School business manager

School business managers are responsible for the financial and support systems in schools. They usually manage and supervise administration, support and maintenance staff. They are also involved in strategic planning on school leadership teams, and in deciding how money will be spent in the future. They make sure that the school works within its annual budget.

Work activities

School business managers provide and manage the financial, administrative, human resource and support functions that are needed for the efficient running of schools. They should be members of the senior leadership team and as such are involved in general and strategic planning. They are also sometimes known as school bursars. They manage the finances of schools. They keep track of what has been spent and how much money is still available.

They must make sure that the school and the governors meet the requirement to have a strong and secure financial management plan in place. This is called the Schools Financial Value Standard. At regular intervals and at the end of each year, they are responsible for the preparation of statements showing an accurate and complete record of all financial transactions. They are also involved in planning how much money will be needed and how it will be spent in the future.

School business managers have overall responsibility for computerised management information systems. They make sure that they contain accurate information about finance, payroll and pupil or student information, although this information might be gathered and summarised by administrative staff. They make sure that schools comply with laws such as employment legislation and health and safety regulations. They might be responsible for school insurance and for community liaison. In larger schools, business managers are usually responsible for the recruitment, management, development and supervision of administration, support and maintenance staff such as caretakers, lunchtime supervisors, receptionists and secretaries.

Business managers compile reports and statistics for the local authority and/or school governors, and give presentations and financial advice at meetings. They are responsible for transport and catering contracts and the maintenance and development of the school buildings, grounds and administrative computer systems, and might choose, liaise with, and pay, contractors.

Business managers are responsible for buying equipment and supplies, and for making sure that bills are paid. They ensure value for money for all school services and supplies. Many business managers are based in one school. Smaller schools sometimes share the services of a bursar/business manager. In small primary schools, they might combine the bursar/business manager’s role with that of school secretary and receptionist. In this case, they might also be responsible for first aid, arranging meetings with parents and writing newsletters, for example.

In independent schools and some state schools, bursars prepare bills for tuition fees and collect payment from parents. In independent schools, bursars might also pay tax and staff salaries, administer pension schemes and advise the school governors on investing money and marketing. Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal qualities and skills

As a school business manager/bursar, you should have:

Management and leadership skills.
Good skills and competencies for financial management.
Problem-solving skills.
Negotiating skills.
A proactive and forward-looking approach.
IT skills.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Interpersonal skills.

You will need to be able to:

Prioritise your own and others’ work.
Plan for the future.
Pay attention to detail.
Analyse and interpret financial information and explain it to non-specialists.
Work under pressure in a busy environment.
Cope with handling many tasks at the same time.
Delegate tasks.
Motivate staff.
Keep confidential information.
Enjoy working as part of a team.
Be well organised, decisive, resilient and adaptable.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for school business managers and bursars vary depending on the level and range of responsibilities. Earnings range from £25,000 to £55,000. Much higher salaries are possible in larger schools and colleges.

School business managers’ working weeks are based around office hours. Additionally, some evening and weekend work might be required, for example, to attend governors’ meetings or other school activities.

Employers are all types of primary and secondary schools, including academies, independent schools and sixth-form colleges. Opportunities for school business managers and bursars occur in cities, towns and rural areas throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies for school business managers and bursars are advertised on the Institute of School Business Leadership website. They are also advertised on job boards, on websites such as LGJobs and the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association, on some school websites, in local/national newspapers and journals, and on the Government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship websites.

Entry routes and training

Some bursars/business managers have worked as school secretaries or administration assistants. Others enter after gaining skills in financial or general management outside the education system. Some have accounting qualifications.

The Institute of School Business Leadership offers a programme for existing and aspiring school business managers/bursars. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) accredit courses relevant to those with financial responsibility.

A level 4 (higher) apprenticeship in the role of school business professional is now available.

Some school business managers study for a Master of Business Administration (MBA). The Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA) offers various courses including a course for new entrants.

Some business managers/bursars progress by moving to larger schools and taking on more responsibility. Many are members of the school’s senior leadership team.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

For entry to a degree course in a business or accountancy subject or for registration with a chartered accountancy body, the usual requirement is:

Two to three A-levels.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three other subjects.
English and maths at GCSE (grades 9-4).

To get onto a higher apprenticeship in this industry, you’ll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English and maths and hold two A-levels.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Many people enter after working in, for example, banking, finance, accountancy, administration or hotel management. Others enter with skills gained as school secretaries or administration assistants. There is growing recognition of the value of school business managers/bursars, as schools have greater self-governance over their budgets and resources.

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