Attenborough Learning Trust is a multi-academy trust in Leicester, launched in April 2019 with four schools. The trust has grown rapidly in the past two years and now numbers nine schools across the city.
Soon after the trust was established a decision was made to replace budget management systems inherited from the local authority. After a competitive tender School Business Services’ Financial Planner – a budgeting tool which helps multi-academy trusts streamline financial planning, simplify complex budgeting and make the most of funding – was chosen.
Schools are responsible for monthly invoices and their own payroll but a central service team, which includes Finance Manager Tom Bott, sets the strategic direction. Once this process is complete the school budgets go to local governing bodies and then the trust resources committee. “We’ll then we’ll create an in-year budget, which we’ll match throughout the year for payroll,” Tom explains. “Financial Planner is a good tool for payroll tracking and will pick up errors where we’ve over or under budgeted".
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SBS Financial Planner was built for MATs, by people who understand the pressures of multi-academy finance. It streamlines processes, and eliminates the inconsistencies that slow budget cycles down.
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