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Education finance support

The education finance landscape is ever-changing. Let us guide you...

Our education financial management services have been robustly developed over the years to provide schools and academies with expert advice and support in all areas of school and academy finance.

We understand the complex world of education finance and can work with you to plan, strategise and budget in the most cost-effective way – aligning with your finance policy, operational and strategic goals.

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From day-to-day transactions and month-end to financial planning and statutory returns, we can help you streamline processes and reach your financial and organisational goals.

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We're a team of finance specialists, with an in-depth knowledge of school and academy finance. We can give you expert advice, guidance and support.

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Available from 8am-8pm, 7 days a week, for all your finance, accounting and software queries.

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Financial and governance internal audit. Giving you peace of mind that your school, academy or MAT is running efficiently and effectively.

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Access your files, applications, and systems, anytime and anywhere in the world with our safe and secure server.

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Our consultants can perform short and long-term finance roles – including the role of chief financial officer, finance manager, finance officer and all transactional support duties.

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We have an unrivalled knowledge of the education sector and understand the extensive processes involved with MAT setup and expansion.

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93 %
email & telephone enquiries resolved within 3 hours
100 %
of our academies achieve an unqualified audit opinion after working with us for a period of time
70 %
of our customers are from word-of-mouth referrals

School & academy finance support


Here's an example of what we can support your school with:

  • Strategic, operational and transactional support
  • Budgeting and medium-term forecasting
  • Month-end and year-end
  • VAT claims and reconciliations
  • Financial controls
  • Internal audit and system reviews
  • ESFA and DfE returns and submissions
  • Financial planning and recovery
  • Interim cover for any finance role
  • Fully outsourced service

Key features

Round-the-clock
support

Our phone lines are open from 8 am-8 pm, 7 days a week, with an out-of-hours emergency line 

Supporting
leading finance software

We’re an accredited support & training partner of IRIS Financials
We also support all leading finance software including IMP Software, FMS, Civica, Access Education, Sage & Xero

Industry-leading
knowledge

Our dedicated experts can help you navigate the complex world of education finance
All finance specialists within the team have a notable background in education finance

Planning. Strategy.
Growth.

A wealth of experience in school and academy finance – saving you time, money and resource whilst guiding you in the right direction

Compliant &
accountable

We understand your roles and responsibilities - and can work with you to ensure your finance function is compliant - meeting obligations and exceeding standards

Tailored & 
personalised

We provide a personalised service for each client based on their needs

Finance helpdesk

Round-the-clock support

Our finance helpdesk is open from 8 am-8 pm, 7 days a week for all your finance, software and accounting queries!

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MAT setup & expansion

The government's goal is to build strong multi-academy trusts.  MAT setup and expansion is often a complex process that requires comprehensive thought and planning.

We can support with:

  • Due diligence
  • Implementation of finance system
  • Policies and procedures 
  • MAT centralisation 
  • Strategic financial advice

SAAF have extensive experience with setup and expansion and can support the end-to-end process.

Strategic financial planning

Let us guide you - we can work with you to strategically plan ahead.

Get guidance and advice on annual budget setting, medium-term financial planning, establishing an efficient finance function, and financial recovery from our team of experts.

Academy conversion

We can provide expert guidance and support on the financial management implications of academy conversion

Get specialist advice on accounting policies, academy banking arrangements, academies chart of accounts and more.

The breadth of knowledge and understanding from within the education sector is a core strength we value immensely. I would describe the services as responsive, solution-focused, and flexible to our needs.

CEO, Raleigh Learning Trust

Introducing SAAF Cloud

Data at your fingertips

Introducing our all-new cloud-hosting solution for schools, academies, and MATs. Scalable, resilient, and secure. 

SAAF Cloud can be accessed anytime and anywhere in the world, allowing your school staff to safely and securely access your files, applications, and systems. 

Our low-cost solution keeps your data safe and secure in a robust and continuously accessible environment.   

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Looking to outsource a long or short-term finance role?

From transactional to operational support, our specialists can step into an internal role within your finance team - including a leadership, officer, or support role.

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Book your free
finance system review

Our free finance system reviews ensure your internal operations are working as effectively as possible, giving you peace of mind. We support all leading finance software and are an accredited support and training partner of IRIS Financials.

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Join our
finance training sessions

We also offer bespoke 1-2-1
or group training sessions

View our sessions

Customer loyalty programme

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and that’s why we want to reward them for their loyalty.  Find out more about our customer referral scheme.

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Great service provided by SAAF. I know that I can contact them to sort out any issues.

Business Manager, Foxwood Academy

I am new to my role as Finance Manager and I could not find the SAAF team more helpful and supportive, nothing is ever too much trouble. Fantastic company and service. Thank you.

Finance Manager, St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School

The breadth of knowledge and understanding from within the education sector is a core strength we value immensely. I would describe the services as responsive, solution-focused, and flexible to our needs.

CEO, Raleigh Learning Trust

We think you offer a great service at a great price. We have worked with you for a very long time now and have always been impressed by the quality that you offer. Great job!

CEO, Nottingham Schools Trust

We have worked with SAAF for over 2 years, and they have yet to let us down. Our consultant has been fantastic throughout this time and has been open and honest about every aspect of our interactions, always going the extra mile to support us. I would recommend their services to anybody without hesitation.

Acting Deputy Head, Hull Primary School

SAAF act as an extension of our finance team. They are very transparent and always respond immediately to our queries. We also really appreciate the training they provide, and our team regularly attend their session.

CEO, Willows Academy Trust

SAAF provide the school with a high-quality level of support and advice. Our advisor is always helpful and responds quickly to any queries. He has extremely good knowledge of budgetary issues that may affect the school and is on hand to offer advice.

School Business Manager, West Bridgford Infant School

The team are easily contacted via telephone or email and always respond promptly to our calls. We have had excellent service from them and would fully recommend them.

Headteacher, Seely Primary School

From my first meeting with the SAAF team to date they have a calm, reassuring and no-nonsense approach to Academy Finance. Thank you I couldn’t do this role without you.

School Business Manager, St Philip Neri Primary & Nursery School

SAAF consultants are very knowledgeable and offer timely guidance and support. Governors are pleased with the service received from SAAF. Highly recommended to school considering financial support packages.

Headteacher, Sneinton C of E Primary School

The response to queries is fast and the guidance and support given is relevant and productive. We highly recommend SAAF as a company that ensure quality service that you can be confident about. SAAF helps you sleep easy at night! No worries!

Headteacher, St Patrick’s Catholic Voluntary Academy

The consultant assigned to our school always goes the extra mile to help me, with any problems that arise.

School Business Manager, Southglade Primary School

My main contact is Cloe Harris and I could not find her more helpful and supportive, nothing is ever too much trouble for her. Fantastic company and service. Thank you.

Finance Manager, St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School

It has been a pleasure to work with SAAF, you have transformed our relationship with PSF and our ability to move it forward.

Director of Finance, Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership

We found SAAF to be very professional, friendly, and collaborative. Their recommendations have helped us strengthen our procedures in accordance with the Academy Trust Handbook. They were very thorough in the deep dive into our processes and as a result, have helped us to gain more attention to detail.

Director of Resources, The Southfield Trust

We have worked with SAAF for several years now and always find them efficient, knowledgeable, and supportive. If there are any issues with my reports, they are scrutinised and sorted for me promptly. I would recommend them to any school looking for a new provider.

Business Manager, Cantrell Primary School

Our school has worked with SAAF for the past 10 years for Financial support and 8 years for Payroll support. In all this time we have found them to be very efficient, helpful and supportive. All staff have great knowledge of their area of expertise and are very personable. We would highly recommend the SAAF team.

Business Manager, Glade Hill Primary School

Thank you so much for your ongoing support; SAAF have been a life saver for us!

Business Manager, Idsall School

Regarding SAAF, our Trust has found them a very valued partner who are both knowledgeable and responsive to our requests. They have worked with us on numerous projects and are always available when we have needed them.

Accountant, Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership

Excellent financial services for a Multi Academy Trust

Chief Executive Officer, Lubavitch Multi Academy Trust

I have found your service to be extremely professional and am so happy we came to you.

Business Manager, Heritage Park and Holgate Meadows Schools

The team have been a great support at a time of staff shortages. They quickly picked up our systems and processes and worked with us to improve them to keep business continuity, just what we needed and we are still working with SAAF, one year on.

Business Manager, The Misbourne

The financial support has been first class with highly trained people providing expert advice and guidance.

Headteacher, Claremont Primary and Nursery School

The information SAAF provide is always clear and up-to-date. The team are helpful and are always willing to support my finance colleagues. I personally find SAAF Webinars a really valuable source of information.

Finance Director, The Partnership Trust

The SAAF Team is offering us excellent technical knowledge and support with strategic insights to improve our processes and better use our systems. I would definitely recommend their services.

CFO, River Learning Trust

'The support from SAAF has been brilliant, with help being available as and when it is needed, allowing you to progress at your own pace. The team are very responsive, and customer driven, so knowledge of the education sector is outstanding. The support we have received has exceeded our expectations!'

Finance and Operations Manager, The Blue Kite Academy Trust

Are you a current finance client?

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Cover all bases

Save time, money and resources with our range of cost-effective school business support services

Outsourced School Payroll

Easy paydays. Guaranteed accuracy. Smooth transfers from your old provider. Find out more about our payroll, pensions and HR bureau today!

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School Recruitment Support

How many recruitment agencies can say they’ve never charged a temp-to-perm recruitment fee? We understand that recruitment costs can be expensive, that’s why we also offer fixed margins.

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School Internal Audit & Finance System Reviews

Get peace of mind that your internal operations are functioning effectively and efficiently, with our internal audit and finance system reviews.

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In partnership with

Hull and East Yorkshire Children's University
APSCo UK
Association of Business Leaders in Education
IRIS - Accredited Support and Training Partner
Institute of School Business Leadership - Approved Partner
AssetTrac
ICS Funding Services
Crescent Purchasing Consortium - Framework Supplier

Some of our clients

Let's talk

From transactional to strategic support, why not get in touch today to find out how we can support you?

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