Finance Assistant

We are seeking to appoint a suitably qualified, experienced and motivated individual to take up the post of Finance Assistant. This role will support the Head of Finance, Finance Manager and Budget Holders in all aspects of financial processes. The successful candidate will have a positive and flexible approach while managing a diverse and demanding workload and be highly motivated, enthusiastic, analytical and innovative. This role provides the opportunity to be part of our expanding, progressive and forward thinking school, and to be part of a friendly, supportive and talented staff team, committed to providing an excellent education for every child.

Purpose and responsibilities:

·        To work as part of the Finance team assisting the Head of Finance to ensure the academy meets its educational needs through excellent and robust business functions.

·        To take responsibility for development and organisation of financial processes within the Trust to benefit student learning and teacher efficiency.

·        To keep abreast of developments in your key areas, to think creatively and constructively to ensure that the job is done in the most effective and time efficient way.

·        To promote the highest standards of business ethos within the administrative function of the school and ensure the most effective use of resources in support of the Academy’s learning objectives.

·        To actively model and promote the values and ethos of the Trust.

·        To contribute to the overall management and direction of the Academy’s business functions

General Duties:

To work within the strategic direction set by the Head of Finance for the day-to-day financial management of the Trust – specifically;

·        Contributing to the operation of the financial management service;

·        Finding efficient solutions to delegated aspects of the financial management processes;

·        Achieving cost effectiveness efficiency through the use of alternative processes or technology;

To be accountable for your area of the financial management processes within the academy – specifically;

·        Providing a professional efficient and cost effective financial management service, with a ‘right first time mentality’ and minimal errors;

·        Bring about, monitor and evaluate a finance culture that will bring positive benefits to student learning;

·        Create, maintain and facilitate effective relationships;

·        Be responsible for your own professional development and your accountability through the academy’s performance development system

To support the Head of Finance with:

·        the academy’s financial processes including funding and budgets so as to ensure legitimate and appropriate spending and budget management;

·        ensuring the Academy is compliant with all relevant legislation as well as DfE and Ofsted statutory requirements

Specific Responsibilities:

Trips:

·        To assist trip leader with costing and balancing trip accounts

·        To administer all trip accounts for visit leaders including cash/cheque collections, insurance claims etc

·        To assist trip leaders with suitable payment plans for school trips to ensure funds in received before trip invoices are due

·        To liaise with trip leader regarding foreign currency requirements, order and collect in time for teacher to collect

·        To ensure timely payment of invoices for trips

·        To administer refunds to parents where surplus occur on trips

·        To advise trip leaders of any outstanding balance on all trips

Trust Accounts:

·        To administer, promote and reconcile the Development Trust accounts including Gift Aid, Charity Commission Returns and Accounts

·        To complete all appropriate bank reconciliations

Hardship and Bursary Fund:

·        To administer the Hardship Fund as required

·        To administer and reconcile Pupil Premium and Bursary Funds

·        To administer FSM Vouchers and corresponding payments when applicable

Cash Collections:

·        To work with the another member of the finance team to count any cash received into the finance office

·        To be responsible for the banking of cash received as required

·        Sales to Students (on Parent Pay):

·        To administer departmental sales to students

·        To administer the ticket sales for whole school productions

·        To administer charity collections

·        To chase meal account debts and liaise with Catering contractors where appropriate

Sales Invoicing:

·        To raise sales invoices on the finance system as directed

·        To chase any aged debt after consultation with the Operations Manager

General

·        To administer Parent Pay software as required

·        To liaise with parents, dealing with queries as necessary

·        To work closely with other Team Members to ensure continued service delivery during staff absence

·        To provide assistance to the Finance Manager and Head of Finance in various tasks as delegated

·        To maintain physical financial records for audit purposes

·        To be a pro-active member of the team and ensure the department consistently delivers a high level of service to all stakeholders

Additional specific responsibilities to be agreed depending on skills and interests.

What you need to do now:

If you’re interested in this role, please click ‘apply now.’

Your consultant will be in touch with you to arrange the next steps in the recruitment process.

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