ION

Sage Intacct

ION licenses and implements Sage Intacct accounting software for Multi Academy Trusts, Colleges and Higher Education.

Features

• True cloud accounting for education
• Multi entity consolidation, in real-time
• Process automation
• Spend management
• Prebuilt SOFA and DfE Reports
• Custom financial reports
• End-to-end purchase-to-pay
• AAR automation
• 3rd party integrations for education
• Bank integrations

Benefits

• Access financial data from anywhere, on any device
• Automate tasks and activities
• Streamline workflow prcocesses
• Reduce manual operations
• Reduce the cost of financial operations
• Accurate financial data
• Audit ready
• Remote collaboration
• Control costs and manage spend
• Access to ecosystem

• Education pricing available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at rob@ionhq.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 15

Service ID

771566937392589

Contact

Rob Mathieson
0191 466 1231
rob@ionhq.co.uk

About your service

• Service categories:

  Applications

  Enterprise resource management

  • Procurement

  Financial

  • Financial and Accounting Applications
  • Accounts Payable Applications
  • Accounts Receivable Applications
  • Travel and Expense Management Applications
• Multi cloud support: Yes

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
• Service constraints: No
• System requirements: Web browser access

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support response times: Response times are based on SLA urgency levels.; Urgent - 2 hours; High - 2 hours; Medium - Time subject to backlog prioritisation; Low - Time subject to backlog prioritisation; ; No response on weekends.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: Yes, at an extra cost
• Web chat support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Web chat accessibility testing: Webchat is provided via Zendesk and is tested by them.
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: Support levels are based around customers purchasing a volume of credits per month. This is an annual contract. 1 credit is 30 minutes and subject to time taken for resolution. ; Three packages available are:; Essentials - 8 credits/month - £375/month; Enhanced - 15 credits/month - £750/month; Premier - 30 credits month - £1500/month; ION operates a fair usage policy. Customers can purchase additional credits if required. Credits do not roll over across months.; 15% discount applied if paid annually.
• Support available to third parties: No
• AI chatbot: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: Our onboarding process is a structured, collaborative journey designed to ensure every customer goes live quickly, confidently, and with maximum long-term value. It combines expert-led implementation with 10 hours of remote training and two months of dedicated onboarding support, giving teams the time, guidance, and reassurance they need to adopt Sage Intacct for Education successfully.; Customers are supported by specialists who lead them through system configuration, data migration, reporting, and best-practice financial workflows tailored specifically to the education sector. ; Alongside live training sessions, customers receive full access to our training workbook, helpdesk videos, and knowledge-base articles, enabling users to learn at their own pace and reinforce what they’ve been taught.; This blended approach ensures users are not only trained but truly enabled, driving rapid adoption, high confidence, and strong operational outcomes. The result is a smooth go-live, reduced risk, and a robust foundation for long-term success and continuous improvement.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats: HTML
• End-of-contract data extraction: Users are able to extract their data via CSV.
• End-of-contract process: At the end of the contract the customer has the option to continue the service or terminate. If termination is selected, it is the responsibility of the customer to export data and migrate to a new system. ION can assist with this, but this would include an additional cost depending on what is required.
• Documentation accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AA

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: Sage Intacct can be accessed on mobile devices including smart phones and tablets.; ; Functional variation will depend on the actual device.
• Service interface: No
• User support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: An open published API exists for full integration with the Sage Intacct data and functions.; ; Users can access the publicly available information online at https://developer.intacct.com for full details on how to access and use the API service.; ; Knowledge of the Sage Intacct application is a recommendation for developers working with the open API.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• API sandbox or test environment: Yes
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: Sage Intacct can be customised in many different ways, such as data fields, workflow process, reports, smart rules, etc. ; These customisations are usually undertaken by ION's trained Sage Intacct specialists, but can also be completed by individuals within the customers organisation.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: Sage Intacct ensures users are unaffected by the activity of others through its cloud architecture hosted on AWS, providing strong resource isolation and scalability.; ; Each customer’s data and processes are logically separated within a multi-tenant environment, preventing interference. Elastic Load Balancing distributes workloads across servers, and AWS Auto Scaling dynamically adjusts compute and storage to maintain consistent performance during spikes in demand.; ; Continuous monitoring with AWS CloudWatch tracks resource usage, enabling automated remediation if required. Regular load and stress testing further ensures performance independence. This combination guarantees that each user experiences reliable, consistent service regardless of other users’ activity.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: No

Resellers

• Supplier type: Reseller providing extra features and support
• Organisation whose services are being resold: Sage

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Staff screening not performed
• Government security clearance: None

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations:
  • United Kingdom
  • European Economic Area (EEA)
• User control over data storage and processing locations: No
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 4.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: Another external penetration testing organisation
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Physical access control, complying with CSA CCM v4.0
  • Physical access control, complying with SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
  • Encryption of all physical media
  • Scale, obfuscating techniques, or data storage sharding
  • Other
• Other data at rest protection approach: For further details on protection of data at rest please refer to the materials here: https://aws.amazon.com/compliance/data-protection/
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Deleted data can’t be directly accessed / Cryptographic Erasure
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation / Secure Erase
  • Degaussing
  • Physical Destruction / Hardware containing data is completely destroyed

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: Data can be exported using SQL tools (where permissions are granted) or using Microsoft Excel where the data can be retrieved in Excel or CSV format.; ; Data can also be extracted in PDF format or HTML (certain functions).
• Data export formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data export formats:
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Adobe PDF
  • HTML
• Data import formats: CSV

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Legacy SSL and TLS (under version 1.2)
• Data protection within supplier network:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Legacy SSL and TLS (under version 1.2)
  • Other
• Other protection within supplier network: Customer data is encrypted if transmitted over public networks, mandated by law or regulation (i.e. PCI) or Sage determine encryption is necessary.; ; When data is transmitted over public networks or private networks Sage uses 128bit+ encryption techniques - Secure Sockets Layer (SSL/TLS) or Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC).; ; For wireless customer data: encrypted using Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) technology if WPA capable, otherwise VPN or TLS at 128-bit.; ; Where encryption at rest is mandated by law or regulation sensitive customer data is rendered unreadable by using One-way hashes (hashed indexes) such as SHA Truncation or Strong cryptography, e.g Triple-DES 128-bit/AES 256-bit.

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: Our goal is to provide 24x7 availability of the Sage Intacct Core Financials application service and certain other Sage products1, and we offer subscription credits for any availability below 99.8%. You can receive a credit of 10% of your subscription fees for the month in which the outage event(s) occurred for every percentage point that Service Availability2, falls below 99.8%, up to a maximum of 50% of the applicable subscription fees for that month. To receive a credit, you must submit a request to us within 15 days after the month in which the Service Availability outage event(s) occurred. Any credit will be applied against subsequent monthly subscription fees due to us or, at our option, refunded to you. In addition, with the exception of Sage Intacct Retail, the availability of these products is backed up by a complete disaster recovery program.
• Approach to resilience: Sage Intacct uses AWS Datacentres.; ; Info available here - https://aws.amazon.com/resilience/
• Outage reporting: Public Dashboard alerting and subscription to email alerts.; ; Offficial Sage System Status page (status.sage.com) for real-time info and subscribe for updates; Third-party sites like StatusGator and Downdetector for user reports

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Only employees with dedicated customer facing roles are provided access to the customers interface. This is usually to ensure system updates are completed and assisting with support issues.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Username or password

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: At least 12 months

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: No
• Security governance approach: ION works with an external third party that manages our security governance and provides periodic assessment of security practices.
• Information security policies and processes: The CEO provides overall ownership of security policies within the business. The Data and Systems Assurance Manager looks after day-to-day policies and process. A third party supplier provides additional security governance and periodic assessment of security practices.
• Software Security Code of Practice: Yes

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Configuration and change management approach: Changes to information resources are managed and executed according to a defined ticket and change management process. This process helps us review, authorize, test, document and implement/release in-scope proposed changes in a controlled manner; and monitor the status of each proposed change.; ; Applications transmitting, processing or storing Sage Intacct customer data leverage a System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) framework methodology that encourages security as a built-in function.; ; The SDLC includes security testing and source code analysis for changes; separate development, test and production environments with segregation of duties; and removal of test data and accounts before production systems go live.
• Vulnerability management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Vulnerability management approach: Patch and Vulnerability Management; ; Sage Intacct has processes in place to:; ; Update all system components and software with the latest vendor-supplied security patches.; ; Identify newly discovered security vulnerabilities (through subscription to alert services).; ; Update standards to address newly discovered vulnerabilities.
• Protective monitoring type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Protective monitoring approach: Sage Intacct protective monitoring uses continuous, centralised logging/real-time monitoring across systems, applications, networks plus user activity. Audit logs, intrusion detection systems, firewall logs, data integrity monitoring and threat intelligence are correlated to identify indicators of compromise, suspicious behaviour and policy violations. Alerts are generated automatically and reviewed by security personnel on a scheduled and event-driven basis. When a potential compromise is identified, it is investigated immediately in line with a formal Security Incident Response Plan, including containment, remediation and escalation where required. High-severity alerts are reviewed within hours, with incident response initiated immediately and supported by defined recovery, reporting/regulatory processes.
• Incident management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v4.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Incident management approach: Pre-defined processes for common events: We maintain a documented Security Incident Response Plan with procedures for events such as unauthorised access, malware, data loss, and service disruption. These processes are regularly tested and updated to ensure effectiveness.; ; User reporting of incidents: Users can report potential security incidents through established support and escalation channels. Incidents identified through protective monitoring are automatically triaged and reviewed by trained security personnel.; ; Incident reporting: All incidents are investigated, contained, and remediated. Outcomes, root cause analysis, and remediation actions are documented, with reports shared with stakeholders and customers, including regulatory notifications where required.
• Post-quantum cryptography secure: No

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Conforms to a recognised standard, but self-assessed

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Pricing

• Discount for educational organisations: Yes
• Free trial available: No

Discount percentage by annual call-off contract value (excluding VAT)

• Less than £250,000: 40%
• Between £250,000 and £500,000: 50%
• Between £500,001 and £1,000,000: 50%
• Between £1,000,001 and £2,500,000: 50%
• Between £2,500,001 and £5,000,000: 50%
• Over £5,000,001: 50%

Non-mandatory Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: BSI
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: Tuesday 10 December 2024
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: Not applicable.
• ISO 28000:2022 certification: No
• ISO 9001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO 9001 certification: BSI
• ISO 9001 accreditation date: Friday 1 August 2025
• What the ISO 9001 doesn’t cover: Not applicable.
• Quality management systems (QMS): Yes
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: Yes
• Who accredited the PCI DSS certification: A-lign
• PCI DSS accreditation date: Monday 17 March 2025
• What the PCI DSS doesn’t cover: Not applicable.
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Please provide your Cyber Essentials Certificate Number: D229171b-bb82-4e41-9695-0816fedbfb8a
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Cyber Essentials Alternative: None of the criteria
• Other security certifications: No

Social value

• Section B - Commitment for Future: Delivery:

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 1: Fair work: That offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country. Notes: Where there is a large proportion of labour costs in the contract, commercial teams should consider MAC in Outcome 1 as a priority

    • New or retained jobs on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b, 1c and 1d
    • Payment of more than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (as appropriate) to the contract workforce

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 2: Skills for growth: Supporting growth sectors and addressing skills gaps.

    • Understanding of employment and relevant skills issues, and of the education and training issues relating to the contract. Illustrative examples: demographics, skills shortages, new opportunities in high growth sectors, geographic/local community and skills/employment challenges
    • Activities to support relevant sector related skills growth and sustainability in the contract workforce. Illustrative examples: careers talks, curriculum support, literacy support, safety talks and volunteering

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at rob@ionhq.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.