Finance for maintained schools

Efficient and effective financial management is critical for any school and especially in times of change and financial challenge, this is a vital element to ensure success. Strong financial processes and access to timely and accurate financial information and forecasting is crucial in ensuring resources are allocated to achieve your goals.

We understand schools and appreciate the considerable challenge of supporting improved standards and providing value for money with limited resources. Our service provides specialist knowledge and advice for all aspects of school financial management – from system support, processes, procedures and compliance, to financial planning, modelling, monitoring, forecasting and deficit recovery.

  • Support for maintained schools includes three levels of subscription, depending on your financial requirements and expertise
  • All subscribers get a dedicated schools Finance Officer and receive a minimum of two visits per year – one to assist with annual budget setting and another to complete your revised budget. The number of additional visits is determined by the level of subscription purchased. These visits can be used for producing financial reports for governors, costing scenarios or for specific projects
  • All subscription levels include a weekly newsletter with up-to-date information, helpdesk access via telephone or email, a secure website providing information, guidance, tools and links to other useful websites and resources
  • All subscribers have access to a web based multi-year budget planning software with full training available
  • Further services are determined by your chosen level of service and could include monthly payroll reconciliations, maintenance of ledger codes, detail codes and cost centres, recoding transactions, reporting, journals, purchase card recodes, year-end transactions and accruals.

We offer a tailored service dependent on your needs. The following are some examples of support we can provide to all educational settings:

  • Provision of an experienced SBM to cover / support if key financial staff are absent due to long term sickness and vacancies etc
  • Assistance in identifying your requirements, development and administration of the recruitment of SBM and finance staff. We can also join an interview panel and advise on candidate responses to finance and technical questions if required
  • Integrated curriculum financial planning using the I-SOT tool to measure different variables to help with financial and resource management
  • Support to construct and prepare budget submissions
  • School fund audit support which includes good practice recommendations in respect of existing processes and procedures
  • Attendance at governor meetings to provide contextual information and technical explanations
  • Benchmarking using a variety of comparisons, produce and analyse reports.
We provide a comprehensive training programme designed to support SBMs, finance staff, head teachers and other members of the senior leadership team, whether new in post or experienced. Typical sessions include:

  • Preparing for year end and budget setting, budget monitoring reports and payroll reconciliations
  • Understanding and managing devolved formula capital
  • Schools funding
  • School fund management and reporting
  • Finance for school governors
  • The benefits of using cost centres in financial management
  • Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS)

Why choose us?

  • Our highly experienced schools finance team all hold relevant, professional qualifications including AAT, CSBM, CIMA and have many years working in the education finance sector. Their excellent understanding of a wide range of systems, policies, processes and procedures, and statutory / local regulations, gives you the confidence to always feel supported
  • We are friendly, knowledgeable, accessible and quick to respond to any educational financial question or queries in plain English, ensuring you always receive responsive, trusted advice, as well as key support and access to invaluable time saving tools
  • You can help reduce staff anxiety and save time by accessing an experienced member of our team to support you when you need it
  • You have access to our invaluable, informative and timely training sessions, which support professional development and knowledge, helping your team to better manage their understanding of an everchanging financial landscape.

For more information call Deb Luter: 01454 865907 or email: deb.luter@southglos.gov.uk

Testimonials

Kevin Walke, School Business Manager
Holy Family Primary School

The support we receive from Integra Schools Finance, especially our SFO, is first class. Nothing is too much trouble and having your SFO at your back during the critical times of the year is indispensable.

Karl Hemmings, Headteacher
Emersons Green Primary School

The support and advice we receive from our School Finance Officer is always timely, accurate and exceptionally helpful. She shows excellent understanding of the complex issues facing schools regarding managing budgets and always takes time to effectively address our individual issues.