IMP Software
Who we are
IMP Software was founded with a clear mission: to provide Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) with the financial tools they deserve. Will Jordan and Dave Hall co-founded IMP Software in 2019 after careers with some of the UK's education and finance heavyweights. Their vision was to facilitate smarter MAT finance, having worked extensively in the MAT sector and witnessed the challenges that Trusts face when using software designed for individual schools. MATs are dynamic, complex entities with specific needs, and they knew that simply adapting school-based solutions wasn’t enough. That’s why IMP Software builds MAT-first solutions from the ground up, focusing on making MAT finance smarter and more efficient—without the faff.
IMP Software is a leading provider of budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP) software designed specifically for MATs. Trusted by 450+ MATs and backed by 5-star Trustpilot reviews our core purpose is to empower Trusts to achieve financial sustainability and operational efficiency, freeing them to focus on what truly matters—delivering high-quality education. We understand that MATs operate in a constantly evolving landscape with unique challenges. That’s why our IMP Platform is built to simplify complex financial processes, from strategic budgeting to long-term financial planning. We prioritise user-friendly, data-driven tools that offer valuable insights, helping MATs make informed decisions and plan for the future with confidence.
Beyond software, we are committed to being a trusted partner to MATs. We offer expert advice, ongoing support, and a collaborative approach, ensuring our clients can navigate their financial landscape with ease. Our mission is not just to provide a product, but to empower MATs with the right tools and knowledge to thrive.
What we do
IMP Planner is specifically designed for Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), providing an integrated solution for budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. It is the only Trust-wide, single-database solution offering a 'true Trust view'. Unlike legacy school-first software, that modifies school systems and aggregates individual school datasets for MAT functionality, IMP Planner is a MAT-centric, Software as a Service (SaaS) solution. It offers a unified platform for storing and reporting on core budgetary and financial data across the Trust.
This data is used to drive future forecasts, whilst also factoring in and enabling ‘what if’ scenario planning on a host of potential drivers which can impact the viability of MATs. These can be at a MAT, School hub, school or even department level. IMP Planner sits between a MAT’s core business systems, extracting and combining disparate operating data, giving the Trust (and its leaders) the whole picture across their schools.
Key Features:
- A single source of truth - Budget, forecast, and payroll data are controlled centrally, offering complete visibility and control over assumptions and budget drivers across schools.
- Powerful, continuous budget forecasting - Automatically combine finance, forecast, and payroll data for accurate year-end outcome predictions and five-year forecasts.
- Granular reporting at every level - Drill down into pupil numbers, staffing details, and actuals with ease, accessing key budget drivers at every level.
- Transactional-level finance system integration - Integrate and sync actuals from your finance system and push budgets back at the transactional level.
- Automated embedded calculations - Automate key calculations like Top slice, Pupil Premium, and RPA to ensure consistency and reduce errors.
IMP ICFP (Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning) is another tool developed for MATs, designed to integrate curriculum planning with budgeting using the same staffing dataset. This eliminates manual data input and the risk of outdated information. By aligning curriculum and financial planning, IMP ICFP highlights potential challenges or opportunities early and removes the need for spreadsheets.
Key Features:
- Real-Time Visibility - Aligns financial and curriculum leadership, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Integrated Staffing Model - Both budgets and curriculum plans are based on the same staffing dataset, eliminating manual entry and reducing errors.
- Eliminates Outdated Information - The integration removes the need for constant updates to standalone plans.
- Streamlined Processes - By replacing disconnected systems and spreadsheets, ICFP allows more time for analysis and planning.
- Multi-Year ICFP Planning - Offers three to five-year planning horizons, providing early warnings of potential issues.
- Comprehensive Inclusion - It includes non-payroll staff, such as sports coaches and peripatetic music teachers, ensuring accurate planning.
Benefits of IMP Software for MATs
- Improved Efficiency - IMP reduces the workload of manual data entry and spreadsheet management, allowing more time for strategic analysis.
- Enhanced Accuracy - Financial data is always current, reducing errors and outdated information.
- Strategic Planning - IMP provides early identification of issues or opportunities, enabling Trusts to plan proactively.
- Tailored for MATs - Specifically designed to address unique MAT challenges, such as differing subject codes and non-comparable timetables.
How we help
Unlike many other service providers, IMP Software focuses exclusively on the MAT sector. This allows us to tailor our solutions precisely to the needs of multi-academy trusts, offering deep sector expertise that larger, more general software providers cannot match. We work closely with MAT finance professionals, chief financial officers (CFOs), and education leaders to ensure that our solutions evolve in line with the sector’s changing needs.
But our commitment to the MAT community goes beyond providing software - we aim to foster a collaborative approach, bringing together MATs to share best practices and insights.
Free Resources and Knowledge Sharing
We are passionate about equipping MAT leaders with the knowledge they need to succeed. We regularly host free webinars, publish insightful blogs, and offer thought leadership that addresses key issues in MAT finance and governance. These resources are designed to empower trust leaders with the latest sector knowledge, including best practices for financial management, regulatory changes, and strategic planning. Our webinars provide MATs with practical advice on topics like GAG pooling, ICFP, and budget forecasting, allowing them to improve their financial management practices.
Ongoing Support and Partnership
IMP Software is known for its hands-on, personalised support. We work closely with MAT finance teams, offering ongoing guidance and training to ensure they fully utilise our solutions. Our support extends beyond just using the software - we help trust leaders interpret the financial insights it provides, enabling them to make informed decisions that enhance their trust’s long-term sustainability. We also foster a collaborative community of MATs with our annual networking events, encouraging peer learning and the sharing of success stories, so that trusts can learn from each other’s experiences.
Contributing to the Wider Sector
As a specialist in MAT financial management, we are deeply invested in advancing the sector through thought leadership. Our team contributes regularly to sector publications, offering insights into effective financial management strategies for MATs. We engage with key stakeholders, including MAT leaders and education policymakers, to advocate for better financial practices that can strengthen the entire sector.
We believe that strong financial management in MATs ultimately contributes to better educational outcomes. By providing the tools and support that allow MATs to manage their resources effectively, we are helping to ensure that more funds are directed into classrooms, where they can have the most impact on students. We are also committed to promoting transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, helping MATs demonstrate good stewardship and build trust within their communities.
Our Culture of Customer Support
Our culture is built on collaboration, transparency, and genuine care for our clients. We see ourselves as long-term partners for MATs, working closely with them to ensure their financial strategies are aligned with their educational missions. By putting the needs of our customers at the heart of everything we do, we help them succeed in both their financial and educational goals. This approach not only sets us apart but ensures that every MAT we work with feels supported and empowered.
