team publish examples of the top queries that the helpdesk has received. You can read these findings here.
We have been extremely impressed with the internal audit service provided by Price Bailey. We have been using their services since 2020. The audit work has been thorough, efficient, and timely throughout the process. Communication has been clear and professional, making them a pleasure to work with. Their attention to detail and high standards have given us confidence in our compliance and governance. Highly recommended for any parish council seeking a reliable and professional internal audit service.
Responsible Finance Officer, Dersingham Parish Council
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
Tom is the Head of Internal Audit at Price Bailey, leading the firm’s internal audit service across all sectors. He has developed a significant presence within the education sector and is one of the country’s leading experts, offering advice that is comprehensive and pragmatic in both pre-emptive and responsive ways, depending on the needs of his clients.
Tom’s expertise also extends across the wider Not‑for‑Profit and charity sector. He has supported numerous charitable organisations with governance reviews, risk management assessments and strategic advisory work, helping boards strengthen their oversight and meet increasingly complex regulatory expectations. His balanced, practical approach ensures charities receive assurance that genuinely supports both compliance and mission impact.
Alongside his professional work, Tom has dedicated considerable time to volunteering as a trustee for several local multi‑academy trusts. This hands‑on experience has given him deep insight into the education landscape and strengthened his appreciation of the critical role that governance and strategic direction play in the success of any organisation.
Tom has also served as an advisory non‑executive director, supporting chairs and trust boards in enhancing their governance structures. His combined experience across audit, governance and strategic leadership enables him to provide balanced, informed and effective guidance to clients.
Louis has worked across a diverse range of industries throughout his career and is passionate about helping clients achieve their goals. As a portfolio manager, he oversees a broad and varied client base spanning multiple sectors, including academy trusts, charities, and other Not‑for‑Profit organisations. His ability to quickly understand the needs of different stakeholders allows him to build strong relationships and deliver tailored, meaningful support.
With significant experience in both internal and external audit roles within the education sector, Louis brings valuable insight and practical understanding to his work. He enjoys applying this expertise to help clients navigate challenges and reach their objectives.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Louis serves as a trustee for a local charity. This role gives him first‑hand awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing the Not‑for‑Profit sector and further strengthens his appreciation of effective governance, financial sustainability, and community impact. His trustee experience complements his audit expertise, enabling him to provide well‑rounded, pragmatic advice to clients across all areas of his portfolio.
India is an integral member of our education team, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as portfolio manager for clients across both internal and external audits in the education sector. Her keen attention to detail and understanding of the complexities within educational finance ensure that our clients receive tailored, effective support in all aspects of audit and assurance.
India has established herself as a trusted point of contact for our Academy Schools client base. She manages our dedicated Academy Helpdesk, providing timely guidance and solutions for technical queries and operational challenges faced by academies. Her proactive approach fosters strong client relationships and ensures that queries are resolved efficiently. Recognising the ever-evolving nature of the education sector, India manages our technical updates and webinars. These sessions are designed to keep clients informed of the latest regulatory changes, best practices, and sector developments.
India’s passion for supporting educational institutions is reflected in her dedication to professional development, both for herself and her clients. She regularly participates in sector-specific training and forums, ensuring that her advice is current and her support is robust.
India also manages our internal audit work on Annual Governance and Accountability Returns, ensuring that audits are delivered in accordance with regulatory requirements. Her detailed understanding of assurance processes and governance expectations supports clients in meeting their statutory obligations with confidence.
Becki joined Price Bailey in September 2025, bringing with her around five years of experience as an outsourced internal auditor and financial consultant within the education sector. During this time, she supported a wide range of academies, special schools and multi‑academy trusts, developing strong technical knowledge of governance, risk management and compliance. She has extensive experience conducting assurance reviews, compliance testing, policy assurance and advisory work in line with the Academy Trust Handbook and wider sector requirements.
Becki is AAT‑qualified, holds a degree in Accounting and Finance, and is currently working towards her Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA) qualification, demonstrating her commitment to continued professional development and technical excellence. Her background in internal audit and financial consultancy—combined with her analytical approach and sector‑focused insight—enables her to provide practical, well‑informed guidance to clients, and since joining Price Bailey she has become a valued member of the team, contributing her experience to client portfolios and helping to strengthen our service offering across the education sector.
Liv joined Price Bailey in January 2024 and works exclusively within our Internal Audit department. Since joining, she has contributed to a broad portfolio of clients across the education sector and a diverse range of Not‑For‑Profit organisations. Her experience spans core internal audit work as well as more bespoke reviews designed to address specific risk areas unique to each client.
With a keen analytical approach and a strong understanding of control environments, Liv is particularly interested in audits that require tailored methodologies, whether assessing governance frameworks, operational processes, or emerging risks within specialist organisations. Her ability to adapt audit programmes to meet the nuanced needs of each client ensures that her work adds tangible value and supports effective risk management.
Liv is AAT‑qualified and is currently working towards her Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA) qualification, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development and technical excellence.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you
This guide answers the questions landlords raise with us most often: how the Section 24 tax reducer is calculated, how much it costs at different levels of borrowing, which thresholds it can push you over, and what changes in 2027/28 in each part of the UK.
Join our webinar as we explore the evolving risk landscape facing academy trusts, key principles of risk management, and the top 10 questions every board should ask about risk.
The role of technology in healthcare cannot be understated. Our latest report explores the tech companies revolutionising healthcare.
Our experts hosted four webinars, breaking down the key areas of the SORP, catch up on the recordings here.
