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

We value Integrity, Simplicity and Professionalism.

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 2020 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 budgeting, accounting, board reporting and analysis with our school Business Intelligence (BI) tools.

Services & Training

When planning capital expenditure and borrowing programs, we can analyse past and future financials to help governors and management make informed risk decisions. Including Financial Governance Training

ABOUT US

School governors, principals and business managers need to make well-informed decisions about financial risk and ensure the financial viability and sustainability of their school. Our benchmarking, budgeting and reporting products, together with our knowledge of the school sector, helps to convert large amounts of data, from your school and similar schools, into an easy-to-understand format to help inform decisions about current financial health and the effect of pending decisions on future financial health.

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 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 has the ability to communicate what many people perceive as complex (accounting and financial business management) in a simple and understandable manner. Our School Board and its Executive Management Group have been enlightened by the Somerset Education report tools via the School’s Business Office over recent years. Add John’s governance training elaboration to our five (5) year data set has been invaluable to generate ongoing, knowledgeable discussions amongst our governing and management teams, about our current and projected financial viability and sustainability.

Hugh Castledon, Calrossy Anglican College

CONTACT US &/OR SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST

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

Postal Address: Somerset Education, GPO Box 3273, Brisbane QLD 4001 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.