Finance Manager

The Projects Finance Manager will lead on all arrangements in relation to all aspects of pre-opening finance for new and transition academies, as well as the existing Schools capital programmes. They will provide advice, support and training for finance staff in schools joining the network of academies, as well as the Projects Team.

Key responsibilities
Projects Team
*Prepare management accounting reports for the projects team and support budget holders with re forecasting
*Manage the projects team year end reconciliation, closure of projects accounts and analysis of position
*Liaise between the finance and projects teams to share information and provide regular reports on budgets, cash flow forecasts and available funding
*Continue the process of implementing an integrated ordering and budgeting system, providing support to the projects and finance teams

New and Transition Academies
*Manage all aspects of new and transition schools' finance, prior to schools joining the network, and support, as required, during the initial post-opening period, with support from the project managers and project coordinators
*Work with stakeholders, both centrally and within schools, to manage the due diligence aspects of pre-opening
*Work with the Head of Projects to review the financial feasibility of potential projects and submit project summaries to Risk and Audit Committee and the Schools Board for approval
*Implement models and processes for managing the finance component of new academy projects from project identification and board approval through to post-opening budgeting
*Liaise with predecessor schools to confirm closing balances, and allocation of funds in the pre-opening phase, and support schools in processing this
*Monitor, and report regularly on, pre-opening budgets for schools
*Prepare and present all school financial budgets and analysis to the Project Boards
*Prepare all relevant financial returns, and required analysis, for the DfE and Local Authorities

Capital Projects
*Manage the process, and reporting, for all capital projects, ensuring appropriate approvals and financial control, training budget holders as required
*Prepare all returns and reporting as required by the DfE
*Support the trusts cash flow management by preparing projections for capital projects for consolidation by finance

Other
*Carry out other reasonable tasks from time to time as directed by the trusts Head of FP&A or Head of Projects

Person Specification: Projects Finance Manager

Qualification Criteria
*Accountancy Qualified
*Right to work in the UK.

Knowledge and Experience
*Experience of preparing and analysing budgets
*Knowledge of due diligence processes
*Experience of preparing financial reports and presentations for various stakeholders
*Experience of working with a range of internal and external partners including non-finance personnel
*Experience of developing, and delivering, training sessions
*Experience and/or knowledge of schools or education finance would be desirable, but not essential
*Experience of working with Local Authorities and/or the DfE beneficial, but not essential

Skills and Abilities
*Excellent IT and spreadsheet skills
*Exceptional written and oral communication skills
*Strong organisational, project management and planning skills
*Ability to ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times
*Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting demands
*Proactive and innovative demonstrable approach to work
*Strong financial management skills