Finance Manager Quilters Infants and Juniors in Billericay

We are seeking to appoint a professional, well-organised and highly motivated person to take on the position of Finance Manager, within our friendly and successful school. The successful candidate will work closely with the Headteacher to oversee financial arrangements and control and to assist the Headteacher in budget reviews, projections, setting and monitoring. The role will also include time in the General Office each week and Midday Assistant cover, in the event of staff shortages.

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, so all roles are subject to appropriate checks. Interviews will be held as applicants apply; the school may close the advert early, should the right person apply.

Successful Candidate's should have:

• Experience of financial management and budgeting preferably in the school setting
• Good computer skills including Excel and Word
• General understanding of the operation of a school
• Ability to work within a busy environment and under pressure
• Understand procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality

Duties

Finance and Accountancy

• Advising the Headteacher/SBM on general financial policy and planning
• Co-ordination of annual budget of income and expenditure for the school
• Monitoring the annual budget and presenting management reports to the Headteacher/governors/SBM, attending relevant meetings as requested
• Keeping analysis of costs and other statistical records
• Preparation of long-term assessments of the future financial performance of the school
• Preparation of financial appraisals for projects, as required; preparation of long-term assessments of the schools fund-raising and co-ordination of income-generating activities
• Oversee orders and deliveries and ensure correct destination
• Scrutinising statements and authorising invoices for payment in accordance with school policy
• Advising on the best utilisation of school funds and investing them accordingly
• Investigating opportunities for different sources of funding
• Responsibility for the accurate completion and validity of payroll returns for the payment of all salaries and wages including PAYE, NIC and Superannuation
• Keeping all school accounts and preparing income and expenditure reports in accordance with DCSF financial regulations and preparation of accounts for submission to Essex County Council monthly and quarterly
• To undertake monthly reconciliation of the schools financial systems and all school accounts
• Preparing cheques/BACS for signature and ensuring suppliers are paid promptly
• Preparing annual accounts and ensuring that external Auditors effect audit within time limits
• Maintenance and oversight of bank accounts (investment deposit, non-public etc)
• VAT accounting and payment if necessary, cash handling (collections and disbursements, banking and security)
• Responsibility for the day-to-day running of the school fund
• Support the Business Manager in obtaining minimum of three quotations for premises works in line with school financial procedures
• Supporting the planning and co-ordination of premises improvement projects and minor capital works from a finance perspective

Personnel

• To ensure that all staff are paid correctly and in accordance with the most up-to-date pay scales
• Payroll administration arising from appointments, revision and resignation of staff
• Payroll returns relating to staff absence and sickness
• Monthly insurance claim forms; completion of Pay_6 forms (Supply, Extra Duties, Overtime, Travel Claims, lettings for school premises and swimming pool etc)
• Pay queries, liaising with Payroll Office
• General office duties as required each week
• Emergency Midday Assistant cover as required

General

• Respect confidentiality at all times
• To attend relevant training/school meetings as requested by the Headteacher
• Take responsibility for liaising with other Office Staff to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities
• Contribute to and support the overall ethos/work/aims of the school
• To participate in the performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for identification of learning, development and training opportunities in discussion with line manager
• To comply with individual responsibilities, in accordance with the role, for health & safety in the workplace
• Ensure that all duties and services provided are in accordance with the School's Equal Opportunities Policy

The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The duties above are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be required by the Headteacher to carry out appropriate duties within the context of the job, skills and grade.

Quilters Federated Governing Board is committed to:

• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety, and the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, of children and young people
• Promoting equality of opportunity and community cohesion where the diversity of different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued
• Promoting the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs and expects all staff, volunteers and other workers to share this commitment

It is recognised that this can only be achieved through sound procedures, good inter-agency co-operation and the recruitment and retention of competent, motivated employees who are suited to, and fulfilled in the roles they undertake.

The post is subject to a satisfactory disqualification declaration, DBS clearance, Social Media Checks, references and medical checks. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.