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Administering Finance in Education - Level 3

In this Level 3 national qualification you'll master day-to-day accountancy processes while making a significant contribution towards the achievement of your establishment's educational goals.

Using the experience of our professional training team, we have developed a comprehensive online, and tutor-led, learning package to help you quickly gain the knowledge and skills required to pass the Administering Finance in Education qualification.

There are seven mandatory units within this qualification, all of which are focused on educational establishments.

  • Bookkeeping - How to manage the books including the foundations of double-entry bookkeeping and associated documents and processes; also available as a separate qualification
  • Costing - How to extract costing data and perform calculations to provide essential information, to inform decision-making processes
  • Procurement - How to obtain value for money using the procurement cycle when purchasing goods and services in educational establishments
  • Preparing financial accounts - How to account for fixed assets and make end of year adjustments to the financial accounts
  • VAT - How to account for VAT in order to comply with legislation and how to perform the calculations needed to complete a VAT return
  • Internal control systems - How to identify the typical internal controls implemented to protect educational establishments against financial fraud
  • Budgeting - How to set a well-informed, balanced budget and identify variances between budgeted and actual figures

Each unit is published on the Regulated Qualification Framework and provides practical, real-world accounting and finance knowledge that you can use from day one.

The qualification has been fully mapped to the Professional Standards issued by the Institute for School Business Leadership (ISBL). Further information can be found by visiting their ISBL website.

Studying for any qualification is a commitment, both in terms of time and funding. We have developed both tutor-led and online learning options to provide you with the training and support needed to pass the qualification, at the same time as providing value for money.

There are no specific entry requirements to take this qualification but it is most suitable for people with A levels and/or those already working in a finance role within an educational establishment.

Total study time - 180 hours

Assessment - online exam and portfolio

Online learning package

  • Online learning courses - Engaging and interactive bite-sized online lessons allowing you to learn at a time convenient to you
  • Learning Hub - Exclusive access to our online Learning Hub to help you manage your learning
  • Knowledge checks - Regular knowledge checks to help keep your learning on track and achieve success
  • Support helpline - Access to our dedicated support line when you need extra support and guidance

The cost for purchasing the Administering Finance in Education qualification online learning package is £1250.

To book on the online Administering Finance in Education course, please complete and submit the online order form (opens new window).

Tutor-led learning

(Please note: The tutor-led version of the course is not currently being delivered. Please contact us for further details on financequalifications@norfolk.gov.uk

  • Tutor-led session - Benefit from over 10 days of tutor-led courses delivered by our qualified trainers
  • Learning Hub - Exclusive access to our online Learning Hub to help you manage your learning
  • Practice assessments - Develop your assessment technique with practice assessments to help you achieve success
  • Support helpline - Access to our dedicated support line when you need extra support and guidance

The cost for purchasing the Administering Finance in Education tutor-led package is £1950.

Download our 2023-2024 brochure for Finance in Education qualifications (PDF) [182KB].


To find out further information, please call us on 01603 306407 or email financequalifications@norfolk.gov.uk.