Teaching Jobs

Finance Business Partner
EDUCATION / SCHOOL SETTING
North West, covering Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool
Hours: Monday to Friday
Salary: Competitive £46,000 to £48,000
We are delighted to be working with an Academy chain, with multiple sites across Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool who are actively searching for a Finance Business Partner to join their team.
Purpose of the role:
To challenge educational and social disadvantage by supporting the central finance function across management accounts and financial accounting disciplines in order to achieve the highest possible standards and prepare all our students to lead successful lives.
As a qualified accountant, the role is to work closely with our academies based in the North West (currently, there are three academies in Bradford, Liverpool and Manchester with plans to further expand) creating an active partnership with operations and regional/school leadership teams. The role is to provide real-time support and analysis and be a trusted advisor, adding value and supporting decision making.
The role will be based predominantly in the North West to support our academies in Liverpool and Manchester, but travel to the Head office in Bradford will be required on a business need basis, and at least monthly to attend the monthly Finance Team meeting.
About you:
·Working within a finance department for at least 2 years with a successful track
·Fully qualified accountant e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA record
·Competence in and confidence with numeracy and IT
·Effective communication
·Methodical and logical approach to work
·Pragmatic and flexible approach to work
·Team worker
·Commitment to safeguarding
·Strong moral purpose and drive for improvement
·Mission-aligned
·Humble and kind
·Motivated, enthusiastic and flexible
·Excellent interpersonal skills
·Ability to receive and act on feedback
·Strong attention to detail
·Ability to work under pressure
About the role:
The role will be to support all financial aspects of the academies including but not limited to:
·Budget and forecast setting
·Preparation of monthly management accounts including detailed variance analysis to budget and forecast
·Strategic planning supporting the long-term plans for the academies
·Supporting academies to achieve best possible educational outcomes and value for money through curriculum led financial planning and analysis
·Supporting the academies in maintaining robust procedures for processing purchase orders, good receiving, and dealing with supplier queries where applicable
·Managing security arrangements for cash held, and banking procedures
·Supporting purchasing decisions and ensuring compliance with all Trust policies and public procurement regulations
·Liaising and negotiating with providers of goods and services and external contractors
·Capital expenditure planning
·Budget management, supporting budget holders and monitoring individual school spending and liaising with Principals, Executive Principals and the Senior Financial Accountant to ensure ongoing awareness and control of budgets
·Ensuring internal financial controls are adhered to o ensuring accurate accounting records are maintained at all times
·Assisting in maximising income generation and advise schools in managing all aspects of income generating schemes including lettings and other ventures o ensuring appropriate security arrangements and authorisation of all credit card transactions
·Ensuring compliance with HMRC, VAT and other regulations as appropriate
Key duties and responsibilities:
·Support the financial and management accounting functions of the Finance team; being a committed and professional team member
·Work to tight month end deadlines and be prepared to work flexibly in order to achieve team and academy goals
·Produce financial information to Accounting Standards and in line with other regulatory bodies
·Work with senior academy leaders to provide accurate and timely information
·Support senior finance colleagues in tasks, as required, including preparation and compilation of information for annual accounts, and financial returns to the Department for Education
·Ensure the operational workload is effectively managed to ensure finance service standards are adhered to
·Investigate and answer routine queries arising from budget holders, management and other finance colleagues as well as external bodies
·Identify and resolve errors and discrepancies
·Create, develop and / or maintain complex accounting spreadsheets, as necessary
·Support the team in their delivery of an excellent service to all academies within the Trust
·Engage fully in the Trust professional development process to fulfil personal potential and be able to participate effectively in the implementation of the academy's goals and improvement plan
·Attend meetings / training and carry out administrative tasks and duties as specified on the Trust calendar
·Contribute to the continual development of the Trust's finance function including financial practices and policies
·Consistently implement all Trust policies
·Contribute to decision-making and consultation procedures
·Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to a Designated Safeguarding Lead
·Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Senior Financial Controller
All Academy employees have access to the following benefits:
·Advice & Counselling Services
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which offers free confidential advice and provides access to structured counselling of up to six sessions
·Pension Scheme
Pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme for Support Staff and Teachers Pension Scheme for Teachers) - both schemes include 3 x salary life assurance cover whilst you remain in service
·Holiday Entitlement
The Academy recognises the importance of a good work-life balance and provide generous holiday entitlements. This entitlement is in addition to any Bank or Public holidays. If you work part-time, your holiday entitlement will be pro-rated
·Cycle 2 Work Scheme
Save 25-39% of the cost of a new bike & accessories and pay this back over an agreed length of time through your salary
·Flexible and Family Friendly Policies
Flexible working opportunities; job share arrangements and part-time roles; generous family leave packages; and leave to support you with emergencies or for compassionate reasons
·CPD opportunities
Learning and development opportunities to support your career pathway, enabling you to learn new skills
Coming soon:
·Tech Scheme: The new to arrive Tech scheme so you can purchase the latest technology for your personal use where you can spread the cost interest-free with nothing to pay upfront.
·Electric Car Scheme: Electric Car Benefit scheme will soon be in operation where you can purchase a new car and make cost savings through your salary on tax and NI
·Lifestyle Benefits and Discounts: Variety of shopping discounts at hundreds of online and high street retailers, including supermarkets. Discounts on a range of health-related activities and experiences, including gym memberships, sports equipment and family days out

If you are interested in this role, please apply by sending your CV to this advert and one of our team will be in touch to go through your experience with you.
Full reference checks will be performed. High levels of compliance and safeguarding checks will be conducted in line with keeping children safe in education and safer recruitment.