Job Opportunity

 

Academies Finance Manager

 

GLT Scale 7 (36-40) £33,531 to £37,294 (FTE)

(Actual £20,118 to £22,376)

Part time (0.6 FTE) - flexible to align with finance team requirements

Location:                            Currently flexible / home working with school base to be agreed

Contract:                            Permanent 52 week

Holiday entitlement:         25-30 days (depending on length of service) plus public holidays

Pension:                             Local Government Pension Scheme (Bucks LGPS)

Accountable to:                   Chief Finance Officer

Key relationships:             Pivotal central team member providing support for GLT school finance                                              staff under the direction of the Chief Finance Officer

Closing Date:                     9am Friday 26^th February

Interviews:                        3^rd March

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Job Purpose

• To support school finance staff in the budgeting and financial reporting process and to develop and enhance an effective Trust wide finance team.
• To work closely with the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and GLT Business Manager to implement and maintain effective financial processes, robust internal control and sound financial management across the Trust.
• To carry out other duties consistent with this role.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Job Description

 

Financial support service to GLT schools

 

• To provide oversight of financial administration to GLT member schools, ensuring adherence to GLT Financial Procedures and ESFA legislation.
• To work with Headteachers, Governors and School Business Managers (SBMs) to prepare short and long-term budget forecasts, ensuring each school’s financial stability.
• To support local finance staff in the monitoring of school budgets and advise on any potential variances and implications. Make recommendations on possible solutions.
• To assist school finance staff in the financial reporting returns to Headteachers, Governors, GLT Central and Trustees.
• Deliver systems training to new academies finance staff and to existing staff as required.
• To support as required any schools in the process of joining GLT, in respect of training and guidance in finance systems used by the Trust.
• Develop GLT SBM network, delivering termly meetings to include the presentation of relevant content.
• Assist SBMs in the provision of audit deliverables.
• Coordinate internal audit visits and ensure follow up process is undertaken effectively.

 

Financial support service to Central GLT team

 

• To coordinate the academies monthly management returns and provide accurate summary reporting to CFO for Trust consolidation.
• To support the Central GLT finance team to review systems and processes and to share best practice across all GLT schools.
• To provide technical accounting support for the maintenance of central finance systems, controls and reporting and for the development of centralised finance functionality.
• To prepare ‘due diligence’ documentation and analysis for prospective schools joining the Trust.

 

Other responsibilities

 

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of technical competency areas including MAT and academy finance related matters.
• Take a proactive approach to continuous professional and personal development.
• Carry out any other duties and responsibilities as reasonably required.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Person Specification

 

Qualifications and Knowledge

 

Essential

• Finance qualification – ACA, ACCA, minimum AAT or equivalent.
• Knowledge of VAT and PAYE regulations.
• Understanding of Education finance.

 

Desirable

• Knowledge of academy financial rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of charity reporting (SORP).

                                            

Experience

 

Essential

• Experience of operating complex financial systems.
• Experience of complex and multiple budget processing and systems.
• Competency in the maintenance of balance sheet controls and reconciliations.
• Evidence of an ability to work effectively with a range of different stakeholders.

 

Desirable

• Experience of working in a school or academy financial management role.
• Experience of developing school or academies financial systems.
• Experience of HCSS or similar education finance software.
• Experience of HCSS or similar budget planning software.

 

 

Technical and Applied Skills

 

Essential

• Strong Excel skills to support complex analysis and a high standard of presentation.
• Proven IT skills, competent and confident in using Microsoft Office.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and prioritise tasks.
• Strong numerical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent financial management and financial planning skills.
• Ability to introduce and maintain effective and robust financial systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Ability to analyse financial issues and to interpret complex information and to offer sound, reliable professional advice.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of the importance of achieving value for money.

 

Desirable

• Ability to interrogate school performance data and finances accurately and identify next      steps for progress.
• Ability to successfully manage initiatives for change.
• Advanced Excel skills including the use of pivot tables and macros.

                                        

Personal Aptitudes

 

• A positive outlook with the energy, drive, enthusiasm and determination to succeed.
• Must be proactive not reactive, receptive to new ideas and able to generate them.
• Ability to work as a supportive member of a small team, acting flexibly to support          colleagues at pressure points.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organisation skills with ability to prioritise, work under pressure and meet         challenging deadlines.
• Flexible and willing to learn new skills.
• Ability to work independently to tackle problems creatively and to think laterally.
• Self-motivated and a good time manager.
• Driving licence and use of own car to visit schools, etc.

 

 

For further details please contact:

 

Moira Cummins, Chief Finance Officer

moira.cummins@greatlearnerstrust.co.uk

 

or Rozalyn Thomson, CEO

rozalyn.thomson@greatlearnerstrust.co.uk

 

Please apply on the attached GLT Application Form by

9am on Friday 26^th February 2021

 

Interviews on 3^rd March

This page is kept up to date so please return