Why accountants can help schools navigate choppy waters

The remit of a school/college governor is a strategic one and a great opportunity to gain experience of operating at board level. It will test all your skills of judgement so that you make the best decisions in the interests of children. Anybody over 18 can be a governor and you don’t have to be a parent. In fact, 250,000 people are already governors, yet there remain national shortages and schools throughout England who would welcome the skills that you could bring, for example:

• Ability to challenge, ask questions, and seek solutions.
• An analytical approach, data analysis, and attention to detail.
• Being collaborative and working as a team to achieve a common goal.

Tanzila Begum, tax accountant at HMRC, has volunteered as a school governor for just over a year, and says: “Being an accountant, you come to the table with a deep understanding of how finance is at the heart of every business, no matter whether it’s commercial or otherwise, and so with that in mind, I am able to contribute by providing financial insight, data analysis and contribute to strategic planning and decision making.”

The benefits are not only professional. Becoming part of a governing board provides an opportunity to make schools better for everyone, to support your local community, and to play a part in making a positive impact on the lives of the next generation – essential now more than ever.

Interested in finding out more? Make a real difference and put your professional skills and experiences to use for future generations by becoming a school governor. Join us for a virtual session on 28 September at 12noon – sign up or find out more at Inspiring Governance.