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    Leveraging data and insights in UK MATs with Sisra Analytics

    Finance management services for schools and trusts

    Our specialist education finance team helps schools and trusts, UK-wide, take charge of their budgets, stay audit-ready, and make informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed.

    Supporting school leaders day in, day out

    “We’re under pressure to meet reporting deadlines, stay in budget, and plan for the future, all at once.” 

    From small schools to growing MATs, school finance teams are stretched. We know that many CFOs and SBMs are managing budgets while juggling compliance, staff training, and strategic reporting, often without enough time, tools or internal capacity. 

    Whether you need one-off support or long-term financial planning, Juniper’s finance specialists work with you to build sustainable budgets, robust systems, and stronger outcomes. 

    Schedule a consultation

     

    What Juniper's Finance service includes:

    Extend your Finance Essentials with flexible modules designed to strengthen key financial areas, from daily reconciliations to long-term financial planning.​

    Reconciliations & Financial Controls
    Core

    Finance Essentials

    Every school and trust starts with Finance Essentials. Support includes:​

    • Dedicated advice line
    • Core finance training access​ 

    • Knowledge Hub​
    • Termly finance updates
    Reconciliations & Financial Controls​
    Optional module

    Reconciliations & Financial Controls​

    Keep daily financial processes accurate and compliant.​

    • Bank, payroll, and ledger reconciliations
    • Income and VAT checks​
    • Control process reviews and  adjustments
    Financial Performance & Insights​
    Optional module

    Financial Performance & Insights​

    Turn financial data into actionable insights for leaders and governors.​

    • Draft and final forward  financial forecasts

    • Forecast walkthroughs and consultations

    • Financial health reporting for leadership and boards
    Budget Planning & Oversight
    Optional module

    Statutory Compliance & Returns​

    Specialist support for key statutory returns and audit preparation.​

    • SFVS and SRMSAT submissions
    • Year-end accounts and returns
    • Local authority financial  submissions
    Budget Planning & Oversight
    Optional module

    Budget Planning & Oversight​

    Expert help to build robust budgets aligned to school priorities.​

    • Budget building and multi-year planning
    • Consultation and review sessions
    • Board and leadership support for budget oversight

    Specialist finance support when things get more ​complex

    Unlike generalist providers,we’re education-only

    Juniper’s finance consultants are ACCA, CIPFA, and AAT-qualified specialists who work exclusively with schools and trusts, bringing deep sector knowledge to every engagement. ​

    Whether it’s forecasting, audits, or recovery planning, our retained and specialist services provide practical, hands-on support that strengthens governance and reduces leadership strain. ​

    Unlike generalist providers, we’re education-only, ensuring your financial processes meet the unique demands of school funding, compliance, and reporting.​

    Schedule a consultation

    View our specialist support

    Financial Forecasting​

    Multi-year forecasts and scenario planning for better financial visibility.​

    Deficit Recovery Planning​

    Expert support to create structured deficit recovery plans.​

    Onsite Presence & Board Attendance​

    In-person finance support and reporting at leadership meetings.​

    Finance Staff & Leadership Recruitment​

    Support with recruiting and onboarding school-sector finance roles.​

    Internal Scrutiny & Audits​

    Independent audits and scrutiny to support governance and compliance.​

    School/Trust Specific Projects​

    Bespoke finance support for one-off projects and reviews.​

    Who is Juniper Education's finance management service for?

    ✓  Maintained schools and academies needing hands-on finance support

    ✓  MATs wanting to improve consistency, control and reporting across sites

    ✓  School leaders navigating staff changes, income shortfalls or DfE compliance pressures

    ✓  CFOs looking to scale or consolidate Trust finance strategy

    Schedule a consultation

    Meet some of your finance team

    We work with Finance teams across the country, from one-form-entry primaries to fast-growing MATs, to give them clarity, structure and strategy.

    Vicki Vidler

    Finance Support Coordinator

    Vicky Vider - Finance Support Coordinator 01

    Vicki joined Juniper in January 2024 after working in a Support and Accounts role locally for the past few years. She also has an additional 20 years' experience in similar Account roles. 

    Read Vicki's bio

    Beverley McMurtry

    Senior Finance Consultant

    Beverley McMurty - Support Consultant (3)

    Beverley joined the Essex Education Team in October 2008. She holds an AAT qualification and has over 40 years of experience working in finance, 15 of which are in education finance. 

    Read Beverley's bio

    Mara Iovan

    Education Finance Consultant

    Mara Lovan - Finance Consultant (1)

    Mara joined Juniper in January 2023 after a short but memorable career as a School Business Manager. While she enjoyed many aspects of the role, it was the finance tasks that truly sparked her interest.

    Read Mara's bio

    Jean-Lila Hale

    Finance Consultant

    Jean‐Lila Hale (1)

    Over the 14 years of Jean’s career, she has 11 years of audit experience within the insurance and education industries. Jean has worked for Juniper Education for over 5 years, previously within the internal scrutiny team and now as part of the education finance team.

    Read Jean's bio
    Besa
    Cyber essentials
    CIPFA-1

    What do schools think of Juniper Finance?

    Helping schools avoid deficits, prepare for audits and plan for growth. 

    I cannot do my job properly without Juniper’s support, knowledge, and expertise. Juniper really gets Academies and Trusts.
    Jo Sladden Chief Finance and Operations Officer at Hornchurch Academy Trust

    Schools choose us because we're experts in school finance management solutions

    ✓  Finance consultants who specialise in the education sector

    ✓  Support aligned to both compliance and strategic priorities 

    ✓  Seamless support for schools and MATs at every stage of growth

    ✓  Named specialists, not faceless finance helplines

    ✓  Integrated with HR, governance and internal scrutiny services.

     

    Because school finance isn’t just about accuracy. It’s about sustainability. 

    Schedule a consultation

    Finance that works better when connected to HR and governance

    Our finance services integrate with Juniper’s HR consultancy, governance guidance, and internal scrutiny support - helping you lead more efficiently, and evidence impact more clearly. 

    Free resources

    All free to download, built by our education finance specialists.

    staff-induction-checklist

    10 Top Tips for Maximising Your School Budget

     

    → Download here

    Hr Policies and Procedures guide

    What’s it really like to be a School Business Manager?

     

    → Read blog

    HR Equality

    A MAT Leaders Guide to Better Buying Guide

     

    → Download here

      

    Find out how Sonar Multi-School can support your MAT

    • Holistic trust-wide insights
    • Target interventions for improved pupil achievement
    • Highlight areas for strategic Continued Professional Development (CPD)  

      

    Discover every single saving with our finance services

    We help you to manage the day-to-day school budget so you can focus on your financial strategy.

    • Troubleshooting finance issues, monthly reconciliations, cash flow and trading accounts management
    • Month-end reporting to headteachers and governors/trustees
    • Annual budgets and forward financial planning, year-end processing and statutory returns to DfE/LA

    Trusted nationwide

    Supporting CFOs, SBMs and trust leaders across the UK.

    Finance Customer - Juniper