Schools Finance Business Partner

About the role

The Schools Finance Business Partner is a key role within our Management Accounting Team. Working as part of a supportive team, each Management Accountant/Finance Business Partner takes the lead in a designated service area and provides advice and support with financial planning, reporting, costing, financial training and development.

• Management duties require the postholder to ensure that all members of the team feel motivated and supported in their roles through appraisals, regular one to ones and development opportunities. Directly line managing Assistant Finance Business Partner and a number of Accountancy Officers.
• Responsible for setting, monitoring and reviewing the financial policies and procedures of schools, ensuring they comply with statutory requirements, accounting codes of practice and the financial reporting requirements of the Councils.
• Work closely with schools to enable them to understand their financial responsibilities by coordinating, developing and providing financial management training and support as required.

About you

The successful candidate would either be a fully qualified accountant with active membership of a reputable accounting body (CIPFA, ACA, CIMA, ACCA) or qualified by experience. Skills and experience to include, but are not limited to;

• Experience of taking responsibility for the operation, maintenance and development of the schools funding formula and calculation of annual budget shares to school, including completing Authority Proforma Tool, School Forum reports and consultations.
• Experience of year end close down with schools to agreed timeframes.
• Experience of supporting school reviews of financial performance and taking appropriate and timely action when projections indicate that action is required.
• Experience of completing statutory returns, reporting and undertaking tasks to ensure that AfC are compliant with all rules and regulations that relate to grants and returns.
• Experience of maintaining effective partnership working arrangements with key partners and stakeholders, including schools, governors, senior leaders, auditors, Government agencies and councils.

About our benefits

We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:

• 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term term workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract.)
• Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC.
• Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension).
• Flexible working options – helping to keep a good work life balance.
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
• A range of staff benefits and discounts.
• An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway.

Important Information

Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.

Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.

Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

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