PENSIONS AUDIT

Our award-winning specialist Pensions Audit team works with pension trustees, administrators and advisers, delivering hassle-free, pragmatic audits

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A PASSION FOR PENSIONS AUDIT

As a pension trustee, administrator or adviser, whether your scheme has 13 members or 13,000, you need to make sure everything is running smoothly so you can sign off your accounts within seven months of the scheme’s year-end.

That means you need a hassle-free pensions audit; delivered by a tight-knit team of industry experts who can drive the process, tailor it to your specific needs and advise you on any key risk areas, such as unauthorised investment transactions, fictitious pensions and incorrect benefit payments.

As the Pensions Age Awards’ ‘Pensions Accountancy Firm of the Year’ for 2020, 2021 and 2024, we cut the mustard.

Because even with the tighter turnarounds, the most schemes we’ve ever worked on, and all the other challenges the last few years have thrown at us, we’ve still never missed a deadline. And when we asked our clients, “How are we doing?”, they scored us 4.8 / 5.

BUT ONE THING’S GOT US PUZZLED

Pension scheme audits are a niche area. They require specific training and a strong understanding of the sector and the terminology. And that’s why we can’t understand why so many accountancy firms don’t have a team dedicated to them.

Our specialist pensions audit team are one of the four UK accountancy firms on the Pension Protection Fund’s (PPF) Audit Services Panel.

That means we’ve got the technical knowledge to flex our approach to your specific needs, with proactive advice that will keep you ahead of the curve on legislative changes, guaranteeing compliance and future-proofing as the regulator gets tougher.

In September 2023, we were also awarded the PPF’s prestigious Trustmark. One of the industry’s biggest signifiers of excellence, it recognises specialist knowledge, collaborative working with the PPF, and a commitment to delivering the highest standards of service.

A PAINLESS PROCESS. STEP BY STEP

We’ll be getting in touch with you regularly. We form partnerships with our clients and their advisers. And we’re different because one of our guarantees is continuity. At least one person from your previous year’s audit team will work with you in subsequent years. You won’t be asked the same question twice and we’ll always be working closely together to create a seamless service.

Step 1

Before the pensions audit kicks off, we’ll outline our fee, discuss a timetable that works for you, and make sure you’re aware of all your deadlines in advance. We get everybody’s buy-in, including administrators and investment advisers, and keep everyone on the same page throughout the whole process.

Step 2

During the pensions audit, we’ll keep you updated on our progress and let you know straight away about any issues we’ve identified. This includes outlining any risk areas and advising you on control measures and other ways to improve your management process going forward. We’ll talk you through the draft accounts, answer any questions, and work with you to make sure the trustee report reflects the scheme’s yearly activities.

Step 3

After the pensions audit, we’ll make sure you’re kept in the loop about any pension legislation changes, and we’ll always be on hand to answer any queries you may have. Feedback is massively important to us. So, we’ll send you an advocacy questionnaire to ask how we’re doing and what we can do differently.

WHAT’S HOT IN OUR WORLD?

Here’s Helen Scothern, our Pensions Audit Associate Partner, with a video update on everything that’s been happening in the team over the last year.

Fern Farnsworth
Pensions Audit Director

Get in touch with Fern Farnsworth

“We’ve recently completed our first audit with Cooper Parry. From the day we appointed them to audit end, Helen and her team have been excellent. They do what they say, on time, with incredible attention to detail, and they’re nice folks too. They communicated right through the process, and we felt valued and informed. The team finished everything early and certainly under-promised and over-delivered. We’re delighted we selected Cooper Parry. A real breath of fresh air.”

Carlsberg

“The whole team have continued the excellent work reported at mid-year. You consistently deliver on time and are flexible in your approach with both the PPF, Trustees and Administrators.”

Pension Protection Fund

“As a first year audit, it went as smoothly as we could have possibly hoped. CP were the standout choice for our new auditors due to the speed of response and their less “formal approach” to the tender document and our initial call. It caught our eye and made us feel that CP was a firm with good people to work with, which has proven to be the case. The level of client service has been really good and certainly a large improvement from our previous auditors. The audit was seamless and I look forward to the audits in the coming years as we continue to build a strong relationship.”

University of Southampton Pension & Assurance Scheme

“Very approachable and friendly team. They adopt a robust and pragmatic approach to pension scheme audits.”

The Park Lane Hotel Retirement Fund

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CP EVENTS

1 minute read

PE- Backed CFO Roundtable Lunch

  • Tuesday 28th January
  • 12.00pm- 15.00pm
  • Bocca Di Lupo. London
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MANAGING INTERNATIONAL TAX RISK FOR YOUR SCALE UP

  • Tuesday 28th January
  • 1pm-2pm
  • Online
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2 minute read

The Balancing Act: Juggling Profit & Purpose

  • Thursday 30th January
  • 9.00am - 13.00pm
  • Sky View, East Midlands
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1 minute read

READY FOR THE NEW R&D TAX REGIME?

  • Tuesday 11th February
  • 1pm-2pm
  • Online
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1 minute read

RETAIL FINANCE FORUM

  • Wednesday 26th February
  • 09.30pm- 13.30pm
  • Sky View, Cooper Parry
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2 minute read

Rebelution 4

  • Thursday 27th February
  • 18.00pm- 22.00pm
  • Diecast, Manchester
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LATEST NEWS

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REVIEWS

LIZ, DEC 24

“Although new clients to Cooper Parry therefore the audit took longer than we would like, Tara, Steph and their team have been very good in onboarding us and guiding us through it. Communication has been good between us and CP, and we have now worked out a schedule for the 2024 accounts audit which should mean it will be completed earlier.”

HETAL, DEC 24

“The audit was well run with a pragmatic approach where needed. The presentation of the results was also well managed. “

JAMES, DEC 24

“Regarding the audit process, we found no specific areas requiring improvement. Throughout the audit, the regular calls and discussions proved highly productive, with responses that were clear, concise, and any queries were resolved promptly. There was continuity within the team with Steph and Hannah who were approachable. There were no instances of duplicated information that would necessitate additional work to be undertaken. Completed by the Plan Secretary on behalf of / with collaboration from the Trustee. “

PETE, DEC 24

“Very quick and efficient in responses and extremely effective in dealing we have had so far.”

JENNIFER, DEC 24

“Slow in communication.”

MIKE, DEC 24

“Over the years we have dealt with your Firm we have received excellent service, for which many thanks to all involved.”

DAVID, DEC 24

“There have not been any issues.”

CLARE, DEC 24

“Well run audit, came in on time – no concerns.”

HANNAH, DEC 24

“Completed the audit in line with the suggested timetable.”

MERVYN, DEC 24

“No issues. “

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