Capacity and control from in-school people
School finance support explicitly designed for MATs, delivered by leaders who’ve run trust finances before. We steady the ship and deliver returns without adding to your workload.
Clear forecasts and a path to steady function
Does this sound familiar?
Your finance leader has moved on, or you’ve got a short-term gap you need to fill.
Returns deadlines are looming (BFR/AARs, Annex G, grant returns, etc.) and the team is stretched.
Month-end slips; forecasting confidence is low; the board wants clearer numbers.
You’re changing systems/processes and can’t afford downtime.
We specialise in the education sector, working with academies like yours, so we integrate quickly, protect compliance, and give leaders the headspace to lead. We also have system knowledge; we know all of the major systems used across schools, including IMP, Iris, Sage, Access, PSF, Xero, etc.
What you get from us
Immediate capacity
An experienced finance leader embedded quickly.
Board-ready reporting
Clear management accounts, cash flow, and a forecast you can defend.
Returns delivered
BFR and other annual returns handled on time and in line with the Academy Trust Handbook.
Rhythms that replace firefighting
Month-end timetable, responsibilities, and a simple control framework.
ICFP built in
Budget and staffing decisions supported by an integrated curriculum and financial planning.
Systems fluency
Experience with major education finance systems, including PS Financials, Access, and IMP (we adapt quickly to your setup).
Audit-ready
Pragmatic audit prep and coordination, supported by strong working relationships with sector auditors.
CFO/finance team development
Training for finance staff, headteachers, and budget holders; mentoring for new/in-post CFOs.
“What makes Keystone invaluable to us is their deep understanding of the educational landscape.”
MATTHEW BROOKES, DIRECTOR OF PRIMARIES, SYMPHONY LEARNING TRUST
Ways we can help
(choose one or combine)
Interim CFO/FD cover
Leadership to stabilise, set direction, and keep the board confident.
Interim Finance Manager / Financial Controller
Hands-on delivery to keep month-end returns and reconciliations on track.
Budgeting & forecasting sprint
Clarity on in-year position and next year’s plan, with ICFP insights to support decisions.
Returns and compliance package
BFR, audit prep and year-end coordination, completed without drama.
Month-end and reporting reset
Create a reliable timetable and robust templates and review cadence (committee-ready packs, clear KPIs).
Systems and process change
Practical migration and optimisation (PS Financials, Access, IMP, etc.), with low disruption.
Outsourced finance function
Complete operational coverage from transactional processing to month-end, freeing your team for strategic work.
Transactional finance and management accounts
Backbone support from Finance Officer to Director level, accurate reporting that keeps day-to-day operations running smoothly.
Audit preparation and BFR
Streamlined budgeting, trust-wide forecasting, and board-ready assurance ahead of external audit.
Recruitment and onboarding support
Help to scope, recruit, and onboard your next CFO/finance leaders; mentoring to set them up for success.
Mentoring and development (CFOs/FDs/SBMs)
On-hand guidance from seasoned MAT finance leaders to lift confidence and capability in-house. Engagements are time-bound secondments or scoped projects with fixed outcomes and clear milestones, not a retainer.
Recruitment and onboarding support
Help to scope, recruit, and onboard your next CFO/finance leaders; mentoring to set them up for success.
Need help choosing tools?
We’ll help you assess HR systems for schools, shortlist HR software for schools,
and ensure that any education HR software actually gets adopted.
Why trusts choose Keystone Knowledge
We’re your people
We know MAT governance, committee cycles, and the Academy Trust Handbook.
In-school experience
Delivered by leaders who’ve worked in academies themselves.
Board-ready outputs
Numbers that can be used with confidence in meetings, decisions that move forward.
Capacity that leaves capability
You stay strong after we step out.
Get finance and
interim support quickly
1
Quick 15-minute (or as long as you need), no-obligation consultation
Goals, constraints, and deadlines (returns, cash, board dates).
2
Proposal and planning
Written scope, price, timeline, named lead, and agreed start date.
3
Delivery with board-ready numbers
On-site/remote with minimal disruption; month-end and returns on time; clear actions, owners, and dates, plus a clean handover.
FAQ’s
In short, it can be. We can be flexible to the needs of your trust, so whatever support you're looking for, we can accommodate.
Ready to get a grip on finance?
Put experienced leaders in your corner.
Steady the ship, deliver the essentials, and build financial confidence that lasts.
