Cloud-based financial software specialists, ION, are thrilled to announce their new partnership with Areté Learning Trust to configure and implement their new financial management software, Sage Intacct for Education. Transitioning from their previous systems, IRIS and Sage 200, this partnership marks a significant milestone for Areté Learning Trust as they move to a more advanced, education-specific solution.
About Areté Learning Trust
Areté Learning Trust, newly formed through a merger of multiple academies, is a 9-school multi-academy trust based in North Yorkshire. Dedicated to improving the educational outcomes of its young learners, the Trust has been striving to centralise and enhance its financial management operations and capabilities. Frustrated with the limitations and rising costs of their previous systems, the Trust sought a solution that could both support their growth and streamline their processes.
Challenges with Previous Systems
The Trust had previously used multiple financial systems, IRIS and Sage 200, due to being formed through a MAT merger. This lack of centralisation and the limitations of their old systems meant that the Trust faced several ongoing challenges:
Reporting Issues: The lack of reliable reporting forced the finance team to drop data into Excel, which was both time-consuming and inefficient.
Rising Costs: The costs associated with maintaining and upgrading their previous systems, particularly with IRIS, kept increasing, including a significant quote to adopt a new Chart of Accounts (COA) structure.
Inefficient P2P Workflows: The Trust wanted to improve their Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) workflows to enhance efficiency and visibility.
Need for a True MAT System: As a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), they needed a system that could support their unique needs and facilitate their ongoing growth and merger activities.
The Solution: Sage Intacct for Education
After an extensive market review, Areté Learning Trust chose Sage Intacct for Education, implemented by ION. Sage Intacct stood out as a true MAT system, designed to support the complexities of a Multi-Academy Trust. The key benefits include:
Reliable Reporting: Sage Intacct for Education provides accurate and trustworthy reporting, eliminating the need for manual data manipulation in Excel. The new system also features pre-built ESFA and SOFA reporting templates.
Cost Efficiency: Sage Intacct for Education will provide the trust with a centralised true-cloud system to manage their financial operations without the escalating costs they experienced with their previous systems.
Enhanced P2P Workflows: The new system offers streamlined and automated P2P processes, improving efficiency and control.
Support for MAT Growth: Sage Intacct for Education is purpose-built to align perfectly with the needs of a growing Trust, supporting both their current operations and future growth plans.
Looking Forward
Areté Learning Trust’s transition to Sage Intacct for Education promises to bring them greater efficiency, reliability, and scalability, and empower the Trust to continue its mission of providing excellent education.
Rob Mathieson, ION CEO, said: “We are delighted to support Areté Learning Trust with Sage Intacct for Education. We look forward to seeing the significant improvements in their financial processes and the continued success of the Trust.”
About ION
Founded in 2016, ION has become the CFOs’ choice for technology. Its team of specialists works with education, mid-market, and private equity-backed organisations to implement powerful financial technologies, enabling the vertical integration and automation of billing, payments, revenue recognition, and accounting.
