Head of Finance and Property

The Head of Finance and Property is responsible for:

Providing financial leadership and professional financial management for the school, including that of its extended facilities in accordance with administering payroll and pension related functions.

Deliver comprehensive financial planning, ensure robust financial systems and controls to safeguard finances and ensure efficiency and value for money.

Assisting the governors, Head of School and senior leadership team (SLT) in formulating aims and objectives of the school and in establishing the policies, systems and procedures through which they shall be achieved, including development of resource plans as required.

• Advising on compliance with legislation and guidance, for example, Charity legislations, Department for Education (DfE).
• Supporting and encouraging the schools ethos and its objectives, policies and procedures.
• Ensure the impact of financial strategy and management directly impacts on educational outcomes for students.

Duties and responsibilities

• Other duties of an appropriate level and nature may also be required, as directed by the Head of School.
• Please note that the post holder may be required to work outside of normal school working hours for extended school status activities, school events, meetings and emergencies.
• Finance and accounting
• In consultation with her/his line manager and the Head of School prepare the schools annual budget and review and update as necessary.
• Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with internal and external parties.
• Advise senior management and the governing board on the financial implications of government policies, providing appropriate guidance on financial governance.
• Monitor income and expenditure in relation to the schools budget, and produce monthly management reports for Head of School and Board.
• Provide budget holders with advice on matters relating to their budgets.
• Keep all school accounts and prepare income and expenditure reports in accordance with the school financial regulations, and liaise with the schools auditors and support them with the preparation of the accounts.
• Co-ordinate all the annual external audit (interim and final) and internal audit liaising with all parties involved, and preparing papers and workings
• Maintain and oversee all bank accounts completing monthly reconciliations and reporting banking errors to Head of School.
• Ensure that the schools financial procedures manual is reviewed and updated as necessary and that the school resource management self-assessment tool is maintained as per school requirements.
• Be responsible for cash flow projections and all elements of cash handling including collections and disbursements, banking and school trips.
• Maintain an effective payroll system and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation
• Be responsible for the issue of school invoices following up their prompt payment.
• Be conversant with the general principle of taxation applicable to the school and the financial implications of charitable status
• Co-ordinate and maintain a list of approved contractors and suppliers to ensure best value.
• Be responsible for the schools asset register ensuring that it is maintained and regularly updated.
• Ensure that all necessary reports and documentation are completed accurately within agreed timeframe.
• Ensure that payment request and document are approved by authorised person and ensure that proper financial procedures are adhered.
• Lead over month end accounting cycle in dynamics including bank & cash reconciliations
• Maintain timely and accurate accounting records in compliance with school policies and procedures.
• Manage day-to-day accounting functions, including regular cash verification, cash/bank reconciliation, monthly cashbooks closing, advances reconciliation, timely submission of accounts to Head of school and internal auditor.
• Ensure payments to suppliers and recurrent expenditures are made in a timely manner

Report to:Head of School

Number of positions: one

Qualification and Experience:

• BA and or Masters degree in finance/Accounting or Business Administration or ACCA
• At least 10 years' proven experience in a senior financial management position i.e., finance manager, head of finance, internal audit head or director of finance position
• At least 5 years' experience with international community school, local NGO or INGO
• Proven experience in managing large budgets.
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management.
• Competence in providing technical guidance and training.

Competencies required

• In-depth understanding of cash flow management
• Hands-on experience with budgeting and risk management
• Excellent knowledge of data analysis and forecasting models
• Solid analytical, decision-making skill and supervisory skill

The school offers attractive salary and benefit packages.