Finance Officer, Romford RM6 4RS

The successful candidate will be directly responsible to the Governing Body for ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the Academy budget. This is a hands-on role requiring flexibility of approach, strong leadership and enthusiasm.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Headteacher on all matters financial that affect the smooth running of the Academy finances by providing advice and guidance across all areas of Academy life.

The successful candidate will line manage an Assistant Finance Officer.

The Post will encompass

· Being a member of the Senior Management Team of the Academy.

· Management of the Academy’s financial operation systems, ensuring that they are efficient, fit for purpose and comply each year with the DFE Academy Trust Handbook.

· Ensuring the Academy’s accounts are maintained in line with prevailing Financial Standards and good accounting practice.

· Producing regular financial reports for distribution to the Headteacher, and Trustees.

· Providing financial support and assistance to budget holders across the Academy.

· Compiling for submission all DFE and other returns in a timely manner.

· Arranging and co-ordinating both internal Audits and the annual external Academy audit of the Academy.

A detailed job specification is attached /available on the Academy website.

Chadwell Heath Academy is a standalone Academy, it is financially independent, receiving its funding direct from the DFE Funding Agency. We embrace the notion of seeking success for all our pupils. We have been very successful in managing our own affairs to the benefit of pupils and staff. Financial control and discipline remain central to our operation. We embrace all national agreements on pay and conditions of service. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that we remain financially viable and comply with all legislation.

Candidates wishing to apply for the role should write a personal statement of no more than one side of A4, detailing how their experience and qualifications have prepared them to fulfill the job description.

Job Spec

FINANCE OFFICER FOR CHADWELL HEATH ACADEMY

JOB SPECIFICATION

LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Finance Officer is directly responsible to the Board of Governors.

LINE MANAGEMENT

The Finance Officer is responsible for the management of the Financial Assistant on a day-to-day basis.

OPERATIONAL

• To work collaboratively with the Headteacher.
• Attend meetings of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Governing Body and Finance, Personnel, Risk and Audit Committee (FPRAC)
• Participate in the strategic decision making within the Academy’s SLT.
• In conjunction with the Headteacher, plan and manage change in accordance with the Academy’s development plan.
• In conjunction with the Headteacher, to be responsible for the periodic update of the Risk Register and its presentation to the Governing Body.
• Understand the effects and implications of government policies and company and charity legislation for current and future initiatives and ensure that resources are organised and used appropriately.
• Keep up to date with developments and changes in legislation and guidance and communicate appropriate information to colleagues and the Governing Body. Advise the Headteacher, Governing Body and its committees as appropriate.
• Seek, consider, and act upon professional support and advice as required.
• Attend training sessions, meetings and Academy events as required.

FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING

• Hold the role of Financial Officer as defined in the Academy Trust Handbook.
• Pursue and maximise income through appropriate investments, and participation in the preparation and submission of applications and bids to the DFE
• In conjunction with the Headteacher and FPRAC prepare the Academy’s annual budget for submission to the Governing Body for approval.
• Monitor income and expenditure in relation to the Academy’s budget and produce monthly management accounts for the Headteacher, Governing Body and FPRAC
• Maintain a strategic financial plan that indicates trends and requirements of the Academy’s development plan and forecast future years’ budgets.
• Identify and inform the Headteacher, FPRAC and Governing Body of significant variances to budget, outlining reasons and options available for corrective action.
• Manage all bank accounts including investments and the Academy’s credit card(s), ensuring monthly reconciliations completed by the Finance Assistant are produced accurately.
• Ensure accurate VAT accounting and that VAT reclaim returns are submitted in a timely manner.
• Be responsible for cashflow projections and for ensuring that all elements of cash handling including collections and disbursements, banking and security, fundraising and Academy trips comply with the academy’s financial procedures manual.
• To sample the accuracy of salaries on a monthly basis in line with the Academy’s Financial Manual and produce journals to be entered onto the Academy’s computerised finance accounting package.
• Ensure that the placement of orders by the Finance Assistant are processed through the Academy’s computerised finance accounting package and comply with the academy’s financial procedures manual.
• Ensure that all tendering and procurement activities are undertaken within the rules stated in the Academy Trust handbook. Record procurement decisions and their rationale for audit purposes.
• In conjunction with the Headteacher, be responsible for the annual update of the Scheme of Delegation and its presentation to the FPRAC.
• Be responsible for the completion of all DFE returns, for example: Budget Forecast Return, Academy Resource Management Self-Assessment Tool, Land and Building Collection Tool, and their submission in a timely manner.
• Keep all Academy accounts and prepare income and expenditure reports in accordance with the DFE financial regulations and prepare accounts for submission to the Academy’s external auditors.
• Arrange and co-ordinate the annual audit, and internal scrutiny visits, liaising with all parties involved, and ensure that the year-end financial statements conform to the required standard and are submitted to Companies House and the DFE in good time.
• Advise the Headteacher and the Chairman of the FPRAC if fraudulent activities are suspected or uncovered. Any potential breech must be investigated via the staff discipline policy.

ADMINISTRATION

· To act as Clerk to the FPRAC.

· Establish and use effective methods to review and improve administrative systems within the Academy, in particular the Academy’s finance packages.

· Ensure that the Academy’s financial procedures manual is reviewed and updated as necessary and that it reflects the requirements of the academy trust handbook as provided by the DFE.

· Collate information, statistics and prepare reports as required by the Headteacher and Governing Body.

· Process, input, extract and analyse information from the Academy’s system(s).

· Ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

· To be responsible for the preparation and distribution of all financial paperwork for meetings of the Governing Body, Annual General Meeting and meetings of the FPRAC

· In conjunction with the Academy ICT Manager, be responsible for the Academy’s asset registers ensuring they are maintained and regularly updated.

· In conjunction with the Assistant Headteacher and Academy Premises Manager, oversee the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) and ensure that the Academy is, at all times, properly insured.

NOTE: To carry out other duties as required by the Governing Body. This job description does not attempt to define all duties and responsibilities of the post but is intended to be a framework. It may be subject to modification or amendment after consultation with the post holder.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £49,056.00-£55,323.00 per year

Expected hours: 36.0 per week

Benefits:

• On-site parking

Work Location: In person