Cloud-based financial software specialists, ION, are proud to announce their new partnership with Eastern Multi-Academy Trust. The partnership will see ION working alongside Eastern to configure and implement their new financial management software, Sage Intacct for Education.
Formed in 2017, Eastern Multi-Academy Trust consists of 12 schools across West Norfolk, Breckland (Norfolk), and Brandon (Suffolk). Supporting schools that range from Infant academies to a Secondary academy in King’s Lynn, the Trust has a track record of helping schools achieve success for their students. Their academies promote effective learning through inspirational teaching to improve academic standards, and all have demonstrated significant improvement as part of the Trust.
Previously using PSF V6 as their finance solution, the Trust identified the need to upgrade systems to enhance their financial management capabilities. Due to several challenges within the system, the Trust only used PSF VC for basic and core accounting. Eastern MAT found that PSF V6 lacked true cloud functionality and was inefficient for managing the Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) process. This process was manual and paper-driven up to the purchase order stage. Additionally, the Trust faced challenges in managing funds from multiple banks and lacked an effective reporting suite, relying on Excel for reporting needs. The need for a more advanced, automated system with better support and an open API was clear to ease the central finance team's time.
After careful consideration, Eastern MAT decided to adopt Sage Intacct for Education as their new finance solution. This decision came as a result of the Trust’s desire to digitalise and automate their P2P processes, centralise their purchase ledger, and implement a robust in-system reporting process. Eastern MAT was also eager to switch over to true-cloud technology in order to benefit from real-time analytics and insights. With Sage Intacct for Education by ION, Eastern MAT will be provided with the financial capabilities needed to alleviate the finance team’s time, and a high level of support from ION’s team of education specialists. ION looks forward to a collaborative partnership with the Trust and is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing support for their financial management needs.
Rob Mathieson, ION CEO, said: “We are thrilled to be chose by Eastern MAT as the partner who will bring them into the modern world of true-cloud finance. ION is excited to see the positive impact that Sage Intacct for Education will have on Eastern Multi-Academy Trust's financial processes and overall efficiency.”
About Eastern Multi-Academy Trust
Eastern Multi-Academy Trust is committed to serving the children and communities across West Norfolk, Breckland (Norfolk), and Brandon (Suffolk). With a focus on improving academic standards through effective learning and inspirational teaching, the Trust supports 12 schools, from Infant academies to a Secondary academy, fostering significant improvement and success.
About ION
Founded in 2016, ION has become the CFOs’ choice for technology. Its team of specialists work 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.
