Building Financial Confidence for School Business Leaders

As a school business professional, you understand that every decision you make has a financial impact on your school and its students

You work hard to make the best decisions – often managing to turn ideas into reality with minimal resources. But as budgets grow tighter and pressures mount, even the most stalwart SBL might find themselves dreading conversations about finance. Here are some strategies to help make the thought of finances more manageable, so that when you next sit down to crunch those numbers, it’s not an experience to dread.

Talk About It

You know you’re capable of handling the work – after all, you manage numbers every day. But there are times when one particular challenge stumps you, or a change feels too complex to understand. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this – many others likely share the same struggles when it comes to budgeting. Often, we hesitate to speak up because we feel we should already know the answers – after all, this is part of the job. However, talking about these challenges can uncover shared concerns, and you may find others have similar questions or insights that can help you overcome that hurdle.

Get in the Right Headspace

The way you approach your work can have a significant impact on your ability to focus and make sound decisions. Creating the right environment is crucial to making financial tasks feel more manageable. Start by setting aside time dedicated solely to financial matters, away from the distractions of day-to-day responsibilities. Make sure you have everything you need – whether that’s updated financial reports, access to necessary software, or even a comfortable and quiet space to think. It’s also important to check in with yourself. Are you feeling stressed or overwhelmed? If so, take a step back. Sometimes the best way to prepare for a financial review is simply to get into the right mental space.

Invest in Yourself

Finance is constantly evolving, and the tools and strategies that worked yesterday may not be the most effective today. That’s why it’s essential to invest in yourself. Sometimes, it’s about getting back to basics, increasing your confidence or brushing up on core concepts to strengthen your foundational knowledge.

Finances are about more than just number crunching – they are about making decisions that will impact the school’s ability to provide the best education possible. Strengthening your financial leadership skills will help you navigate discussions more confidently and will ensure you’re able to make decisions that are aligned with your school’s long-term goals.

Rebecca to the Rescue!

Need more clarity on finance? Looking to enhance your SBL budgeting skills? Join Rebecca Cunliffe for her seminar on Finance Foundations for School Leaders our EdExec LIVE events this year. To learn more about where you can attend this seminar and explore our eight events throughout the year, visit: https://www.edexeclive.co.uk/seminars2025