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Posted on 4th December 2025
The MAT Standard: Why MAT Finance Leaders Need More Than Traditional Budgeting Tools
Education finance is changing fast and many finance leaders are asking for more from the tools they rely on every day. They need systems that give clarity, confidence, and control, not just more data to process. Meet the MAT Standard - for finance leaders who expect more.
Posted on 28th November 2025
What the 2025 UK Budget Means for Schools and Trusts
The Chancellor’s November 2025 Budget made national headlines, but for schools, trusts, and local authorities, the key question is how it affects day-to-day budgets, staffing, and the services pupils rely on.
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Posted on 20th November 2025
How a Finance Service Desk Supports Schools & Trusts: A Day in the Life of a Finance Team
This article explores how the SBS Finance Service Desk provides immediate, expert support when it matters most, from troubleshooting system glitches to guiding best practice.
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Posted on 17th November 2025
Pension news for Trusts: What to prepare for LGPS surplus
A surprising LGPS surplus could significantly reduce trusts’ pension contribution costs from 2026, and this article explains what you need to prepare now to maximise the financial benefits.
Posted on 5th November 2025
DfE Updates Guidance on Severance Payments for Academies: What You Need to Know
The DfE has released updated guidance on severance payments for academy trusts, clarifying the approval process, reporting requirements, and expectations for demonstrating value for money.
Posted on 22nd October 2025
Time For Dynamism in Trust Management Accounts
Kelly Crawford of School Business Services on why a shift to more responsive management accounting could aid trusts as they navigate through difficult times.
Posted on 8th October 2025
Flexibility is The Watchword When Managing SEND Staffing Pressures
SEND is perhaps the biggest challenge for budget decision-makers in Trusts and schools today. Bethan Whyman of School Business Services explores the issues and offers some solutions.
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Posted on 10th September 2025
Take a Holistic View of ICFP
The challenge of balancing quality education with tight budgets is ever present and requires a coordinated approach that leads to decisions on education and finances being taken together. That’s why Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP) is now becoming an increasingly vital tool across our sector.
Posted on 27th August 2025
6 Ways to Enhance Your IRIS Financials System in 2025
Have you considered these areas and how they could benefit staff, finance & accounting best practice and data integrity?
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Posted on 21st August 2025
How Can ICFP Help You Make Your School or Trust More Efficient?
At School Business Services, we’ve developed SBS ICFP, a cloud-based tool that brings this process to life by combining live financial, staffing, and curriculum data in one easy-to-use platform.
Posted on 7th August 2025
Tightening Up Scrutiny Isn’t Just For the Big Players
Amelia Clark, Head of Internal Scrutiny at School Business Services, on why exacting new Internal Scrutiny requirements coming in later this year shouldn’t just apply to the largest Trusts.
Posted on 24th July 2025
What Is a School Fund Audit?
Many maintained schools operate a separate account known as a School Fund. But how are these funds managed and monitored? That’s where a School Fund Audit comes in.