Choosing a trust'strust’s financial management system (FMS)
This
Compare page helps you compare different FMS providers so your academy trust can choose a providersystem whothat will enable you to automate your financial returns to DfE.the Department for Education.
Applies to England
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FMS comparison matrix
MS Excel Spreadsheet, 72.379 KB
FMS software providers
MS Excel Spreadsheet, 17.819.5 KB
Details
Choosing the right FMS software has the potential to greatly improve efficiencies in a truststrust’s financial administration processes and financial reporting. This FMS comparison matrix helps you compare systems and choose the right one for you.
ThisThe 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 decisiondecision, but to clarify key features of known FMS providers in the academy trust sector,sector. reducingThis will reduce the time taken to narrow down the options to a provider shortlist.
If youyou’d would like to get in touch with us about the matrix, pleaseuse contact us using the Customercustomer help portal., Pleaseentering enter‘Automation/API’ “Automation/API” at the top of your enquiry.
Updates to this page
Published 21 November 2023
Last updated 1215 AugustSeptember 2024
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Update history
2026-01-16 12:58
Updated ‘FMS comparison matrix’ with latest version.
2025-09-15 15:37
Replaced the ‘Comparison matrix V3.0.0’ with ‘Comparison matrix V4.0.0’, and carried out other updates for 2025 to 2026.
2024-08-12 11:59
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.
2024-06-18 10:13
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’.
2024-04-18 12:22
We have updated the FMS comparison matrix, and have also updated links within the Guide to the FMS comparison matrix.
2024-04-04 14:28
Updated ‘FMS comparison matrix ‘.
2024-03-13 15:33
Updated ‘FMS comparison matrix’ to include FMS providers accounts return date for 2022 to 2023.
2024-02-22 13:10
New FMS supplier added to the FMS supplier matrix.
2023-12-20 10:51
FMS comparison matrix workbook updated, please see ‘Change log’ tab for details.
2023-12-13 11:03
FMS comparison matrix workbook updated, please see ‘Change log’ tab for details.
2023-11-30 10:03
FMS comparison matrix workbook updated, please see ‘Change log’ tab for these details.
2023-11-21 13:42
First published.
Details
Choosing the right FMS software has the potential to greatly improve efficiencies in a truststrust’s financial administration processes and financial reporting. This FMS comparison matrix helps you compare systems and choose the right one for you.
ThisThe 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 decisiondecision, but to clarify key features of known FMS providers in the academy trust sector,sector. reducingThis will reduce the time taken to narrow down the options to a provider shortlist.
If youyou’d would like to get in touch with us about the matrix, pleaseuse contact us using the Customercustomer help portal., Pleaseentering enter‘Automation/API’ “Automation/API” at the top of your enquiry.
Updates to this page
Sign up for emails or print this page
Update history
2026-01-16 12:58
Updated ‘FMS comparison matrix’ with latest version.
2025-09-15 15:37
Replaced the ‘Comparison matrix V3.0.0’ with ‘Comparison matrix V4.0.0’, and carried out other updates for 2025 to 2026.
2024-08-12 11:59
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.
2024-06-18 10:13
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’.
2024-04-18 12:22
We have updated the FMS comparison matrix, and have also updated links within the Guide to the FMS comparison matrix.
2024-04-04 14:28
Updated ‘FMS comparison matrix ‘.
2024-03-13 15:33
Updated ‘FMS comparison matrix’ to include FMS providers accounts return date for 2022 to 2023.
2024-02-22 13:10
New FMS supplier added to the FMS supplier matrix.
2023-12-20 10:51
FMS comparison matrix workbook updated, please see ‘Change log’ tab for details.
2023-12-13 11:03
FMS comparison matrix workbook updated, please see ‘Change log’ tab for details.
2023-11-30 10:03
FMS comparison matrix workbook updated, please see ‘Change log’ tab for these details.
2023-11-21 13:42
First published.