Learning and skills

Working in partnership with the learning and skills sector

Baker Tilly has worked in partnership with the learning and skills sector for many years. Not only do we act for more than a quarter of further education and sixth form colleges, but many training providers.

Our training provider clients include not only charities and third sector bodies but also commercial organisations of many sizes. We work with and advise many of the sector lead bodies including the funding agencies and the Association of Colleges.

Our clients value our in-depth understanding of their sector, their issues and the funding mechanisms.

Helping you deal with issues you face

Training providers, whether private or public sector; college or not, are facing unprecedented challenges:

• a new government is determining its strategy for the sector
• public expenditure is to be cut further
• these cuts occur with higher demand for places as 16-18 year olds are unable to find jobs and adults need re-training to give them the skills needed in the 21st century
• funding mechanisms and methodologies are being reviewed
• traditional funding sources are not available to finance capital builds
• the cost of public sector final salary pension schemes continues to increase

Recent publications

• VAT Rate Change – Guidance for Further Education Colleges
  As it is now known that the standard rate of VAT will rise to 20% on 4 January 2011, Further Education Colleges should start considering how to mitigate the extra cost that the rate rise will create.
• Guidance for Governors considering going concern
  Going concern is a fundamental accounting concept for the preparation of financial statements. Read our guidance on how your college should prepare its financial statements on a going concern basis.