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Key Finance Business Partnering responsibilities
- Provide efficient financial assistance and support to Headteachers regarding all aspects of financial management within the Trust including advising on financial implications of different costing scenarios .
- Maintain strong relationships with stakeholders throughout the organisation, and particularly with Headteachers and budget leaders. This will require having a presence/ working directly with stakeholders across our schools as part of your ongoing business partnering focus - e.g., meet regularly with the Headteachers/ leaders to discuss monthly expenditure against budget.
- Provide guidance for the other members of the finance team as required.
- Provide training to school-based staff on financial and procurement processes.
- Liaising with external regulators such as the ESFA/DfE, Charity Commission, Companies House, external auditors and internal auditors as required.
Key Financial Management Responsibilities
- Preparation of accurate and timely monthly management accounts including detailed analysis of budgetary variances in line with the month end timetable.
- Preparation of school budgets and forecasts including 5 year strategic plans.
- Determination and upload of prepayments and accruals postings on a monthly basis and reconciliation of the balance sheet accounts, including payroll and intra company accounts.
- Carry out monthly payroll reconciliations, investigate variances and liaise with colleagues to ensure integrity and accuracy of the staffing information and forecasting data.
- Meet regularly with the Head of Finance and Director of Finance to review expenditure against budget, the latest forecast and any other relevant financial information.
- Share good financial practice, and encourage a 'one organisation’ approach across schools
- Support leaders with external grants; asset management plans; and contract renewals/ value for money etc.
- Assist with the preparation and completion of all forms and returns required by the ESFA (budget forecasts, annual accounts return etc.).
- Assist with the internal and external audit processes.
- Assist with the maintaining of effective systems of internal audit control.
- Conduct regular audits of school financial processes to ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and financial regulations.
- Support the annual closure of accounts process by ensuring that all schools complete year end procedures within specified timescales, completing accrual and prepayment journals, and analysing and checking ledger accounts.
- Strive to improve and simplify finance processes and policies wherever possible - balancing risks and benefits appropriately.
- To provide cover for other Finance Business Partners as required.
- Assist with the joining/conversion process for new schools in terms of financial aspects.
