"We are a small Multi Academy Trust with an over subscribed secondary school and a medium sized primary school with its own nursery. Our Trustees appointed Edmund Carr to be our internal auditors from September 2021.
We have found their services to be very professional with a robust testing of our systems, procedures and governance. The Internal Controls Report produced by Edmund Carr is clear and easy to understand for all of our stakeholders. We felt the recommendations made in the Report improved our current good practices and where necessary our Financial Regulations have been updated to incorporate these improvements.
Our preference is for the Internal Controls Scrutiny visits to be made on site at each academy. During the visits we have found the staff from Edmund Carr to be friendly and helpful, working well with our finance staff within the academies."
Eastwood Park Academy Trust
"We have been working with Edmund Carr for a few years now. Tom York and Alex Stone have been our main contacts and both are really friendly and professional. Tom and Alex have helped us with integration of a new software package and also cashflow forecasting software which has proved to be invaluable to our Company.
Tom and Alex provide regular management account reviews and system audits so that we can stay focused on where we are going and what we want/need to achieve as a business.
As a business owner, I find their support and assistance invaluable. They have helped myself and the Company through extremely difficult times and it is always reassuring to know that we have the best people around us providing us with their knowledge and expertise.
I would recommend Edmund Carr and in particular Tom and Alex to anyone."
Claire Noble - Operations Director
New Homes Law
"Edmund Carr is a business that continues to drive incredible value for us. They joined the company at a crucial time as we were growing at 100%+ YOY and part of this success is down to Edmund Carr’s responsiveness, communication and positive attitude. Saving time, and money in the process."
Owen O'Neill - Founder
Uni Compare Ltd
"Edmund Carr have being taking care of our payroll for over 15 years. They are professional & friendly and make the whole PAYE system easy.
The team are always willing to help with any queries and provide the reassurance that everything is done properly. When you are busy running a small business knowing that all your payroll matters, including the whole auto-enrolment process, are being taken care of makes life much simpler.
I don’t think anyone would say payroll is a pleasure but working with Julie & her team is the nearest you will get!"
Wendy Carter
Simon Carter Limited
"The Payroll Department team particularly Julie Perrin and Sarah Lock provide a service second to none. Always efficient and always friendly and ready to assist whenever you need them. They also set up our workplace pension saving us wasted time and cost trying to deal with it ourselves. Using Edmund Carr to handle our payroll has been one of the best decisions we have made".
Yvonne May - Head of Administration
East Anglian Chambers
"We have been working with Edmund Carr and their team of accountants since our multi academy trust was set up in early 2014. We were immediately impressed with their professionalism but more importantly awareness of the academy and multi academy system. As our trust has grown over the past three years so have the expertise that Edmund Carr offer us. We regularly ask questions and seek advice and always receive a timely, well considered response which supports our trust and academies. During the audit process our academies each receive a tailored visit which feels personal and the process is carried out with us and not to us. This is critical if the audit process is to be smooth and transparent. All communication, either by email, phone call or visit is purposeful and Edmund Carr ensure that, as educationalists, we understand the nuances of accountancy in a friendly and considered way. We are extremely grateful to Stewart and Tom and their team for the invaluable support and fantastic service that we have received over the past three years."
Joe Figg - CEO
The Eveleigh LINK Academy Trust
"Our Charity has been using the services of Edmund Carr as auditors for over 25 years. I personally, have worked with them for 12 years and have always found them to be extremely professional and efficient.
We have an excellent working relationship with their staff at all levels and nothing is too much trouble. They have sound knowledge of charity accounting and we are confident with their advice, which is always freely given.
We look forward to our continued association for years to come and have no hesitation in recommending Edmund Carr."
Janet Adams
Finance Manager, Age UK Essex
"I am the current Treasurer of the Charity Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland which encompasses the Vascular Society and Circulation Foundation (Company Number 4020415). Since 2014 we have engaged Edmund Carr Limited as accountants and independent auditors of our charity finances.
We moved to Edmund Carr at a time when the Charity was undergoing internal re-organisation and at that time we were experiencing difficulty with our internal processes for financial management. The staff at Edmund Carr have helped us through this difficult period and have introduced us to new financial software and have provided considerable support for our staff in managing our finances. We now have processes that are more streamlined and transparent and will be easier to manage for successive Treasurers.
The team at Edmund Carr have all been very professional in the dealings with our staff, they have been very helpful and understanding, and they have a good knowledge of Charity law in relation to financial management. They have always been very responsive when we have contacted them with a problem or question. We are now in a position where we can submit our annual accounts well within the required timeframe.
They are very experienced in charity work and I have no hesitation in recommending them to other charities who may be considering working with them."
Mr Tim Lees
Treasurer, Vascular Society of Great Britain & Ireland
"It has been a pleasure to work with Edmund Carr with help and guidance of any changes we need to make with regard to our Charity, Age Concern Chelmsford. Whatever queries we have they are there to support and give guidance in any way they can. They have been brilliant to us and I have no hesitation in recommending them to other Charities."
Freda Mountain
Age Concern Chelmsford
"I understand its good practice to change auditors every few years but when I came to the Country Trust we had been with the same firm for a long time. I needed a fresh approach with a company that understood small charities, would provide us with a personal service, was on hand to respond promptly to all sorts of queries, could agree a clear plan for the end of year process with us, in good time, and who would work with us to present our accounts in the most straightforward way. In line with the SORP of course but also understanding and taking into account our needs. I also wanted a company who would audit robustly but in a way that would help us to develop professional practices and sensible internal controls. And of course, being a small charity with very tight budgets, value for money is very important.
Two other charities recommended Edmund Carr to us and we now have one year of working together under our belts. So far we are very happy with our choice!"
Jill Attenborough - CEO
The Country Trust
"I have worked with the Charities Team at Edmund Carr for 12 years and have always found them very supportive and helpful in the production of our accounts. They are well informed about required changes due to updated legislation and are quick to flag these up. They also work well with us as their client in order to ensure that the management accounts meet our Association’s needs."
Lucy Davies - Association Manager
Association of Breast Surgery at The Royal College of Surgeons
"Our school have been using Edmund Carr for more than three years now. The team are professional and always provide prompt and helpful advice to any questions I raise. Nothing is too much trouble for them and their customer service is excellent. I have also been very impressed with the way our annual audit has been carried out so efficiently".
Joanne Madders - Finance Manager
Runwell Community Primary School
"I would like to thank both yourself and Nina for your calm, courteous and pleasant approach to the audit. As an academy there have been many changes to the finances with regard to reporting and other requirements and you have been both supportive and responsive to our needs not only throughout the audit but throughout the year. We could not have managed the transition between school and academy without your expertise and help. So once again thank you for your help and we look forward to working with you next year".
Chris Emerson
Great Berry Primary School
"XLP has been associated with Edmund Carr since June 2007. I selected them because I knew the partner, Eric Williams, from many years of previous business dealings. The service they provide is professional and courteous, and they are always on hand to answer our queries promptly. They have developed an excellent working relationship with our staff and have demonstrated a sound understanding of the support required for the successful operation of the charity. I have no hesitation in recommending Edmund Carr."
Simon Marchant
XLP Registered Charity No. 1101095
"During the seven years we have been with Edmund Carr we have found them to be, not just simply another firm of auditors, but real partners who have assisted us in many ways. Their team of auditors have always been friendly, courteous and above all, helpful. They never tire of our questions, provide valuable specialist knowledge and the opportunity to chat through ideas or problems we may have and as they arise. Our senior auditor is extremely helpful and is always at the end of a phone should we need him.
It is indeed refreshing to come across a firm like Edmund Carr who specialise in good service and customer care and as such we have no hesitation what-so-ever in thoroughly recommending them."
Peter Thorn - Bursar
St. Michael's School (Leigh-on-Sea) Limited
"St. Anne's School has used Edmund Carr as the schools accountants for the last 22 years, our partner Eric Williams has always dealt with any enquiry swiftly and competently and I am completely satisfied with the service I receive. The staff are always helpful, friendly and efficient. I know that I will always receive sound advice and I have no hesitation in leaving all my accounting matters in their capable hands."
Sheila Robson - Proprietor
Chelmsford St Anne’s School Ltd
"The school has used Edmund Carr for 44 years which speaks for itself and in that time we have built up a close working relationship and great friendship. I find them very reliable, incredibly trustworthy, friendly and helpful and being a local company has huge advantages. They know the schools business and on many occasions we have benefited from their expert advice. I would have no hesitation in recommending them."
Louise Gear - Director
Widford Lodge School Ltd, Chelmsford