Client Money

Our approach goes beyond compliance — we aim to deliver assurance, transparency, and practical advice to strengthen your internal controls.

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Client Money Audit (CASS, SRA)

Sheen Stickland provides specialist client money audit services designed to meet the strict regulatory requirements of professional and financial sectors. We understand the importance of safeguarding client funds and ensuring compliance with frameworks such as the FCA’s Client Assets Sourcebook (CASS) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules.

Our approach goes beyond compliance – we aim to deliver assurance, transparency, and practical advice to strengthen your internal controls. Whether you’re a financial services firm, law practice, or property agency, we help you maintain the confidence of clients, regulators, and stakeholders through clear, accurate, and timely reporting.

With extensive experience across multiple regulated industries, our team ensures that your organisation not only meets its audit obligations but also benefits from actionable insights to improve systems and mitigate future risks.

Our Services

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – CASS Audit

Firms regulated by the FCA that hold or control client money or custody assets must comply with the rules set out in the Client Assets Sourcebook (CASS). These requirements apply to a wide range of businesses, including investment firms, financial advisers, insurance brokers, and payment institutions.

Our CASS audits are conducted with precision and transparency, providing assurance to both clients and regulators that your business is managing client money responsibly. Beyond meeting compliance standards, we identify opportunities to enhance processes, strengthen controls, and reduce the risk of regulatory breaches.

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) – Accountants’ Report

Solicitor firms holding client money are required to obtain an accountant’s report under the SRA Accounts Rules. These regulations safeguard client funds and maintain trust in the legal profession. Since the 2019 changes, the rules have become less prescriptive – increasing the importance of having robust internal systems and controls in place.

We work closely with your practice, including your Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA), to perform a thorough and efficient review. Our goal is to help you maintain the highest standards of client care, while offering practical recommendations for continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

Other Regulated Areas

Our expertise also extends to other regulated professions that handle client money. This includes RICS Client Money Examinations (CME) for Chartered Surveyors and Independent Accountant’s Reports for members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). We provide the same high level of diligence and professionalism across all reporting frameworks.

Ongoing Compliance & Support

At Sheen Stickland, we don’t see audits as a one-off exercise. We aim to build long-term partnerships with regulated firms, providing guidance on maintaining compliance throughout the year. From internal control reviews to staff training and process improvements, we ensure your systems remain effective and compliant as regulations evolve.

Our Accreditation & Partners

What our Clients Say About our Services

Andrew Minkow

We've used Sheen Stickland for many years to handle a number of services and provide advice related to all of our UK-based companies. Our team at Sheen has shifted over the years, but it has always been highly knowledgeable, professional, and consistently responsive to our needs, which have evolved and grown. Whether it's day-to-day bookkeeping, complex tax advice, payroll, or navigating UK-specific regulations, they always go above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Philip Haines

Taking over as Treasurer of a Community Benefit Society I was appalled at the fees being charged by this small firm of accountants who appeared to have no knowledge of our sphere of activities, imo. The Partner that was assigned to us was unhelpful and rude, imo. We terminated their services shortly afterwards and paid less in total for the 4 subsequent years, than with Sheen Stickland, in one year. The tax advice and service was also much better imo.

Private PA

We have been using the services of Sheen Stickland for a number of years, for tax returns, VAT returns, small company accounts and payroll. Paula Joyce and her team are reliable, approachable, responsive and a delight to deal with. They handle everything with a human touch and just make running our business so much easier. I can warmly recommend them.

H James

We have used Sheen Stickland’s services for our SME group for a number of years. The service they provide is excellent. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and quick to respond to any queries across a range of topics, with a wealth of expertise across their team. The team always ensure deadlines are met while accommodating timelines and availability on the client side. Highly recommended.

Gillian Silverthorn

I am so impressed with Sheen Stickland, I’ve never found a more professional company in my 45 years of business so I felt the need to review them and let them know. Mark Harding has been my main contact for personal and business accounts, he is super efficient replying promptly to every email or phone call. I honestly can’t recommend them enough Gillian