Finance Officer

Job content

Bourne Grammar School is a dynamic educational community built on strong ethical foundations. We believe in supporting all members of our school, whether they be students or staff, and we share a commitment to fostering a positive atmosphere and promoting the best possible outcomes for all. As an employer we ensure strong professional development opportunities and encourage staff to identify ways in which they can improve and develop. We believe in adjusting to individual need and treating individuals as individuals. Leadership within the school is characterised by collaboration, consultation and a willingness to listen.

As part of the Administrative Team, Bourne Grammar’s Finance Officer will play a pivotal role in our community, performing designated tasks relating to the Schools financial operation in an efficient and effective manner. They will provide exceptional support for the school’s financial operation and business services, assisting the Finance Director with all areas of operational finance.

The person in role will:

1. Provide outstanding support for the Finance Department.

2. Provide outstanding operational management of all aspects of business services, including facilities, catering and cleaning as required by the Finance Director.

3. Assist withsupport strategies to move the school forward as set out in the School Development Plan.

4. Assist with securing the financial stability of the school.

5. Play an active part in the life of the school and support the delivery of the school’s purpose statement – the best atmosphere, the best support, the best results.

Finance Management

· Work on a day to day basis, in full accordance with the School’s Financial Handbook within robust financial systems, internal controls and processes, including on-going review and improvement.

· Assist with the financial aspects of the day-to-day running of the school including monthly Management Accounts, Year-end preparation, VAT returns, ESFA returns and providing financial analysis.

· Assist with the management of contracts, insurances and agreements for the provision of services to Bourne Grammar, ensuring cost effectiveness and delivery of high-quality services.

· Be a part of the team that controls, monitors and evaluates the school’s finances, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and value for money.

· Assist with the ordering of goods and services, ensuring that all staff are aware of procedure.

· Help prepare clear and timely reports of financial accounts as required by the Headteacher.

· Manage the operation of the school bank accounts, including monthly reconciliation of bank statements and produce reports for month-end processes, resolving any discrepancies or variances.

· Ensure all supplier invoices are accurate, approved for payment, matched with delivery notes and coded correctly on the finance system. Includes resolving invoice queries and processing of credit notes.

· Ensure that approved payments are made to all suppliers, creditors and others in an efficient manner, in accordance with the School’s policies and procedures.

· Raise manual cheques where necessary and process BACS and Faster Payments in a timely manner.

· Raise invoices, match receipts with invoices and resolve any queries.

· Ensure the regular banking of cash and cheques.

· Recharging photocopying costs to departments. Monitoring levels and querying excessive use.

Finance Planning

· Assist the Finance Director with the creation of the Annual Budget and a three-year budget forecast in consultation with the Headteacher and ensure this considers the expected financial performance of each of the key activities of the school.

· Work with the Finance Director to incorporate all financial elements into a three-year rolling budget plan for contribution to the strategic planning of staff numbers, curriculum provision and projected student numbers.

· Assist with the monitoring of actual spend against forecasted spend.

· Assist with the preparation of the annual Budget Forecast Return and submit to the ESFA.

· Collate information from budget holders and assist with the production of the annual Income/Expenditure budget.

· Help the Leadership Team as requested to provide finance input into decision making and support scenario planning.

Finance Reporting

· Help ensure that all financial activities comply with financial regulations.

· Assist with ensuring compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook, Companies House requirements, and Bourne Grammar School procedures including the scheme of delegation.

Payroll

· Assist with the management and processing of all employee expenditure claims and disbursements on a monthly basis. This will also include zero-hours monthly payment claims (Invigilators etc.) and securing the appropriate authorisation.

· Work with the School’s payroll provider on all matters relating to salaries. Ensure that all relevant information is provided accurately and in a timely manner in order to meet the payroll run on the 23rd of each month.

· Assist the Finance Director in the monitoring of the monthly salary payment report provided by the payroll provider and resolve any queries.

· Process the monthly salary reports and once any required corrections have been made, give authorisation by the prescribed deadline in order to meet the 23rdpayment deadline.

· Assist with the reconciliation of payroll monthly including loading payroll journals and invoices and ensure reports are ready for end of year reconciliation for both payroll and pensions.

· Assist in any decision relating to the reengagement, dismissal or engagement of a payroll provider.

· Assist with day to day payroll queries from staff and ensuring employees have access to their payslips online.

Facilities

· Work with the Finance Director on the procurement of services to ensure the continuing availability of utilities, site services and equipment.

· Assist with the maximisation of income generated from the lettings of facilities and buildings.

Outside agencies

· Assist with all statutory financial returns including monthly VAT, ensuring they are submitted within required deadlines.

· Liaise with and provide information to the school’s Responsible Officer and Auditors as required, ensuring recommendations are implemented.

· Work with the Finance Director on all processes and preparation related to yearly Audited Accounts.

· Assist with the delivery of accurate and timely returns to outside agencies.

Other responsibilities

· Attend Leadership Team meetings as required.

Carry out any other task as deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Headteacher.

A flexible approach is needed to deal with a wide range of ever-changing tasks and priorities. The ability to work as part of a team is essential.

All employees must participate in training as required.

Other Duties -The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties that may be required from time to time within the general scope of the post. Any such duties should not substantially change the general character of the post. Duties and responsibilities outside of the general scope of this grade of post will be with the consent of the post holder.

Equal Opportunities -The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with Bourne Grammar School’s Equal Opportunities policies.

Health and Safety -The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the Bourne Grammar School’s Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Safeguarding - All school staff have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people within the school.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £28,371.00-£34,723.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location

Application deadline: 22/03/2023