School financial management software

Our school financial management system is designed specifically for the education sector, integrating budgeting, payroll, and finance tools in one cloud-based platform. It offers school-specific features like scenario planning, 5-year forecasting, and compliance with DfE and ESFA requirements. With real-time reporting and seamless integrations, it helps schools, academies, and higher education institutions manage their finances more effectively.

Yes! Our financial management software for schools is intuitive and designed for use by both finance professionals and non-finance staff. Its easy-to-use interface and automated features make budgeting and financial management straightforward for all users, regardless of their financial expertise.

Absolutely. Our software provides multi-academy trusts with consolidated reporting, centralised budget management, and compliance oversight. You can streamline financial processes across all your academies while maintaining control over individual budgets.

Find out more:

Finance for MATs | Access Education Finance (theaccessgroup.com)

Budgeting for MATs | Access Education Budgets (theaccessgroup.com)

Our software is fully compliant with DfE and ESFA requirements, ensuring schools and academies can easily meet their regulatory obligations. Automated updates ensure you are always in line with the latest regulations, and you can generate reports like the Consistent Financial Report (CFR) quickly and accurately.

Our software integrates seamlessly with your existing HR, payroll, and financial management systems, including third-party platforms like PS Financials, Sage, and SIMS. This ensures data flows smoothly between your systems, reducing manual entry and improving accuracy.

Yes, our software includes robust payroll and staff cost management features. It automatically calculates payroll costs, including National Insurance, pensions, and pay scale updates, and allows for easy monitoring and adjustments in real time. You can even reconcile payroll with your budget for greater accuracy.

Our scenario planning and 5-year forecasting tools allow you to model multiple financial scenarios and plan for the future with confidence. Whether it’s changes in staffing, pupil numbers, or income, you can assess the financial impact and make data-driven decisions to ensure long-term stability.

Yes, our financial management software is highly customisable. You can tailor the chart of accounts, reports, and user access profiles to meet the specific needs of your school, academy, or higher education institution.

Absolutely. We offer dedicated customer support to help with any questions or issues you may encounter. Our team is here to assist you with everything from setup and training to ongoing use of the software.

Find out more: Access Financial software support webinar (theaccessgroup.com)

Effective financial management in education ensures that schools use their resources efficiently, meet educational goals, and remain financially stable. It helps schools plan for the future, allocate funds appropriately, manage staff costs, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Scenario planning allows schools to model different financial situations, such as changes in pupil enrollment, staffing levels, or government funding. This helps schools understand the potential impact of different variables on their finances, enabling them to make informed decisions and plan for the future.

Schools often face challenges such as fluctuating funding, rising staff costs, maintaining compliance with regulatory bodies, and ensuring accurate budgeting and forecasting. Managing these financial complexities with limited administrative resources can be daunting, which is why the right financial management tools are essential.

Find out more: Finance leadership roundtable webinar: Insider perspectives on the education financial landscape  (theaccessgroup.com)

Schools can manage their budgets more effectively by creating detailed, long-term financial plans, tracking income and expenditure in real time, and using scenario planning tools to model different financial situations. Regular monitoring and adjustment of budgets can also help prevent overspending and deficits.

Find out more: How to plan and forecast your school budget effectively (theaccessgroup.com)

Pupil numbers directly affect funding and income for schools, as many funding formulas are based on the number of students enrolled. A drop in pupil numbers can lead to decreased funding, making it important for schools to plan for potential fluctuations and adjust their budgets accordingly.

Schools should regularly update their financial forecasts—ideally every term or after any significant changes in funding, staff, or pupil numbers. Regular updates allow schools to stay on top of their financial health and make proactive adjustments as needed.

Key financial reports for schools include income and expenditure statements, budget forecasts, cash flow reports, payroll reconciliation, and regulatory reports like the Consistent Financial Report (CFR). These reports provide insights into the school’s financial performance and help ensure compliance with local and national regulations.