Finance Director - Rochdale Sixth Form College · Finance Director Job Description & Person...

Finance Director:Job Description & Person Specification

Finance DirectorJob Description & Person Specification

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Vision

To create a family of schools which enables every student to progress to a career, life and employment path of their choice.

Mission

We exist to give every young person a great education and start in life.

We will focus on improving student outcomes, irrespective of their background or start point.

We will invest in quality in the classroom, student support and strong leadership to drive standards, whilst valuing the development of the whole student through an enriched curriculum.

We will hold ourselves accountable for maximising the performance of all students and uncompromising in our commitment to the highest of expectations and achievement.

Values

Excellence in student outcomes, with an acknowledgement that this comes in many forms. An unceasing focus to improve standards of achievement to better the lives of our students

Openness in the way we build trust and bring purpose to our work as a Multi Academy Trust

Accountability through the rigorous, transparent and forensic analysis of our performance at all levels

Collaboration in the way we take collective responsibility for each other and the results of all students - “if one fails we all fail”

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Job Title:

Finance Director

The key purpose of the post is to lead on financial strategies to support the strategic and operational objectives of the Altus Education Partnership.

The Altus Education Partnership is a new Multi Academy Trust formed on 1 April 2017. The first academy to join the Trust is the highly successful Rochdale Sixth Form College, which, is classified as outstanding by Ofsted and has outstanding EFSA financial status. In addition, the College has topped the Department of Education Performance Table for A Level progress for an unprecedented four consecutive years.

As a “starter MAT”, the role of Finance Director will play a key role position in the realization of the objectives of the Trust. The role will have strategic and operational aspects and will ensure effective support for and accurate monitoring and reporting of all financial aspects across the prospective family of schools. The Trust Finance Director will provide a link between the Trust central operations and the academies by working with Academy Business Managers and the central team. The MAT world is constantly evolving and the Finance Director should be able to respond well to change and be flexible in their approach as the Altus Education Partnership grows.

This new post of Finance Director, whilst fulfilling the role of Chief Financial Officer will be joining at the very start of the Atlus Education Partnership journey. The role will provide the opportunity to put in place structures and processes to secure the smooth-running and financial viability of the Trust, and facilitate further growth.

The Partnership Director: Finance

Reports to:

The Partnership Director: Operations

Salary: £50,000 to £60,000

Holidays: 25 days holiday per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays plus 5 Statutory Days

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Strategic Leadership Role

The Finance Director will:

Provide advice and guidance to the Executive Principal/CEO and Trust Board on all aspects of Altus Education Partnerships financial operations.

Line manage any future central finance staff.

Build and develop a culture of a high performing finance team, ensuring succession planning is in place at all levels.

Ensure that finance staff within the academies are supported, developed and equipped with the resources required to deliver an effective academy finance function.

Ensure finance structures within Altus Education Partnership reflect the best practice from business and from the emerging research into successful academy trusts.

Provide clear information, advice and recommendations to the Executive Principal/CEO, Academy SLTs and Board regarding financial strategy, the use of Altus Education Partnership assets and the development of the Trust's activities, to ensure the best possible learning environment for students.

Ensure that the impact of financial strategy directly impacts on educational outcomes for Altus Education Partnership students.

Ensure Altus Education Partnership makes the best possible use of all resources through effective planning

In conjunction with the Partnership Director: Operations prepare Altus Education Partnership’s annual and medium term financial plans and in consultation with the CEO, and Academy SLT’s, taking into account performance improvement, funding projections, and other potential events and activities.


The financial strategy to support the best possible educational provision in every one of the Trust’s academies.

Strategic financial planning, financial compliance and statutory and internal financial reporting and lead on projects including the expansion of the finance function of the Trust.

Responsible for:

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Promote and safeguard the welfare of students.

Carry out financial due diligence on any school joining the Trust

Service the Trust Board and committees established by the Trust, and ensure that all aspects of financial strategy and reporting are fit for purpose as the Trust evolves.

Develop the Trust Core Staffing Plan and Central Charges Proposal for Executive Principal/CEO and Trust approval.

Financial Management and Compliance

In conjunction with the Partnership Director: Operations, Academy Business Managers and any current or future service provider(s) the Finance Director will:

Oversee and be responsible for the preparation and submission of all statutory financial accounts and returns.

Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial financial reports, estimates and financial/annual returns as required by funding bodies, government departments and Companies House including the financial element of the annual report.

Prepare an annual budget within a three-year financial plan for approval by the Board.

Develop procedures across the Trust to support the preparation of monthly management accounts, forecasts and other financial and non‐ financial reports for Altus Education Partnership

Compile and present reports to the Board including management accounts and financial plans, explaining all significant variances to all relevant stakeholders, in accordance with agreed timetables.

Oversee and monitor budgets and costs of any project work including capital projects.

Provide support, guidance, challenge and information to budget holders.


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Ensure that the financial and management accounting systems for Altus Education Partnership are implemented effectively, uptodate and support all accounting and reporting needs throughout the Trust.

Develop and maintain appropriate financial regulations and work with budget holders to ensure compliance.

Maintain systems and procedures that ensure financial transactions are recorded and reported accurately, and that all financial controls are operating effectively.

Ensure that the Trust maintains an effective payroll system and function, including compliance with all legislation.

Oversee the preparation of reports and returns as requested/required on payroll payments including PAYE, VAT, expense payments, national insurance, pensions and any other relevant payments.

Deal with all personnel matters relating to salary, pension and HMRC queries.

Liaise with auditors and implement audit requirements and recommendations throughout the Trust.

Research and complete funding bids to external bodies including Government departments to maximise the resources for Altus Education Partnership.

Ensure that any funds received from successful bids are spent appropriately and within timescales.

Ensure effective liaison with brokers/insurance companies regarding procurement, claims, dealing with all correspondence and communications.

Ensure that tax obligations are discharged correctly and effectively.

As a risk owner, review and maintain the Altus Education Partnership risk register in relation to financial risks.

Report on all financial and compliance matters to the Executive Principal/CEO and Board as required.

Develop and monitor the Trust Reserves Policy.

Develop and manage the cash/treasury management – both day to day and strategic deposits – including daily movement/deposit of funds to ensure maximum returns for the Trust within the policy constraints.


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Procurement and Contract Management

In conjunction with the Executive Principal/CEO, Partnership Director: Operations, Academy Principals and any future Core Team staff the Finance Director will:

Prepare and implement policies concerning the procurement and ordering of all supplies and services to ensure best value for money.

Monitor the operation of policies concerning procurement and ordering and prepare such reports as may be required.

Monitor the operation of contracts entered into for the supply of services to Altus Education Partnership.

Ensure all contracting and procurement activities are fully compliant with all public sector legislation and regulatory requirements.


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General Requirements

The Finance Director will:

Undertake such other duties as reasonably correspond to the general character of the post and commensurate with being a member of the Trust Executive Leadership team.

Contribute to and exemplify the values of the Trust.

The post‐holder will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from the Executive Principal/CEO and Board to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

Every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, but all individual tasks required to be undertaken may not be identified.

Meet the constantly changing demands of the role as the Trust develops

Travel to Academies across the Trust

Keep up to date on educational development, strategy and thinking

Safeguarding

Comply with the Trust’s policies and procedures on safeguarding, safer recruiting and child protection.

Confidentiality

Ensure confidentiality is maintained in line with agreed policies and procedures.

Equality:

Ensure the Trust reflects a vibrant and inclusive ethos which actively values and promotes diversity and unity and supports pupils to become successful and fully integrated citizens.


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Managerial and professional experience at middle/senior level to support as port of senior /executive team Significant experience of leading a finance function at operational or senior level Experience of the financial framework o the chorit sectorExperience of preparing or auditingaccounts for a charity or public sectoror onisotionExperience of successfullyimplementing on integrated financesystem, or a system of similar levels ofcom lexitExperience of managing and leading ateam within on area o inonce or audit

Knowledge and operation of on audit ramework Knowledge and operation of audit frameworks and internal control within the education or chorit sector Knowledge and understanding of financial planning and budget control

rocesses Ability to design and implement financial due diligence to determine the financial position and viability of

otentiol academies Ability to develop financial reporting strategies to support the MAT at every level Strong knowledge and understanding of risk management frameworks and the operation, reporting and management of risk and internal controls Ability to prioritise work efficiently and accurately, particularly under pressure/deadlines and using own initiative Ability to manage budgets and resources e ectivel

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Person Specification

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Excellent IT skills, including the ability to use MS Office software packages and com uter based accountin acka es Ability to access new technologies relating to financial systems, budgeting and re ortin Strong verbal and writing communication skills Excellent re ort writin skills Highest levels of integrity and probity and a commitment to highest levels of effort endeavour and focus on standards

An unwavering commitment to the Altus Education Partnership's vision, mission and values Relishes accountability to take personal res onsibilit or own actions. Resilience and the ability to grow professionally and flexibly within a start-u and develo in or anisation

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