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- Tasks: Manage financial resources for SEND and ensure accurate budget allocations.
- Company: Join a supportive team dedicated to enhancing education for all students.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to support students with special educational needs.
- Qualifications: Strong numeracy skills and experience in financial environments are essential.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic educational setting.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Management of overall financial resources and procedures for SEND ensuring implementation of the new Schools Funding Arrangements 2013, including responsibility for SEN transport finance and post 16 transport finance.
Co-ordination and production of data information for statutory returns to the DfE, Freedom of Information requests etc. using Synergy, Liquid Logic, excel spreadsheets and any other SEN sources of information.
Administer the process for determining eligibility for free school meals, including liaising with schools and parents.
Job Context
Responsible to the Principal Education Finance Officer. Responsibility for SEN delegation, recoupment, contingency claims, income and expenditure, i-procurement, including transport budget and managing external contracts. Responsibility for the free school meals eligibility process and the free school meals eligibility traded service. The post holder may occasionally be required to work outside 'normal' office hours / as required by their line manager up to 36 hours per week.
Experience
The post holder is required to have a high level of numeracy and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. They will also need to have the ability to deal professionally with internal clients, schools and academies and have a commitment to providing a quality service. The postholder must also be able to work effectively within a team. Prioritising own workload to meet conflicting deadlines while ensuring that critical fixed deadlines take absolute priority. A broad understanding of the different accounting principles and processes that relate to LA maintained schools, academies and free schools and of local authority accounting standards. Experience of working in a financial environment and of having used computerised financial systems e.g. Fusion would be an advantage. Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including the development and use of macros, are essential together with a very good knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook.
Key Result Area (SEN)
To be able to input data accurately into the team produce reports. To undertake data maintenance and analysis using spreadsheets. Determine the high needs budget allocation for schools, academies and early years providers using Education Health Care Plan data. Revise these allocations throughout the years as EHCPs are awarded and when pupils move school. Lead responsibility for SEND Recoupment between LA's for Looked After Children (LAC) and for schools that have bought into the service. Meet with individual Headteachers and SENCOs. Training to all early years and school SENCOs on budget allocation. In conjunction with the Team Manager, responsibility for verifying and processing contingency claims. Budget monitoring.
Expected End Result
Accurate forecasting to prepare for changes in need and provide cost effective provision to meet needs. Schools, academies and high needs settings are provided with accurate and timely allocations and details of how these sums have been calculated. Accurate forecast of funding. All income received and invoices paid on time to reduce penalty payments. Answer any queries in person to ensure Headteachers understand their allocation of budget for meeting the needs of pupils with SEN. Once a year, meet with new SENCOs to explain allocation of funds and answer questions about their expenditure to meet the needs of pupils with SEN.
Education Finance Officer in Romford employer: 5 Star Recruitment
Contact Detail:
5 Star Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Finance Officer in Romford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Education Finance Officers on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role in this field. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of SEND funding arrangements and local authority accounting standards. We recommend creating a cheat sheet with key points to discuss, so you can impress your interviewers with your expertise!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your Excel skills! Since advanced Excel is essential for this role, consider preparing a mini portfolio of projects or reports you've created using Excel. Bring it along to your interview to demonstrate your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for your application and interviews. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm for the role and our organisation!
We think you need these skills to ace Education Finance Officer in Romford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Education Finance Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Numeracy Skills: Since this role requires a high level of numeracy, don’t shy away from showcasing your mathematical abilities. Include specific examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles, especially in financial environments.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Make sure your points are easy to read and straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that get to the heart of your qualifications without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and allows us to keep track of all submissions efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at 5 Star Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Education Finance Officer, you'll need to demonstrate a high level of numeracy. Brush up on your financial principles and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to handle complex financial data and make accurate forecasts.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Software
Since the role involves using systems like Synergy, Liquid Logic, and advanced Excel, make sure you're comfortable with these tools. If you have experience with macros in Excel, be prepared to talk about specific instances where you've used them to streamline processes or improve accuracy.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in this role, especially when liaising with schools and parents. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. You might even want to prepare a few scenarios where you've successfully communicated important information to non-financial stakeholders.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This position requires working effectively within a team, so be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where you’ve helped resolve conflicts or contributed to team goals, especially in a financial context.
