---
title: Why MATs are Moving Away From Spreadsheets in 2026
description: Budget setting season is here and many Multi Academy Trust (MAT) finance teams are navigating the familiar challenge of rising costs alongside increasing expectations for robust multi year forecasting.
image: https://blog.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Schools%20Choice%20Logo%20PotVG-1.png
---

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# Why MATs are Moving Away From Spreadsheets in 2026

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 Schools' Choice  
March 19, 2026

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Budget‑setting season is here and many Multi Academy Trust (MAT) finance teams are navigating the familiar challenge of rising costs alongside increasing expectations for robust multi‑year forecasting. While spreadsheets have been a trusted tool for financial planning across the sector for many years, many trusts are now exploring whether they remain the most effective option in today’s more complex operating environment.

It’s easy to understand why spreadsheets are popular. They’re accessible, flexible, and well‑understood by practitioners across schools and trusts. However, as financial planning grows more demanding, some MATs are finding that spreadsheet‑based processes can take significant time to manage and update, particularly where multiple schools, datasets, or scenario models are involved. This can make it difficult to generate the timely insights leaders need for strategic decision‑making.

With 2026/27 budget planning underway, more MAT leaders are reflecting on how their financial systems can evolve to support accuracy, efficiency, and long‑term sustainability. For many, this includes considering the benefits of cloud‑based financial planning tools, like Sage Intacct, that offer greater visibility, enhanced collaboration, and more streamlined workflows.

Find out how Schools’ Choice and Sage Intacct can help trusts strengthen their financial planning and move toward smarter, cloud‑based ways of working:

[https://schoolschoice.co.uk/our-services/finance-services/sage-intacct/](https://schoolschoice.co.uk/our-services/finance-services/sage-intacct/)

 

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Schools' Choice

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### [Are schools relying on AI too much? April 1, 2026](https://blog.isbl.org.uk/are-schools-relying-on-ai-too-much)

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