Schools Accountant

Schools Accountant - 22.5hpw, Term Time Only - 12 month Fixed Term Contract Barnet
£17,000-18,000 per annum (full time equivalent of £29,000-30,000)

About the role

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced finance professional to join a developing service to schools. The role is varied, requires excellent interpersonal skills and travelling to schools.

About Capita | Local Government

Capita's roots are in local government and, over the last three decades, we've evolved and changed alongside the changing needs of the sector.

We have many close, long-standing relationships with local councils, supporting them in the challenges they face by delivering a variety of services - ranging from specific software tools to significant joint working on achieving tangible external outcomes.

Barnet Council awarded Capita a 10-year contract to run the council's Customer and Support Group (CSG), including HR, finance, IT and estates, as well as outward-facing customer services (face to face customer contact, telephone call centre, and website) and the revenues and benefits service in 2013.

Three years in, this service is delivering significant benefits to the borough with overall savings of £31 million achieved alongside increased resident satisfaction.

Role Summary

The successful candidate(s) will be responsible for delivering traded services to schools, which can include the following subject to the schools supported:

Providing an accounting and financial management service for schools, including

• an accounting service including closure of accounts

• assistance in the budget preparation, budget forecasts, financial plans

• regular payroll and budget monitoring, financial control and advice service

  Providing the "School Business Manager" service to schools

  Providing an accounting and financial support service to Academies and Free Schools

  Responsibilities

• Carry out the requirements of the service specification to maintained schools for the Accountancy Service, and other financial services purchased by schools. Provide advice and guidance on financial matters such as budget costing, budgetary control, year-end budget forecasts, financial systems and documentation, Contract Standing Orders for Schools, accounting requirements, HMRC VAT regulations, cash-flow monitoring.

• Attend daytime and evening meetings with Governors to give financial advice, present monitoring reports and to deal with financial issues.

• To provide a "School Business Manager" service to schools covering some of the following areas -Management support, Finance/accountancy Plus, HR Administration, Facilities Management, Risk management/Health & safety, Procurement and contract management,

• To provide a "Financial Service" to an Academy in accordance with the Service Agreement and the requirements of the DfE/EFA and legislation and regulations relevant to the academy Trust as a company and charity.

• Make visits to schools to provide support on topics such as implementation of audit reports, use of the accounting package, preparation of year end returns, auditing of schools unofficial funds.

• Advising schools on the completion of the Schools Financial Value Standard.

• Guidance on medium and long term financial planning including preparation of Recovery Plans and solving budgetary problems

• Prepare or review the school financial management policy and procedures.

• Provide Helpdesk telephone support on the use of RM Finance; use of HCSS Budget software, accounting and financial requirements; participate in delivering training courses.

Requirements (Essential)

• An excellent communicator with staff and customers; able to explain financial matters to non-financial staff

• A competent user of accounting packages and Microsoft Office

• AAT or part/full qualified accountant

• Able to prioritise tasks and work under time limits to deliver a service specification

• A car owner/driver

  Requirements (Desirable)

• Experience of schools finance and business management

• A full accounting qualification (e.g. CIPFA or other CCAB or CIMA)

• Certificate in School Business Management

• Able to influence Headteachers re solutions to budget or financial control issues

• Able to supervise and motivate staff

  What's in it for you?

  At Capita, training and development aren't optional extras: they're how we do our job. We will motivate you to perform at your peak, recognising your achievements and rewarding them appropriately. As well as a generous basic salary we also give you a company pension scheme, 45p per mile for travel to schools outside of your typical commute and access to voluntary benefit options including; child care vouchers, share ownership scheme, life assurance and many more designed to suit your own personal lifestyle.
  
  What we hope you will do next

  Help us find out more about you by completing our short application process - click apply now

  Capita operates as an equal opportunities employer and we welcome all applications regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, disability, age, political opinions or trade union membership.

  Listen | Create | Deliver

Capita Resourcing welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of gender, race, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Capita Resourcing is a trading name of Capita Resourcing Ltd. Services offered are those of an Employment Agency and Employment Business. Applicants will be required to register with us.

If you are successful with your application, you will need complete Capita's vetting and screening checks. This will include, but not be limited to, Reference Checks, a Criminality Check, Financial Probity Check, Sanctions Check and Media Check.