What our customers say
“ Sue Bremner-Milne's Bursary Service has transformed our confidence in managing SAP and enabled the governors to have a much clearer picture of the school's financial position. ”
Sue Widgery and Pat Salisbury, Headteacher and SAO at East Oxford School
“ Suddenly, I had the benefit of people who actually understood the financial issues and were well-versed in how to deal with them. Our situation was turned around within twelve months...”
Fiona Craig, SIP advisor and former head of Shellingford School
Imagine it….
a school in Special Measures with a deficit budget situation and a new Head with limited understanding of the required skills to negotiate this rocky path!
Not quite on a gleaming white charger, (but almost) came SBM over the horizon. Saved!Suddenly, I had the benefit of people who actually understood the financial issues and were well-versed in how to deal with them. Our situation was turned around within twelve months thanks to SBM’s wise intervention, their advice to me personally and liaison with our local finance officers. This of course, gave me much-needed time to concentrate on the real job in hand of improving the school’s teaching and learning. They also helped hugely during the project management of a major new build with all the inevitable cost implications this entailed.
Their network of over 90 schools means there is little that they have not dealt with before and I felt that we had genuine and consistent support on all matters financial, whether executive advice or all the nitty-gritty of budget setting, monitoring and reporting – nothing fazes them!
Sue and her colleagues have a unique understanding of the intricacies of OCC school budget systems and the necessary monitoring and reporting which go alongside.
I would wholeheartedly recommend SBM financial services to any Head Teacher who needs robust financial systems which are well managed and accountable. I know it’s an additional cost to bring in this layer of management, but it’s the best financial decision I ever made and worth every penny for the peace of mind!
“ The service that SBM has provided us with over the past five years is the one single appointment that has had the most significant impact on my work-life balance ”
Samantha King, Headteacher St Peter’s Infants School, Alvescot
Prior to 2005 the secretary had the responsibility for the administration of the school’s finances and together with the Headteacher spent endless hours poring over budget spreadsheets etc. In January 2005 we appointed a bursar from SBM Financial Services and have never looked back. Sharon visits for half a day, once a fortnight and is a highly valued member of our team. Over the years she has come to understand the uniqueness of our school and appreciates fully the demands on the staff in such a small school in terms of space, time and resources. Not only is Sharon highly effective in her administrative role but she is also able to bring to our school her vast wealth of knowledge and expertise regarding all financial issues. The support and guidance that SBM were able to give the Governing Body in preparing for our FMSiS inspection was invaluable.
The service that SBM has provided us with over the past five years is the one single appointment that has had the most significant impact on my work-life balance. Sharon shares the information with my Governors and I that we need, in order to achieve best value for money and to manage the school effectively. My secretary is now able to use her time to carry out her role efficiently and I am able to focus my attention on leading and managing the school in the role to which I was appointed- as Headteacher!
“ Theresa... came to us straight away and took over our budget with sensitivity, attention to detail and a calm yet highly efficient manner. ”
Liz Burton, Headteacher of St Ebbe’s Primary School
We lost our bursar suddenly and unexpectedly in November 2006 as he had a heart attack whilst climbing Kilimanjaro. This was a tough time and it was a huge relief when Sue (BM ) visited us at very short notice. She was immediately reassuring and very clear about the SBM Financial Services offer. Theresa, one of the SBM bursars, came to us straight away and took over our budget with sensitivity, attention to detail and a calm yet highly efficient manner. She quickly became indispensable and is a highly valued member of our office team. She has the ability to cope with the avalanche of communication regarding finance, can prioritise to meet all deadlines and keeps immaculate records.
The support with the FMSIS audit was superb with a highly organised, cross referenced file to assist, courtesy of SBM.I am one of those headteachers who is quickly overwhelmed by cost centres, accruals, in year adjustments etc. so I am deeply grateful to SBM Services for reducing our school's stress level!
“ Not only is the individual bursar of high calibre but the support services provided by the company have proved to be excellent. ”
Christopher Spring, Headteacher of John Blandy Primary School, Southmoor
I have used the services of a bursar supplied by SBM Financial Services since 2004.
During this period I have been totally satisfied with the excellent service provided by this company. Not only is the individual bursar of high calibre but the support services provided by the company have proved to be excellent. In particular, the documentation and guidance provided in relation to FMSiS ensured that the school was well prepared and received praise from the assessor.
SBM Financial Services liaise with the local authority gaining guidance on new financial and procedural matters which enable individual bursars to support schools effectively thus diminishing the pressure on head teachers and administrators by giving them expert advice and a sounding board for discussion.
I have never regretted the decision to use SBM Financial Services, intend to do so in the future, and have no hesitation in recommending the company to other schools.
* Special thanks to our customers for their kindness.