Trust Finance Manager

This role is integral part of the Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust (DoWMAT) Central Team; supporting the CFO in providing trust wide financial support and centralised cash management.

MAIN PURPOSES OF THE ROLE

Operate within the Central Team.
Provide an efficient and effective service in financial administration, working within agreed policies and procedures.
Undertaking financial administrative and organisational processes.
Acting as an integral part of the Trust Central Team, and as such to make a contribution to the overall aims of the Trust, working within agreed policies and procedures.
Accountable for decision-making, short-term planning and dealing with unexpected problems within the Trust office.
Responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within the Trust.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (as required)

Build strong, collaborative working relationships with headteachers / school leadership team, being a key finance contact for assigned schools.
Contribute to the planning, development and organisation of the Trust's finance systems, procedures and policies.
Ensure compliance with Trust finance procedures, policies and recommendations, and that all financial business conforms to best value.
Alert CEO, CFO to any concerns with Trust school finances or Trust staff not meeting their financial obligations or not working in accordance with the Trusts policy and procedures.
Assist in tracking the Trust's financial status and performance to identify areas for potential improvement.
Under the guidance of the CFO, ensure timely and accurate preparation and submission of routine finance returns.
Be integral to the delivery and completion of both internal and external audit process.
Prepare accurate and timely management accounts, providing analysis of forecast variances and working with school leaders to address any issues.
Be responsible for the distribution of financial reports, including monthly management accounts, and provide meaningful benchmarking.
Preparation of robust annual budgets and 3 year financial plans with headteachers and identifying budgets of concern to the CFO.
Work with CFO to ensure financial decision are aligned with operational development plans.
Initial point of contact for finance queries, and to offer support to school based staff.
Complete / Review Trust cash book i.e ensure payments are allocated correctly to Supplier accounts, recording income accurately with high level of attention to detail.
Review and authorise weekly BACS report in line with Trust procedure. Being responsible for supplier remittances and dealing with Purchase Ledger queries.
Complete / Review month end processes in line with Trust procedures i.e Bank Reconciliation, control account reconciliation, closing/opening periods in the Trust finance system.
Overview and responsibility for the reconciliation monthly commercial card statements.
Produce monthly VAT126 Return for review by CFO.
Maintaining and updating of the Trust Fixed asset register and recording of monthly depreciation. Maintaining the Trusts contracts register.
Preparation and distribution of monthly salary reconciliation in line with Trust procedure.
Assist with other admin/finance tasks as delegated, when required.
Support with finance function in school in absence of school finance / office staff.
Aid in seeking out methods for minimising financial risk to the Trust.
Identify efficiencies and areas of potential savings.
To establish and maintain strong lines of communication with internal Leadership and external agencies.
When required, processing and overview of Purchase Orders, Purchase Invoices, Sales Invoices, Receipts, supplier request forms and Journals.
When required, review and input staff Expense claims, To contribute to the positive team atmosphere and public image of the Trust.
To act professionally and with integrity at all times.
To assist with the general care and welfare of all pupils striving to maintain a happy safe environment at all times.
To adhere to and maintain school routines and codes of conduct, including confidentiality.
To support the aims and ethos of the Trust and schools at all times.
To maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participating in appropriate training activities.
To undertake other such duties and training as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.
To undertake Health and Safety duties commensurate with the post and / or as detailed in the School Health and Safety Policy.

NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in finance or qualified by experience

Experience of financial administration work, including budget control

Qualified or part-qualified (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA)

Experience in school / academy trust environment

Desire to continue with further CPD

Skills and Knowledge

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to engage and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders

Ability to support and respectively challenge leaders where appropriate

Ability to manage competing priorities

Ability to work proactively, plan and organise workload, to optimise resources and complete targets within agreed timescales

Ability to organise effective and efficient office systems for record keeping, information retrieval and dissemination of data and documentation

ICT competency, in particular the use of excel, including the manipulation of spreadsheets

Experience of working within a centralised function

Experience in using IMP software

Knowledge of education, academies, public / not for profit organisation

Knowledge of the Academies Handbook

Personal Qualities

Personable, shares and listens to information, opinions and ideas, using a range of effective approaches

Organised, able to work independently, and adaptable.

Acts with discretion and keeps confidentiality

Able to give supportive challenge to senior leaders and their staff, open to understanding their needs and can respond accordingly

A creative and positive mind-set

Personal strength of character through transparency, integrity and fairness

Resilient attitude with the ability to learn

hard and enjoy being part of the team

Experience of supporting organisational change

Ability to communication finance to non-finance audiences

Ability to seek and identify improvement to processes.

Other

A commitment to uphold and promote equality of opportunity

Demonstrates an understanding of Safeguarding issues relevant to the post

A deep commitment to the vision, values and aims of the Trust