RSM is a leading adviser to the higher education sector, supporting universities and higher education providers through its Audit, Tax and Consulting services. Our specialist teams bring extensive experience of the higher education landscape, helping institutions navigate a period of significant financial, regulatory, and operational change.
The higher education sector continues to navigate a complex environment, including financial sustainability challenges, evolving regulatory expectations, increasing cyber and technology risks, changing student markets, and heightened scrutiny of governance, accountability, and value for money. Alongside these challenges, institutions are exploring opportunities to transform operating models, strengthen resilience, collaborate across the sector, and deliver long-term strategic objectives.
We support Finance Directors, Chief Financial Officers, governing bodies, Audit and Risk Committees, and executive teams by providing independent assurance, robust challenge and practical insight. Our specialists understand the financial, regulatory and governance pressures facing universities and work alongside institutions to strengthen risk management, support financial sustainability, enhance governance arrangements, and provide confidence to students, regulators, funders and other key stakeholders.
Our external audit teams work with universities across the sector, delivering high-quality, risk-focused audits that go beyond statutory requirements. Through regular engagement with Finance Directors, governing bodies, and Audit and Risk Committees, we provide constructive challenge, sector insight, and practical recommendations on financial reporting, governance, internal control, financial sustainability, and emerging risks. Drawing on our extensive higher education experience, we help institutions understand not only their own position, but also the wider developments and trends shaping the sector.
We maintain strong relationships with regulators and sector bodies across the UK, helping us stay ahead of key regulatory, funding and policy developments. This enables us to share timely insights, provide informed advice, and support clients in navigating change with confidence, backed by a deep understanding of the wider higher education sector.
Audit
• External audit
• Internal audit
Tax
• Corporation tax
• Employment tax
• International tax
• VAT advisory services
Consulting
• Risk management and assurance mapping
• Regulatory, compliance, and assurance reviews
• Audit and Risk Committee effectiveness reviews
• Financial reporting and accounting advisory support
• Governance and internal control reviews
• Financial sustainability and resilience reviews
• Technology risk assurance, cyber security, penetration testing, and phishing assessments
• Fraud risk and investigation services
• Digital governance, risk, and compliance solutions
• Business transformation and operational effectiveness
• Sustainability and ESG advisory and assurance
• Social, policy, and economic consulting
At RSM, we are committed to helping universities navigate an increasingly complex and evolving environment. Through our Audit, Tax and Consulting services, we combine deep sector expertise with independent assurance, practical insight, and a collaborative approach. Whether supporting institutions through external audit, strengthening governance and risk management, or helping address strategic and operational challenges, we work alongside Finance Directors, governing bodies, and executive teams to enhance resilience, build stakeholder confidence, and deliver sustainable outcomes for institutions, students, and wider stakeholders.
As a long-standing supporter of the higher education sector and the BUFDG community, we recognise the critical role finance leaders play in shaping institutional strategy, maintaining financial sustainability, and supporting effective governance. We are committed to providing practical, relevant, and forward-looking support that helps finance leaders, governing bodies, and executive teams make informed decisions, respond confidently to a changing sector landscape, and deliver long-term success for their institutions.
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