Finance Manager

We are delighted to be partnering exclusively with The Schools of King Edwards VI in Birmingham to recruit a Finance Manager to oversee 3 schools within the Multi-Academy Trust. The role is paying £40,000 - £47,000 + 27 days annual leave + 4 concessionary days + public holidays + hybrid working, and many other attractive benefits.

The Schools of King Edwards VI in Birmingham is a progressive charitable organisation which has supported excellence in education across the City since 1552. Their schools are diverse in nature but have a common purpose and commitment to achieving their mission of "making Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK".

The Academy Trust currently consists of eleven schools, six selective, and five non-selective academies. Their recent expansion into a wider diversity of local communities is enabling them to accelerate their strategies for improving the life chances of young people in Birmingham, whatever their background.

The King Edward VI Academy Trust Birmingham was established in 2017 and is made up of the academies outlined above. The academies receive central support services including Finance, from the Foundation, with several staff being seconded from the Foundation to deliver support services to the Academy Trust and the academies themselves.

Their highly focused five-year strategy aims to build on existing strengths and heritage and deliver an ambitious growth strategy which aims to bring in further academies over the next few years.

The Finance Manager will work alongside an experienced team of Finance Managers to provide dedicated support to the schools within the Academy Trust. The Foundation operates a hybrid working model, meaning staff can work from home, schools as well as the Foundation Office. This position also involves attending the schools you support on a regular basis.

Supporting the Headteachers, school staff and Governing Bodies and ensuring that relevant and accurate financial information and advice is provided on a timely basis and in line with the agreed reporting timescales.
Providing advice to the Schools on any Finance related matter ensuring compliance with the financial regulations.
Taking full responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the financial transactions for the Schools; including maintaining creditor and prepayment schedules enabling accurate management accounts to be prepared.
Preparation of monthly management accounts including a detailed written overview of the variances for presentation to the School's Budget Committee. Ensuring that monthly School income and expenditure reports are downloaded from PS Financials and made available to the Schools.
Working with the Headteacher of the School and the Head of Finance to prepare the School's annual budget, ensuring that budgets are uploaded to PS Financials in a timely manner.
Taking responsibility for ensuring that the Headteacher and Budget Holders have access to up to date spend v budget figures through a web portal (this may involve training on site).
Being proactive in the support of a value for money culture at the schools; identifying areas that require further investigation which would be reported back to the Head of Finance/Director of Finance.
Scheduling, preparing and attending the termly meetings of the School Budget Committee. Preparing all reports, liaising with the Headteacher and Chair of Budget Committee as appropriate and presenting the reports to the Committee. Liaising with members of the Budget Committee outside the meetings as appropriate. Working with the Foundation Office Administrator to ensure that minutes are prepared on a timely basis and circulated to the Committee for approval.
Ensuring the Schools are working within the approved financial regulations and scheme of financial delegation. Developing, implementing and maintaining up to date procedures for the schools in line with the needs of the Schools and as directed by the Head of Finance.
Carrying out independent checks on orders raised by the School (currently amounts over £1,000).
Working with the Headteacher and Payroll Team using existing HR, Payroll and Finance systems to ensure that the staffing costs charged to the school are accurate and in line with the budget.
Assisting the Academy Trust Head of Finance and the Director of Finance in the preparation and submission of the statutory financial statements.
Taking responsibility for the preparation and submission of annual returns to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) as directed by the Academy Trust Head of Finance.
Supporting the finance staff at the Schools.
Attending and reporting to the termly finance meetings with finance staff of the Foundation Office and Schools. (Chaired by the Head of Finance /Director of Finance).
Liaise when directed with Internal and External Auditors, taking responsibility for ensuring management actions relevant to the Schools have been actioned.
Support the Headteacher and Management Team in the maintenance of their School Risk Registers.
Bringing to the attention of the Head of Finance any relevant matters.
Working with the Head of Finance in the preparation of long-term financial forecasts.
Keeping up to date with ESFA guidance and procedures and attending any relevant courses as necessary.

Due to the nature of this role, the ability to travel regularly to schools across Birmingham is essential.

The post holder will be required to attend meetings, travel off-site and attend some evening meetings. The successful candidate will be required to fulfil an enhanced DBS check.

Finance Manager:

A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA) or working towards completion of qualification of a recognised accountancy qualification with at least 2 years relevant experience.
A strong Educational background (i.e. degree level or equivalent).
At least 3 years of experience working in a finance office environment or similar role.
Experience of using computerised accounting packages for both posting of transactions and the export of reports (experience of using PS Financials would be a significant advantage).
Competent in using Microsoft office applications (Word) with highly developed Excel skills.
Experience of writing high quality financial reports.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
Experience of working in a team.
Good understanding of the business needs of the Schools with a keen interest in working within an educational / charity environment.
Good understanding of the business needs of the Schools with a keen interest in working within an educational / charity environment.
Ability to influence, drive change and deliver at pace is essential.
The ideal candidate will be team focused with the ability to work flexibly where required.

£40,000 - £47,000 per annum.
35 hour working week.
28 days holiday per year, plus 8 bank holidays and 4 concessionary days.
Flexible working hours.
Access to training courses and funding towards role-related professional qualifications for eligible employees.
Payment of professional fees for eligible employees.
Free lunch, tea, coffee, and other refreshments when attending the office.
Free on-site parking.
Cycle to work scheme, for eligible employees.
Discounted and free tickets to School productions, concerts, and events at the Ruddock Performing Arts Centre.
Opportunity to join Choral Society, a mixed choir involving employees and pupils.
Free access to gym, pool, and yoga sessions.
Free access to an Employee Assistance Programme offering free, 24-hour confidential assistance.
Long service award, for eligible employees.
Salary sacrifice schemes for eligible employees (for example cycle to work).
Access to Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund (BHSF) for cashback on health-related purchases.
Free annual flu vaccinations.
Corporate Eyecare vouchers.
Membership of a regulated pension scheme.
Death in service benefit: lump sum equal to twice basic salary at the time of death and a spouse's.
UAC discounted summer camps for 4-14-year olds.

EA First Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency for this permanent vacancy.