Guidance

Choosing a trust's financial management system (FMS)

This page helps you compare different FMS providers so your academy trust can choose a provider who will enable you to automate your financial returns to DfE.

From:
Education and Skills Funding Agency
Published
21 November 2023
Last updated
12 August 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Guide to the FMS comparison matrix

HTML

Disclaimer

HTML

FMS comparison matrix

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 72.3 KB

FMS software providers

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 17.8 KB

Details

Choosing the right FMS software has the potential to greatly improve efficiencies in a trusts financial administration processes and financial reporting. This FMS comparison matrix helps you compare systems and choose the right one for you.

This matrix is provided to help schools compare FMS providers when considering upgrading their existing software or procuring new software.

It is not designed to provide all the information required by schools when making this decision but clarify key features of known FMS providers in the academy trust sector, reducing the time taken to narrow down the options to a provider shortlist.

If you would like to get in touch with us about the matrix, please contact us using the Customer help portal. Please enter “Automation/API” at the top of your enquiry.

Updates to this page

Published 21 November 2023
Last updated 12 August 2024 + show all updates

  1. We've included a new link to the 'Customer help portal' and added a new FMS provider support helpdesk link. We've added a link to 'Transforming Public Procurement' in section 5 of the 'Guide to the FMS comparison matrix' to help trusts make spending decisions.

  2. The FMS comparison matrix has been updated to remove a provider 'Dream', add the new 'Software cloud solution' criteria, add the new 'Cloud definitions' tab and update the FMS provider progress tab with the new column 'Number of Trusts per FMS supplier 2022/23'.

  3. We have updated the FMS comparison matrix, and have also updated links within the Guide to the FMS comparison matrix.

  4. Updated 'FMS comparison matrix '.

  5. Updated 'FMS comparison matrix' to include FMS providers accounts return date for 2022 to 2023.

  6. New FMS supplier added to the FMS supplier matrix.

  7. FMS comparison matrix workbook updated, please see 'Change log' tab for details.

  8. FMS comparison matrix workbook updated, please see 'Change log' tab for details.

  9. FMS comparison matrix workbook updated, please see 'Change log' tab for these details.

  10. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page