Strategic finance support that gives schools clarity, confidence and control

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

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. 

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

Vicki Vidler

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. 

Beverley McMurtry

Support Consultant

Beverley McMurty - Support Consultant (1)

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. 

Mara Lovan

Education Finance Consultant

Mara Lovan - Finance Consultant

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.

What sets Juniper Finance apart?

A modular approach to support, built around your schools size, needs and growth ambitions.

All services delivered remotely - flexible, scalable, and designed to support schools and Trusts nationwide. 

Finance Services

Finance Services

  • Budget setting and forecasting (short- and long-term) 
  • DFE returns and compliance submissions 
  • Year-end and audit preparation 

  • Reconciliations and financial reporting 

  • Support for MAT centralisation or school conversions  
Strategic HR

Strategic Planning Support

  • SIP-aligned financial strategy 
  • Three-year budget planning and scenario modelling 
  • MAT growth & consolidation planning 

  • Insights to support Trustee, Board and stakeholder confidence 
HR Admin

Training & Advice

  • Core finance training for school leaders, business managers and governors 

  • Access to our live advice line, staffed by finance specialists 

  • Termly briefings and newsletters to stay ahead of regulatory change 

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

✓  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. 

Who it's 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. 

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)  

Trusted nationwide

Supporting CFOs, SBMs and Trust leaders across the UK.

  

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. 

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.