ION announces partnership with Latchmere Academy Trust to implement Sage Intacct for Education as their new finance solution to support their future growth plans.
Education financial software specialists, ION, are delighted to welcome Latchmere Academy Trust as a new client and partner for the implementation of Sage Intacct for Education. With two schools currently and plans to grow in the near future, theTrust has chosen to make the switch to a modern, scalable finance system that will support both their day-to-day operations and future ambitions.
ABOUT LATCHMERE ACADEMY TRUST
A growing MAT with 2 academies across Kingston upon Thames, Latchmere Academies Trust aims to build an inclusive family of flagship schools that will inspire students and stuff to embrace life-long learning. Previously using FMS as their financial management system, the Trust approached ION with the desire to upgrade to a more modern cloud-based solution that would support their growth in the near future.
PREVIOUS SYSTEM CHALLENGES
After years of working within the limitations of FMS, Latchmere Academy Trust reached a tipping point. The system simply couldn’t support the Trust’s growth plans, and the administrative burden had become unsustainable. Reporting had become a lengthy, manual process done mostly in Excel, and Purchase-to-Pay workflows were entirely paper-based, with no integration across systems.
With the Trust already relying on Access and Excel to patch gaps in functionality, there was a clear need for a robust, cloud-based solution that could scale effortlessly and simplify every process from reporting to procurement.
THE SOLUTION: SAGE INTACCT FOR EDUCATION
After carefully evaluating the options on the market, Latchmere Academy Trust selected Sage Intacct for Education, delivered by ION, as the system that could truly meet their current and future needs as a growing MAT:
• Simple, cloud-based platform that is easy to use and built for growth
• Powerful, built-in reporting tools to eliminate reliance on spreadsheets
• Fully digitsed Purchase-to-Pay workflows to reduce paper and streamline approvals
• A reliable and robust system to support both current operations and expansion plans
Sage Intacct for Education will not only alleviate the hours currently spent on manual tasks, but also provide a solid foundation for Latchmere’s future — enabling smarter financial decisions and faster access to accurate data. By upgrading to Sage Intacct for Education, they are freeing up valuable time and resources — allowing their teams to focus less on administration and more on delivering great outcomes for children.
Rob Mathieson, ION CEO, commented:
"Latchmere Academy Trust’s story is one we hear more and more across the sector — talented teams being held back by outdated systems. We’re excited to help them move forward with Sage Intacct for Education and support their journey as they continue to grow and serve more communities.”
About Latchmere Academy Trust
Latchmere Academy Trust places children at the heart of its mission, working collaboratively across its schools to ensure every pupil can thrive. With a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, and a vision rooted in community, the Trust supports children to fulfil their potential academically, socially, and emotionally.
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.
