Finance Director/ CFO

6 month contract as acting FD/ CFO in the Education sector, Milton Keynes based.

Experience gained in Education sector is essential

Client Details

UK based Education provider and non-profit organisation

Description

As FD/ CFO you are tasked with the Financial stewardship of several Schools, turnover circa £20m reporting to the CEO.

Principal Accountability

1. Strategic Delivery

Support the CEO in the strategic leadership and delivery of the Trust's goals.

 Provide strategic advice to the Board of Trustees, Executive Leadership Team, Principals,

local governing bodies and senior managers on all issues relating to financial, compliance and

operational matters.

 Preparing each academy's annual financial forecasts and 5-year forecasts in line with

corporate strategies and plans in consultation with the CEO and senior colleagues.

2 Finance

Fulfil the role of Chief Financial Officer in accordance with the Academies Handbook supporting

the CEO in ensuring the financial viability of the Trust, ensuring sufficient surplus funding is

generated to meet the Trust's development needs. To include:

 Develop, plan and deliver the Trust's internal and external financial reporting for the Board

of Trustees and LGBs/PFFs on the Trust's financial governance, management and objectives.

 Ensure finance staff, policies, systems and processes are developed and optimised for the

benefit of the Trust including delivering value for money purchasing and targeted cash

management.

 Represent the Trust with relevant third parties to include ESFA, external auditors, bank(s),

the LA through MK Schools Forum, Trust wide suppliers.

 Assist and challenge Principals via PFF Committees to develop optimum budgets and long

term plans.

Support the CEO in delivering good governance across the Trust by ensuring compliance with the

Trust's Memorandum and Articles of Association and associated statutory, regulatory and legal

requirements and their implementation by fulfilling the role of Company Secretary including:

 Ensure the Board's delegated authority is maintained through the scheme of delegation

along with financial delegations that are reviewed annually and adhered to.

 Ensure the Trust responds effectively and appropriately to new legislation, policy and

practice affecting multi academy trusts and member academies.

 Procuring and managing an appropriate clerking service for the Trust and its Academies.

 Ensuring all statutory returns are adhered to.

 Maintain necessary records of Trustees and Governors and ensure skills audits induction and

training is procured to support the Board's objectives.

 Ensure the Trust has access to relevant external professional advice, e. legal.

Support Trustees in delivering their duty of compliance by ensuring compliance with all legal and

regulatory requirements is delivered:

 Trust wide Policies and Procedures:

o Production, publication and communication of all Finance Procedures.

o Oversight of all other Trust wide policies and procedures ensuring maintenance and

communication of all other essential ones in a timely fashion.

o Oversee website publication compliance.

Lead and manage all of the non-academic aspects of the Trust to deliver operational excellence to

support the CEO's objective of ensuring all pupils benefit from an education that aims to enable,

enhance and enrich.

 Lead and review IT performance against SLA and develop a 5-year IT plan in line with Trust

objectives ensuring appropriate staffing and resources.

 Be accountable for the production and delivery of support function budgets.

 Lead and direct the MAT Business Manager Group via termly meetings.

 Attend Board and Trust committee meetings and Local Governing Body meetings as

required.

Profile

Essential Criteria:

• Degree educated
• Qualified Accountant
• Senior Financial Leadership experience gained within the Education/ Schools / Academy Trust sector is essential
• UK Based, able to commute 3 days per week to Milton Keynes
• UK Right to Work

Job Offer

6 month contract role, hybrid working