Confident Budget Setting for Academies 2026

About this course

A practical, training session designed to equip school business professionals with the skills, confidence and clarity to lead effective budget setting and financial planning within academies and multi-academy trusts.

From understanding the budgeting cycle to reviewing staffing, income streams, expenditure and capital planning, this course supports finance teams through every part of the budget process.

What will the course cover

• The budgeting cycle – A clear overview of the full budget process, key timeframes, and approval stages. Understand different approaches to budget-setting — whether academy-led, Trust-led or a collaborative model.
• Reviewing your staffing with SLT – How to work with senior leaders to align staffing costs with operational priorities and curriculum needs.
• Income streams – How to interpret and plan for GAG statements, Pupil Premium allocations, UIFSM, 16-19 funding, School Budget Support Grant and other income sources.
• Expenditure planning – Best practice for mapping, forecasting and controlling core expenditure.
• Capital budgeting – Strategic planning for capital spend: what to include, how to prioritise and how to present it.
• SBS Financial Planner –Using SBS Financial Planner effectively to streamline your budget build and reporting, with tips on features that support accuracy and efficiency.

What you will gain

• Gain structured understanding of the academy/Trust budgeting cycle
• Learn practical approaches to staffing reviews with leadership teams
• Increase confidence in analysing and forecasting income and expenditure
• Understand capital budgeting principles
• Leave with actionable insights you can apply immediately to your budget process

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• School Business Managers (SBMs)
• Finance Managers
• Accountants and Finance Business Partners
• Trust CFOs and Finance Leads
• Anyone with responsibility for or involvement in budget setting within schools and academy trusts
  
  

Course Format

• Delivered live online via Teams
• Includes interactive discussions, practical examples and time for Q&A

Dates

Thursday 12th February 10am-12pm

Wednesday 25th February 2-4pm

There is a maximum of 20 delegates per session. These places will be allocated first come first serve, after the maximum number has been reached our team will be in touch to suggest alternative dates for the training. 

Price

£99 + VAT per delegate