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Finance Services

At EPM, we specialise in finance services tailored exclusively for the education sector. Whether you're a single academy trust, a growing MAT, or a maintained school, our expert team steps in with the right level of support—strategic, operational, or project-based. With deep understanding of sector-specific challenges and compliance demands, we bridge capacity gaps, enhance strategic planning, and deliver peace of mind. Schools and trusts trust us not only for our technical expertise, but also for the hands-on support and reliability we bring every step of the way.

strategic-finance-leadership

Strategic Finance Leadership

Our Financial Leadership service provides high-level strategic support through interim Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) or senior finance consultants. We collaborate closely with CEOs and leadership teams to develop sustainable financial strategies, enhance resource planning, and ensure alignment with DfE and ESFA expectations, transforming financial leadership capacity through strategic planning, budget forecasting, and growth modeling.

Who it’s for:

  • Trusts navigating periods of significant growth or expansion
  • Educational organisations undergoing financial restructuring
  • Schools and trusts planning for leadership succession
  • CEOs seeking strategic financial partnership
  • Institutions needing to enhance financial governance
  • Organisations requiring alignment between financial strategy and educational outcomes

Key Benefits

financial-expertise

Strategic Financial Expertise

Access experienced professionals who bring both accounting acumen and education sector-specific insights, helping align financial decisions with educational priorities while ensuring compliance with regulatory expectations.

leadership-development

Leadership Capacity Development

Transform your organization's financial capabilities through collaborative strategy development, sustainable planning frameworks, and 
ongoing decision-making support that builds internal capacity.

flex-exec-support

Flexible Executive Support

Gain the advantages of senior financial leadership without permanent staffing commitments, with options ranging from full interim CFO services 
to targeted consultancy for specific projects 
or challenges.

operational-finance-management

Operational Finance Management

Our finance management service handles your essential financial responsibilities—from monthly management accounts to statutory returns and Academy Trust Handbook compliance—ensuring your operations remain both compliant and efficient.

Who it’s for:

  • Schools experiencing staff absences in finance roles
  • Under-resourced finance teams needing additional support
  • Institutions looking to embed financial best practices

Key Benefits

system-knowledge

Expert System Knowledge

We're proficient in all major education finance systems including PS Financials, Sage, Access, and Bromcom, allowing us to integrate seamlessly and start delivering value immediately.

real-education-experience

Real-World Education Experience

We understand the unique pressures schools 
face, from tight reporting deadlines to constantly evolving regulatory requirements, and adapt our approach accordingly.

reduced-internal-pressure

Reduced Internal Pressure

Our collaborative, solutions-focused approach provides clarity and consistency, significantly relieving the burden on your existing finance team while maintaining quality standards.

project-based-financial-support

Project-Based Financial Support

When schools and trusts need specialist intervention, our short-term, project-based support delivers targeted solutions with expertise and objectivity—from financial due diligence during mergers to system implementations and budget reviews.

Who it’s for:

  • Schools navigating transitions (mergers, conversions, restructuring)
  • Institutions facing compliance challenges or audit requirements
  • Organisations experiencing financial uncertainty or needing strategic review

Key Benefits

sector-experience

Sector-Specific Expertise

Each project is led by a seasoned education finance consultant with deep sector knowledge, ensuring all recommendations are practical and fully aligned with regulatory requirements.

value-insights

Value-Adding Insights

Our thorough reviews frequently uncover cost-saving opportunities, operational inefficiencies, and strategic misalignments that have long-term positive impact on your organisation.

sustainable-improvement

Sustainable Improvement

Even in one-off engagements, we provide a clear roadmap that your team can follow to sustain improvements after our project concludes, maximizing the return on your investment.

"When our finance manager went off sick unexpectedly, we were left vulnerable. EPM stepped in immediately, bringing not one but a team of experts to guide us. They helped us set the budget, explained our obligations, and worked with us—even in evening meetings. Their reassurance, knowledge and delivery were outstanding. We simply couldn’t have coped without them."

Headteacher, Cambridge

Speak to the Team

Contact us today and find out how we could help your school or trust to excel.