John Somerset

John’s passion is financial viability and sustainability of non-government schools and the sector. John has 37 years Chartered Accounting experience, with 27 years specialising in schools.  

Qualifications and memberships include Master of Business (Research), Queensland University of Technology thesis “Defining the attributes of a financial sustainable Independent school”, Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, Financial Services Institute of Australasia, Fellow of Chartered Accounting Australia and New Zealand, Bachelor of Commerce, University of Queensland.

John operates the annual Somerset Education Financial Survey for Schools (FSS) which is the largest in Australia representing about 70% of the Independent Schools' market (based on enrolments) plus a significant number of Catholic systemic schools. The FSS presents trend and comparative financial metrics for participating schools in an easy-to-understand format. The quote by Bernard Marr (futurist) perfectly encapsulates this type of analysis “… like having a compass and a map – one provides direction, the other provides context. Together they enable a clear understanding of where you are, where you want to go and how to get there.”

John’s experience includes long-term governance of independent schools, past Chair of Independent Schools Queensland and past Director of Independent Schools Australia.