Schools' Financial Services

We help schools focus on teaching rather than on the administration of payments, with friendly and practical support and advice. This service is aimed at schools that do not operate their own bank accounts. Our team has a proven track record of managing payments for schools accurately, effectively and efficiently and we ensure compliance with relevant regulations. This service helps you mitigate the risk of cash-flow management.

Features of our service include:

• Processing of invoices carried out within 30 days of receipt
• Register, scan and action payments on Unit4 Business World goods receipt
• High level of accuracy in processing payments
• Make payments to suppliers and send remittances, with compliance to various deadlines set out
• Compliance with HMRC - VAT/CIS etc. regulations for dedications
• Training to ensure accurate use of the system and processes
• Maintenance of the supplier master file.

For more information, please contact the Payments Team on 01432 260271 or email us.

Our Basic Finance service provides telephone and e-mail support, information and financial advice to guide you through the financial year. We provide essential information to assist with budget planning and we submit end of year accounts to the Department for Education (DfE) in the Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) format. We offer one annual budget check/review meeting (basic service only) conducted remotely via Teams.  Schools are expected to prepare their budget in advance for checking and have all relevant information available.

Features of our service include:

• Appropriate information and guidance provided on a timely basis
• Information provided is accurate, clear and unambiguous
• Meaningful discussions and advice that reflect current thinking and practices
• Returns to central government made in a timely manner and reflect the annual income and expenditure recorded in Unit4 Business World

For more information, please contact the School Finance Team on 01432 261580 or e-mail us.

In addition to all the features of our Basic service, our Standard service includes a termly visit to support your school's leadership team and provide help and advice to the school finance administrators and governors. This will include preparation prior to the meeting and follow-up actions arising from the visit.

Please note all meetings under the Standard and Enhanced SLA must be taken during the term in which they are due.  Schools will not be able to carry them forward to the following term without prior agreement and only under exceptional circumstances.

For more information, please contact the School Finance Team on 01432 261580 or e-mail us.

In addition to all the features of our Basic service, our Standard service includes a termly visit to support your school's leadership team and provide help and advice to the school finance administrators and governors. This will include preparation prior to the meeting and follow-up actions arising from the visit.

Please note all meetings under the Standard and Enhanced SLA must be taken during the term in which they are due.  Schools will not be able to carry them forward to the following term without prior agreement and only under exceptional circumstances.

The price will be held at the same rate for the three years of the SLA.

For more information, please contact the School Finance Team on 01432 261580 or e-mail us.

In addition to all the features of our Standard service, our Enhanced service includes 2 termly visits.

Please note all meetings under the Standard and Enhanced SLA must be taken during the term in which they are due.  Schools will not be able to carry them forward to the following term without prior agreement and only under exceptional circumstances.

For more information, please contact the School Finance Team on 01432 261580 or e-mail us.

In addition to all the features of our Standard service, our Enhanced service includes 2 termly visits.

Please note all meetings under the Standard and Enhanced SLA must be taken during the term in which they are due.  Schools will not be able to carry them forward to the following term without prior agreement and only under exceptional circumstances.

The price will be held at the same rate for the three years of the SLA.

For more information, please contact the School Finance Team on 01432 261580 or e-mail us.