Director of Finance

Director of Finance required for flourishing multi-academy trust on the Surrey/Hampshire border.

ACA/CIMA/ACCA qualified accountant from Education or Charity sector

Client Details

Director of Finance required for flourishing multi-academy trust on the Surrey/Hampshire border.

Description

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer key responsibilities include:

• To lead and manage all of the Academy Trust's financial affairs in accordance with the Trust's mission and values.
• Leading and supporting the Finance Team. (Finance Manager, 3 x Finance Officers)
• Preparing the 3-5 year financial forecasts and plans.
• Ensuring financial awareness across the Trust about the use of financial procedures, including business planning.
• Contributing to the development and review of the strategic business plan ensuring objectives are linked to the overall long-term financial plan of the Trust
• Developing and updating the PSF accounting systems for the Trust
• Supporting individual academies in preparing and monitoring annual budgets.
• Strategic financial planning and budgetary control, including the development and maintenance of a comprehensive budget model covering income and expenditure, balance sheet and cash forecasts.
• Preparing monthly management and annual statutory accounts and reports as required by the CEO, the Board of Trustees and external funding agencies.
• Providing clear financial information and reports for all budget holders necessary to ensure achievement of the Trust objectives.

• Ensuring that all financial practices are organised efficiently and effectively and are fully documented to withstand external scrutiny from auditors and others.
• Identifying and planning the external (and internal) audit schedules, participating in any relevant audit review and engaging in post audit activities.
• Managing investment of surplus funds including negotiation of facilities with banks.
• Maintaining a fixed asset and property register, including plans, registers and valuation of land, buildings and equipment.
• Providing advice on financial policies and strategies
• Ensuring the Trust has appropriate financial systems in place and managing these in accordance with the agreed policies and timetable
• Preparing of appropriate papers for presentation to meetings of Trustees and Finance Committee.
• Ensuring that the Trust comply with best practice and legal requirements in respect of all accounting processes, internal control framework, charities commission, Companies house, HMRC and pension regulations and also the Academies Finance Handbook and relevant corporate policies.
• Ensuring that financial records are accurate, complete and compliant across the Trust and that all finance information and records are confidentially stored and processed in line with GDPR requirements.
• Attending Trust Board meetings and relevant committees.
• Such other duties as may reasonably be required and are commensurate with the post.

Profile

• Education or Charity sector background
• Honours degree or equivalent in relevant subject
• Professional accountancy qualification - ACA/ACCA/CIMA
• Evidence of successful management and leadership of diverse teams
• Strategic financial planning and management, including budget setting and income generation in an academy or other organisation

• Capacity and appetite to implement and manage change within an organisation
• Excellent leadership skills and ability to inspire peers, colleagues and teams
• Ability and knowledge to produce budgets, reports, cash flow, and financial and statistical summaries.
• Experience of working with a range of external partners
• Experience of working at a senior management level

Job Offer

25 days holiday

Generous pension

Hybrid working option

Very friendly team

Impressive office location

Free parking