our services

internal audit

What is an internal auditor? Is quite a common question and put quite simply, an internal auditor helps organisations to succeed. They look at the systems, processes and operations that are currently in place and make independent and objective conclusions of the effectiveness that these systems and processes have on the organisation. Recommendations are made on how to improve them and also how to help an organisation manage risk.

How can we help

Risk management is a team effort and cannot be successfully mitigated without involvement from employees at all levels. There are five aspects to managing risk:

The individual on ‘the ground’ performing the role that was assigned to them in an organisation with a positive culture i.e. setting ‘the tone’.
The Line Manager / Head of Department overseeing the process, managing the risk and exhibiting the ‘tone at the top’.
An independent internal review (audit) function to provide assurance that processes 1 and 2 function effectively.
An independent external audit function to add veracity and objectivity for stakeholders.
The Board of Directors, Trustees and Governors to balance value creation (profitability) and value protection (risk).

Our team are certified by the BSI to provide Internal Audit Assurance Services on Quality Management Systems. Victoria Harrison who is head of our audit team is also certified as a Chartered Internal Auditor (CIA), a globally recognised mark of authority in internal auditing.

If you would like to discuss how our team can assist your business, please do not hesitate to contact us using the form below.

Internal audit is proving more popular and is now mandatory for academy trusts. We work with clients to build a cost effective programme of work that will cover financial and non-financial processes to ensure these processes are being followed and they are fit for purpose, providing feedback to the Board regularly to give them further insight in to the organisation.
Victoria Davies Accounting Services Manager

gbac have provided accounting and business services for our companies since 1979 and over the years we have seen them develop in to the reliable and supportive organisation we know today. Our companies would not have been able to achieve the level of success without the support and expert business advice provided by the gbac team – for which we are very grateful!
Martin Daws Director, Constructional Timber Manufacturers Limited

Employees can request flexible working from their first day

Flexible working rights allow employees to find a way of working that suits their needs, while meeting the needs of their employers, too.

This can involve more flexibility in working hours or work locations – for example, adjusting start and finish times, or working from home part-time or full-time.

Employees have the right to make a flexible working request, known as a statutory application, to their employer – though employers aren’t obligated to approve them.

Previously, employees would have to work for their employer as normal for 26 weeks before being able to make a flexible working request.

However, new changes came into effect on 6th April 2024, allowing all employees to apply for flexible working requirements from their first day of employment.

Business rates relief 2024/2025

Last November, the measures announced in the Autumn Statement 2023 included some extensions and some cuts to business rates relief for the 2024–2025 tax year.

While the business rates burden may be alleviated for some businesses in England and the Scottish islands, businesses in Wales sadly will not be as fortunate.

Here are the latest figures for business rates relief and multipliers from 1st April 2024.

National Fraud Squad to crack down on financial fraud

Fraud is now the most common crime committed in England and Wales, with 1 in 15 people falling victim to fraudsters and 9 in 10 internet users encountering online scams.

Financial fraud can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, with bank accounts and life savings drained in a matter of minutes – fraud victims lost a collective £2.35 billion in 2021.

It can also be costly for businesses, with 18% falling victim in 2017–2020, and UK Finance members from the banking and finance industry losing over £1.3 billion to fraud in 2021.

To tackle the growing threat of fraud in the UK, the government has announced a new initiative – ‘Fraud Strategy: Stopping scams and protecting the public’.