Job Description
Job Details:
Job Title- Business/Finance Manager and CFO
Salary- £36,648- £41,418
Job Type- Permanent, Full Time, whole year contract
Start date- As soon as possible
About us:
The South East Stafford Academy Trust (SESAT) is a Multi-Academy Trust based in Stafford. SESAT is committed to working collaboratively to develop the strength of all schools across the MAT within a self-improving system. Led by inspirational and innovative leaders, who have a clear and relentless focus on sustained school improvement, we ensure that our outstanding education continually evolves to give our children the best possible start in life. This is driven by our shared belief of providing our children with a broad and exciting curriculum, with embedded values that enables them to thrive in our ever-changing society and to develop a life-long love of learning. Currently SESAT is made up of two large and highly successful primary schools: Barnfields Primary School and Leasowes Primary School. This has been verified by Ofsted, including the very recent inspection at Leasowes Primary School where a grading of outstanding has been achieved in all areas.
Who we are looking for:
Are you an experienced finance professional looking for a rewarding role that can offer career progression and development? If you have a high level of business and financial acumen coupled with a pro-active and driven approach, then this could be the role for you.
The South East Stafford Academy Trust are looking to appoint a permanent Business Finance Manager and CFO to lead our central finance team. The successful candidate will be a highly ambitious, inspiring and enthusiastic professional who will provide management and leadership of financial and business services to the Multi-Academy Trust. An accounting qualification or equivalent professional experience is highly desirable. We would be particularly interested to hear from candidates who are AAT, CIMA or ACA qualified, or have similar level finance related experience. A background working within an Academy Trust or the Education/Public Sector would be highly advantageous.
This is an exciting time to join our Trust, as we have plans for growth. We are therefore looking for a forward thinking, dynamic individual who is seeking career progression as the role will ultimately develop, in line with our plans for growth.
The role will directly report to the CEO of the Trust.
Finance Manager – Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide strategic vision and to resource the Trusts objectives sustainably.
- Leading the Trust’s financial strategy to ensure the Trust meets its financial objectives.
- Develop and oversee all financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook.
- Provide guidance to the CEO, Trust leaders, including Trustees, on financial opportunity and risk.
- Monitor the financial performance of the MAT regularly and systematically report to the CEO, Finance and Audit Committee, and Board of Trustees.
- Oversee the preparation of the academy budgets and 3-year plan, working with the CEO, Headteachers and Trustees in line with the School Development Plans.
- Ensure all statutory reporting on behalf of the MAT is accurate and timely and advise Trustees on all aspects of MAT returns and complete requirements.
- Prepare and submit all financial returns e.g. BRO, Budgets, Companies House etc.
- Ensure appropriate audit and responsible officer reports are carried out for the MAT and all academies within the MAT.
- Ensure follow up on any recommendations from Internal or External Audit Reports.
- Ensure that the academies are fully prepared to meet OFSTED financial criteria.
- Lead on the internal risk processes and external audit, preparing and submitting audited statutory consolidated accounts to the ESFA and Companies House in accordance with required deadlines and driving improvements if identified.
- Ensuring that effective financial structures and controls are in place to support robust financial management and proactively manage cash reserves.
- Complete bank reconciliations, VAT returns and the production of monthly management accounts.
Business Manager- Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide strategic vision and leadership across all non-educational functions of the MAT, including business plan setting.
- Management of the central finance and administration hub for the MAT.
- Leading central team
- Developing the team’s capacity
- Leading and monitoring performance appraisal of individual team members
- Lead on Trust procurement providing appropriate advice to allow the Trust to understand and enter into contracts for services.
- Advise CEO and Trust Board in relation to financial services and secure best value for money.
- Advise the Multi Academy Trust Trustees on insurance requirements and produce such response and information as required.
- Lead on the construction, implementation and evaluation of delegated policies and procedures.
- Write and oversee tendering arrangements on behalf of the Local Governing Bodies and Trustees.
- Ensure the MAT complies with statutory requirements such as Data Protection and the Freedom of Information Act.
- Be responsible for all matters relating to Health and Safety and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation
- Oversee all recruitment processes.
- Be responsible for the management of bids e.g. CIF (Condition Improvement Fund)
- Seek external funding revenues.
Qualities and Professional Development
- Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons you come into contact with.
- Be aware of, support and ensure equal opportunities for all and ensure compliance with GDPR.
- Holds and articulate the Trust’s values and moral purpose, compellingly communicating the vision of the Trust.
- Lead and support central staff with passion, enthusiasm and integrity.
- Demonstrate optimistic personal behaviours, positive relationships and attitudes towards all stakeholders.
- Develop and maintains an appropriate professional network, working with political and financial astuteness, within a clear set of principles centered on the Trust’s vision.
- Attend briefings and participate in professional development opportunities and participate in regular performance management.
- The nature of the work may involve the postholder undertaking work outside normal working hours and may be required to attend training courses, conferences, seminars, or other training as appropriate.
- The post is subject to a check being carried out at an Enhanced level by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) regarding any previous criminal record.
- This job description is not a comprehensive definition of the post. Employees of the Trust will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from the Executive Team, Headteachers to undertake work of a similar level or commensurate with the grade and job title.
- The content of this job description will be reviewed with the post holder on an annual basis in line with the Trust’s performance and development review policy. Any significant change in level of accountability that could result in a change to the grade must be discussed with the post holder and the relevant trade union before submitting for re-evaluation.
Please send completed application forms to r.dodd@leasowes.staffs.sch.uk. The closing date for the advert is 30th April. Interviews will take place week commencing 6th May.
As part of the application process, we would welcome visits to meet the CEO and visit both schools. We have dates available on either Tuesday 23rd April at 9.15am(at Leasowes, followed by a visit to Barnfields) or Thursday 25th April at 9.15am (at Leasowes, followed by a visit to Barnfields). Please book by sending an email to r.dodd@leasowes.staffs.sch.uk
SESAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Further details regarding this check are available from schools or by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service.
It is also subject to, where applicable, an overseas check on staff who have lived or worked overseas for a period of 3 months or more. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.
SESAT is committed to adhering to General Data Protection Regulations implemented in May 2018.