Introduction
At S4S, our specialist finance staff have many years of experience of working with Schools, Academies, Free Schools, Children’s Centres, Pupil Referral Units and Local Authorities and are all committed to providing you with the highest quality services and support.
Whilst we have a range of ready-made support packages available, we are happy to discuss your individual requirements and tailor our services to respond to the changing needs of your school.
You can be assured that our staff will conform to the latest legislation, meeting the standards expected by the DfE and the ESFA.
Strategic Financial Planning
We work closely with your leadership team to provide you with professional strategic advice, which supports you in making the right decisions and assists you in improving performance in your school.
Our Bursar Service provides an enhanced financial service, enabling schools to fulfil the management responsibilities of a delegated budget.
Effective Resource Management
Varying levels of finance support designed to ensure you make the most of available resources. Whether you want telephone support on routine matters, timely advice on statutory reporting from our finance specialists, or onsite support with accounting, benchmarking and analysis, our service packages will relieve the burden of financial management and enable you to focus on teaching and learning.
We can also provide you with experienced staff when you face a temporary absence of your financial administrator and assist you in recruitment and selection processes for posts that have a responsibility for school finances.
Supporting your systems and processes
Monthly balancing of the schools’ finance system and the Local Authority’s accounting system.
• Auditing of School Funds / unofficial funds
• Assistance in reviewing the Schools Financial Value Standard self-assessment
• Project consultancy and advice
Academy Finance and Business Support
The Academies Finance Service provides a range of support essential to the short-term and long-term success of both new and existing academies. Services include:
- Finance Director (FD) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) interim support and cover
- Mentoring and training newly appointed FD/CFO/AO
- Preparation of monthly reporting for Trust/MAT in compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook
- Budget planning and monitoring
- Preparation and detailed review of Trusts financial procedures and policies
- Finance support to individual academies within the Trust, to assist with the maintenance of accurate accounting records
- Conversion support for new Academy Trusts and schools joining an existing MAT
- Due Diligence support
- Trust year-end consolidated audit pack and support with audit
- Assistance with the preparation of statutory annual returns, BFRO, BFR, and Statutory Accounts
- Internal audit (RO)
- S4S offer a comprehensive training programme aimed at all members of school and academy staff and governors involved in school/Trust finance
- Our Procurement assistance will help you meet efficiency targets and ensure that you are able to obtain goods and services that provide value for money. We provide you with essential advice on available contracts, consortia agreements, supplier sourcing and support with the tender process
- Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning – working with our ICFP tool to assist your trust to develop or implement a consistent and effective approach to ICFP process
Academy Conversion Support
At Services 4 Schools we are committed to offering quality support at all stages of your conversion to academy status, providing a full and comprehensive turn-key solution including working with your legal partners.
Our aim is to:
• Provide a lead point of contact and regular updates through our unique communication tool
• To provide you with the highest quality professional support prior to, during and following conversion to academy status, which is specific to the school joining your trust
• To maintain a strong knowledge base in order to support you in compliance with legal and statutory requirements
New converter additional support
We are able to offer consultancy support, in addition to the conversion support to academies/MAT’s who may require additional support especially during the first year of conversion or for those who wish to source more support in achieving the standards outlined in the Academies Financial Handbook.
Bespoke Academy Training
Multi Academy Trust Growth Support
Finance Director (FD)/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Support
Termly Internal Assurance (RO) - Internal Scrutiny
Dedicated Helpdesk
Strategic Financial Consultancy
Central Trust System Support
Procurement Support
ESFA and Statutory Financial Returns
Support with the Preparation/Review of Trusts Financial Procedures and Policies
Assistance with the Academy Year End
Academy Finance Office Support
What Our Customers Say
I think Services 4 Schools’ greatest strength is their flexibility and adaptability. When we have needed additional advice and support – for example, when new schools have joined the trust, or a school has struggled with their new financial responsibilities – Services 4 Schools have been quick to react and provide the support we need. We have also been impressed with their ability to provide quality advice both at individual school level and finance director level
We swapped suppliers for our Enhanced RO Assurance testing service to S4S in 2020 after being dissatisifed with our big name previous provider.
I can say without hesitation that the level of knowledge and depth of evaluation carried out by S4S has been exceptional. The quality of the information and associated assurance level, we are now able to share with and report to.
I would not hesitate to unreservedly recommend S4S to anyone
S4S are a great support in managing aspects of the schools data and finance. Staff are helpful and supportive and provide advice and guidance throughout the academic year on a variety of subjects including Census, statutory submissions and budget management. The service is invaluable in saving time and resources particularly during busier periods of the school year.