Somerset Education is dedicated to the financial viability and sustainability of non-government schools.

Our values: Simplicity I Integrity I Professionalism

Our mission is simple: To equip schools with knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions to mitigate risk, reduce financial worries, prevent financial stress, enable the school’s mission, and give confidence to stakeholders.

Working with schools, of all sizes and of different educational philosophies over 25 years, Somerset Education understands the balance of education strategy and financial sustainability.

Survey

Survey participants in 2023 represented over 70% of students in Independent schools — the largest Financial Survey of non-government schools in Australia. Compare income, expenditure, staff, debt, capital and cash flows with similar schools.

Budgeting and Reporting

Integrate budget, accounting, board reporting and analysis with the Financial Survey for Schools and our innovative SKI Scenario Builder™ financial forecasting tool

Services & Training

When planning capital expenditure and borrowing programs, we offer a range of services to help governors and managers make informed decisions. Our services include: Financial Governance Training (average rating 4.7 stars), Block Grant Authority (BGA), Budgeting and Finance application assistance.

ABOUT US

School governors, principals and business managers need to make well-informed decisions to ensure the financial sustainability of their school.

Our financial benchmarking tools help identify and understand areas for improvement by measuring and analysing your school’s performance against similar schools.

Our budgeting and reporting tools support superior financial management and reporting, enabling stakeholders to monitor current performance and accurately model future performance in an easy-to-understand format.

Our SKI Scenario Builder™ enables schools to instantly forecast the financial effect and risk of changes in key variables e.g. Enrolments, staffing, wage, and other increases.

Our team provides expert assistance to schools through a range of areas including: Financial governance training, Block Grant Authority (BGA) application assistance, budget development, and financing application assistance.

John Somerset

John Somerset has practiced in chartered accounting for over 30 years, with the past 25 years dedicated to the financial health of non-government schools. Qualifications include Bachelor of Commerce, University of Queensland and a Masters by research at Queensland University of Technology on his passion — financial sustainability of schools. John is currently completing a PhD dedicated to the financial sustainability of non-government schools. John has been a governor on school boards since 2000 and a previous President of Independent Schools Queensland and former Director Independent Schools Council Australia ISCA.

VIDEO OVERVIEW

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Client Testimonials

We received an overall 5 star rating for the survey. Read more reviews here.

Good financial data is critical to a school in distress and you and the team helped us navigate this and also create ongoing financial transparency…

…On reflection, my only regret is not having engaged John a few months earlier.

SHARONIKA CAMPLIN, BOARD CHAIR, CAIRNS HINTERLAND STEINER SCHOOL

John, I have always admired, in particular, your great gift of communicating financial information to Business managers and to lay people on boards! That’s a truly God- given ability/gift you have! So you have a “very well done” from me for all your life’s work and endeavours to date! Your professional and helpful service to the non- government schools’ sector goes far beyond the fees you charge and should be appreciated by all those you serve through your work!

Ray McKinnon, Business Manager of 35 years (retired) Positions at Brisbane Grammar School, St Peters Lutheran College, Fairholme College, Grace Lutheran College

Somerset Education Financial Survey for Schools® – One of the greatest benchmarking tools for any industry. Education is blessed to have access to it. If you are a leader or Board member in a school and you don’t use Somerset ….. almost a breach of fiduciary duty, in my opinion.

SAM KRONJA, PAST DIRECTOR (14 years) OF FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES, PERTH PRESBYTERIAN LADIES COLLEGE

John Somerset has been an important partner with our school. His simple but clear presentations and regular, relevant analysis have been instrumental in providing commentary that has assisted our Board and School Management to understand the drivers that promote school sustainability and financial management. His work has been critical in enabling us to plan and grow…

DAVID SMITH, PRINCIPAL, CALROSSY ANGLICAN SCHOOL

CONTACT US &/OR SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST

Phone: 1300 781 968 or International: +61 7 3263 5300

Postal Address: Somerset Education, PO Box 334, Caloundra QLD 4551 Australia

Send us an email using the form below:

As a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the firm participates in a national liability capping scheme.
Accordingly our liability is limited by a scheme approved under professional standards.

Somerset Education acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.