Finance Officer Full Time

Bruton, Somerset
SEXEY’S SCHOOL
Finance Officer

Job Description

Job Title

Finance Officer

Salary

Grade 12, £23,515 – £26,502 (Actual) £26,421 – £29,777 (FTE)

Hours

Full-time, 37 hours per week

Contract type

Permanent, term time plus 5 weeks (40 working weeks)

Responsible to

The Headteacher with indirect responsibility to the Trust Finance Manager

Job Purpose

The main purpose of the role is to:
Ensure effective and efficient operation of the finance function in accordance with the Trust financial procedures, the Trust funding agreement and the Academies Financial Handbook

Main responsibilities and duties

The duties and responsibilities listed below are indicative of the tasks the Finance Officer will perform, and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. The need for flexibility, accountability and team working is required. The post-holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee’s skills and abilities, commensurate with the post’s grade and whenever reasonably instructed.

Financial Regulations and Internal Control Procedures
To prepare and present appropriate finance reports to budget holders, trip organisers as requested
Identify and report any issues regarding budgets to the Headteacher
Ensure school staff adhere to the financial policies and procedures as agreed by the QET, and advise teaching and support staff on the content of the policies
To undertake monthly reconciliation of local school financial systems and accounts.
Prepare and ensure completion of month end processes and documentation as required by the Trust Finance Manager and Director of Finance and Operations
Assist in the completion of year-end documentation and audit file as required by the Trust Central Finance team
Liaise with the Trust Central Finance team, internal and external Auditors throughout the audit process, and ensure documentation is made available as requested
Maintenance and regular reconciliation of ParentPay
Enter transactions onto the finance system as required
Maintain an analysis of costs and other statistical records
Ensure the accuracy of all transactions and entries into the financial accounting system (Access Finance)
Process all transactions in a timely and efficient manner
Ensure the monthly payroll claim forms are checked, signed and entered for payment on Edupay
Ensure VAT is applied and accounted for correctly liaising with the Trust Central Finance team as appropriate in relation to the Trust VAT reclaim
Maintain the petty cash system for the school
Reconcile and bank all cash received
Maintain the supplier list, ensuring that new suppliers are added and existing information is accurate
Ensure staff adhere to the best value policy when ordering goods and services
Process all orders, in compliance with authorisation limits. Ensuring that goods received notes are correctly recorded (where applicable); ensure goods reach their correct destination; liaise with suppliers; return damaged goods
Check supplier statements, to ensure invoices, once checked, and

correctly authorised, are paid according to supplier terms and conditions
Liaise with the Trust Central finance team in the production of BACS to ensure the optimum credit period is taken and verify there are sufficient funds to proceed

Sales Ledger
Raise invoices for activities and events as required, agree and bank income received
Take responsibility for the financial management of school trips ensuring documentation is complete and all trip income and expenditure is properly recorded
Liaise with the Estates Lead to ensure that lettings income is collected, receipted and invoiced in a timely manner
Liaise with the trip’s co-coordinator ensuring all monies due are received and banked promptly
Ensure trips achieve breakeven, liaise with trip organiser and alert the Headteacher should a deficit situation be identified
Manage Music Tuition income highlighting non-payment prior to start of lessons
Receive monies from students and record on ParentPay
Support the central team with debt management and ensure debtors are monitored

Other Financial Responsibilities
Undertake internal transfers and ensure journals are appropriately authorised and placed in journal file
Prepare and complete the annual P11D declaration
Coordinate purchase/distribution of supermarket vouchers for families in receipt of Free School Meals
Complete online purchases using school charge card ensuing corresponding paperwork is entered on finance system in a timely manner
To process petty cash transactions ensuring adherence to associated financial procedures
To undertake the annual, reclaim of gift aid on parental donations
Administer any other budgets or trading accounts as required

Special notes of conditions

To take responsibility for upholding and complying with the Trust’s Equality and Diversity policies and for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and equal treatment for all.

To comply with General Data Protection Regulations and maintain awareness of Trust policies and procedures in this area.

The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to Trust policy, organisation and arrangements for Health and Safety at work.

To participate in the performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for identification of learning, development and training opportunities in discussion with line manager.

Uphold the principles of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and be aware that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

Finance Officer

Person Specification

Category

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications
GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English and Maths
Competent use of IT packages including Microsoft Office
Willingness to participate in staff training/development programme for further training and professional development

AAT or equivalent financial qualification, or able to demonstrate extensive relevant equivalent experience.

Evidence of further training in finance, accountancy and/or ICT

Knowledge, skills and experience
Previous experience working in a financial capacity
Experience of budgetary management and control
Knowledge and experience of a variety of financial management systems, processes and procedures
Experience of payroll and pensions
Excellent Microsoft Excel skills
Knowledge of appropriate financial benchmarking
Awareness of data management issues including data protection and confidentiality
High levels of planning and organisation
A practical working knowledge of accounting terms and skills
Understanding and practice of confidentiality
Ability to meet deadlines and work well when under pressure without compromising accuracy
Excellent written and verbal communication
An ability to accurately record and analyse data

Experience of working within an educational environment

Interpersonal and communication skills
Commitment to promoting the ethos and values of the Trust and getting the best outcomes for all pupils
Commitment to acting with integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness to safeguard the assets, financial probity and reputation of the Trust
Positive, proactive and solution focused
Ability to cope under pressure
Excellent interpersonal skills
Openness to learning and change
An eye for detail and accuracy
Positive attitude to personal development and training
Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to work
Ability to be a good ‘team worker’, including working co-operatively with other staff
Personal effectiveness: operates with resilience and integrity

Additional requirements
Must be eligible to work in the UK
Comply with safer recruitment checks Disclosure and Barring Service and 2 professional references

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £23,515.00-£26,502.00 per year

Benefits:
Company pension
Free parking
On-site parking
Schedule:
Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person