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Access Education Budgets

Financial management for independent schools

As an independent school, your commitment to delivering exceptional learning experiences is unwavering. And you no doubt understand the critical role of effective financial management, particularly in this challenging climate.

Access Budgets is here to make this process efficient and strategic, enabling you to allocate resources wisely, plan for the future, and maintain a sustainable financial model.

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The choice of financial accounting software for private schools

Join the growing number of independent schools who have switched to Access Education products to help streamline their school management processes. Designed by education experts, your independent school is in safe hands with Access Education Budgets.

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Addressing your financial challenges

No two independent schools are the same. Therefore, managing the financial aspects of your setting is a complex endeavor. We're here to help you overcome the hurdles.

Why choose our budgeting software for independent schools?

School specific

Designed for schools, our easy-to-use software makes it easy for non-finance staff as well as school finance professionals to manage budgets.

Secure and cloud-based

100% cloud-based with secure access through Access Workspace, anytime, anywhere.

5-year forecasting

Forecast and plan your school budget for up to 5 years, increasing your visibility so your school can avoid deficits and track spending. Tweak as needed from the ‘snapshot’ view, avoiding manual data analysis and entry.

Scenario planning

Model the financial impact of multiple scenarios such as changes in staff, pay, pupils, income, expenditure and more. This is now even easier with our latest budget forecasting functionality, allowing you to make changes within the ‘snapshot’ view.

Powerful reporting

Produce and view powerful reports, including income and expenditure, monthly staffing profile and pupil reports all in real-time.

Customised reporting

We work with you to ensure you have all the reports you need at your fingertips to communicate your financial health to key stakeholders.

Salary modelling

Understand the impact of your school’s biggest cost to estimate your end of year outturn and plan your school budget. Easily model and monitor changes to staff costs and benefit from automatic payroll calculations.

Income & expenditure

Track, manage and report on all your school’s income and expenditure to ensure your budget stays on track.

Find out how our financial accounting software for private schools can help you plan for the future

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Reforecasting feature now available in the Snapshot view

Revolutionise budget management with direct adjustments, eliminating manual updates

Now you can track your budget year-round, tweaking it as needed - based on expected outcomes, end-of-year projections, and variances, all from one convenient view. 

Bid farewell to manual data analysis and entry, and welcome faster decision-making, time savings, and enhanced data quality.

Watch a 9-minute demo

Calculate, plan and model staff costs

Your biggest cost is your staff. Ensuring your numbers are accurate and adaptable is crucial.

  • Quick salary calculator
  • Automatic payroll calculations
  • Staff costs for contracts, pay scales, pensions and allowances
  • Payroll reconciliation

Scenario planning and 5-year forecasting with our school budgeting software

Create precise 5-year budgets and forecasts with school-specific settings

Our system calculates staff costs, considering contracts, scales, FTE hours, pensions, and allowances.

Easily model 'What if?' scenarios for staff, pay, pupil numbers, income, or expenses, empowering you to craft effective short, medium, and long-term plans. This saves time with simplified decision-making for short, medium, and long-term plans.

Plus, utilise our latest budget adjustment feature for real-time modifications based on evolving variables.

 

Generate comprehensive reports and returns

An extensive reporting suite allows you to quickly generate customisable, easy-to-understand reports in a variety of formats, including:

  • Income and expenditure
  • Monthly staffing profile and pupil reports
  • Payroll reconciliation
  • A comprehensive budget dashboard

 

Budgeting resources for independent schools

01 08

School financial management software vs budgeting spreadsheets: Which is better for independent schools?

In this article, learn all about financial management software for independent schools, including:

  • Pros and cons of using it in place of spreadsheets
  • How Access Education Budgets can benefit your independent school
Read guide
02 08

Independent schools: Futureproofing your school budget

In our webinar, Education Software Expert Michelle Sadler introduces Access Education Budgets and its new features for independent schools.

  • See an overview of Access Education Budgets, our cost-effective solution that allows you to easily and efficiently manage your finances in the short, medium and long-term
  • See the new features specifically built for the needs of independent schools
Watch webinar
03 08

Introducing Budget Monitoring Snapshots – Budget Adjustments

This press release covers:

  • About Access Education Budgets
  • Evolution of our snapshot functionality
  • New budget adjustments: what is it? How does it benefit you?
  • What else is planned for development
Read press release
04 08

Independent schools: A guide to effectively managing your budget in changing times

Download the guide to discover...

  • Current educational climate
  • Benefits of effective budgeting management
  • Actionable steps to set your school up for success
Read guide
05 08

Why consider education budgeting for your independent school?

This fact sheet covers...

  • What is budgeting software?
  • How can education budgeting software help independent schools?
Read fact sheet
06 08

Planning and forecasting your school budget effectively

This guide takes you through...

  • Key stages of the school budget preparation process
  • Gives you practical advice for better planning
  • Provides hints and tips for more accurate forecasting
Read guide
07 08

Budget deficits - A guide to avoidance and recovery

Our guide looks at: 

  • The importance of planning and most common budgeting mistakes
  • Key tips for budgeting your staffing costs
  • Key recruitment tips 
  • Keeping costs under control and what budgeting tools are available to help 
Read guide
08 08

Best practices for school budget planning

The positive impact behind a comprehensive, robust budgeting process can be financial, reputational and educationally beneficial. Schools and trusts that have control over their budgeting process can focus on wider school objectives around teaching, attainment and student wellbeing. 

Read guide

Check out our FAQs

What is Budgeting Software for Independent Schools, and how can it benefit my institution?

Our software is a tailored solution designed to streamline financial management for independent schools. It offers features like automated payroll calculations, scenario planning, staff cost analysis, fee billing and more. By using this software, you can efficiently manage your school's finances and make data-driven decisions.

How can the software assist in resource allocation across various departments?

The software simplifies resource allocation by offering real-time financial visibility. It helps distribute funds efficiently for academic excellence, facilities maintenance, and staff compensation.

The scenario planning feature lets you experiment with allocation strategies to find the best fit for your school's goals.

Is the software customisable to our school's unique needs?

Yes, the software can be tailored to fit your school's specific requirements. Our solution includes dedicated time with an experienced consultant who will ensure the system is setup in the way you need it to be. You can customise expense categories, revenue streams, school fees and reporting formats to align with your institution's unique financial structure.

How can we get started with budgeting software for independent schools?

To get started, simply reach out to our team for a demonstration and consultation. We'll walk you through the software's features, discuss your school's specific needs, and guide you through the implementation and training process.