Helping Matua Ngaru School to make informed and strategic decisions for their future

What financial or administrative challenges was Matua Ngaru school facing before engaging Edtech’s services?

At my previous school I worked with Paul and the Edtech team to introduce Xero and it was a game changer for both the finance officer and me.  Moving to my new school and not having the same transparency and insight was eye opening!

The system that was in place was cumbersome. The financial reports were not easy to interpret for the Board. The budget setting process was difficult because the reporting documents were complex. Overall, I did not have the clarity of reporting I had become accustomed to.

What were your primary objectives in partnering with a financial service provider?

Our primary objective in partnering with a financial services provider was to:

• Increase our operational efficiency.

• Provide clear, consistent, and timely monthly reporting to the Board

• Build a partnership that supports the school.

What services does Edtech provide, and how have they supported your school’s operations or strategic goals?

In a nutshell – responsiveness, PLD and genuine partnership.

Responsiveness is a key offering – someone is always available to support us, from small accounting questions to the big strategic financing decisions.

The professional learning opportunities have been game changing. Paul has run sessions for the Board and our cluster schools. Our Board members found the clarity Paul provided – as regards their understanding school finances and his depiction of what effective management and governance looks like – to be invaluable.

Our Executive Assistant and SLT have also benefitted from the financial PLD. I now have more support and the school has the assurance of continuity. The assistance with budgeting, audit preparation, calculating depreciation and the day-to-day support from the whole team has revolutionised our financial operation.

This year we have made some innovative financial decisions around playground funding. Edtech was alongside us when working with the MOE and the bank to make sure everything was aligned. This partnership has allowed us to have confidence in our decision making throughout the process. 

What tangible improvements or benefits have you seen since working with Edtech?

With Xero we have more control and visibility of our financial situation. We now have the financial insights we need at hand and this has made our audit process the fastest and cleanest to date.

The board has a great understanding of school finances, and the clarity of reporting has made their governance role much easier.

What would you say to other schools considering similar financial support services?

We would recommend Edtech’s services to schools looking for greater efficiency and strategic guidance.

You have access to experienced accountants who help improve financial processes. The team is amazing to work with. They have so much knowledge across the team and a depth of experience working with schools.

The PLD offered to schools and boards has meant our governance and management roles are clearly defined.