Main purpose of the job:

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1 Post title Salary and grade: FTE Line manager/s: Chief Finance Officer 40,000-45,000 pro rata 0.8 (4 days) Chief Executive Officer Main purpose of the job: The chief financial officer will be directly responsible to the CEO who is the accounting officer for the Trust. The chief financial officer will provide advice on strategic financial issues and be responsible for financial management and for the leadership and management of the financial team. The CFO Is accountable for the accuracy and resilience of the Trust (and component schools ) accounting practice, systems and data and is directly responsible for providing the required levels of competence and ownership of the financial operation of the Trust in its entirety. The chief financial officers is a key member of the Trust s senior management team and is expected to bring a modern, business-like approach to the leadership of the finance function, running it as a highly competent and efficient service with an emphasis on business partnership across the academy and with devolution of the service where appropriate. The appointee will develop and deliver a proactive, customer focussed services. In addition to leading the Trust s financial team, the chief financial officer will contribute to strategy and policy development to support the Trust s objectives, will ensure the provision of management information for the Trust s planning and monitoring systems, and will ensure the completion of statistical returns to outside agencies. Finally, the post-holder will ensure that the systems and processes around the financial management and functions relating to this element of the Trust are efficient, reliable and quality assured through internal controls and processes, internal and external audit and remain a key feature of how well the Trust is managed both for existing schools, but also any prospective schools or stakeholders. Key duties and responsibilities This job description forms part of the contract of the person appointed to this post. It reflects the position at the present time only and may be reviewed at any time following consultation between the Chief Financial Officer and the CEO and will be reviewed annually. Strategic Ensure that the Trust s resources are managed efficiently, ethically, professionally, with integrity conforming to all internal and external regulatory requirements in a sustainable, timely and professionally sound manner according to identified best practice; Be a catalyst for driving efficiencies across the trust including leading on the year-on-year reduction in spend across key categories such as utilities, consumables, insurances, external support contracts and other unfunded discretionary spends; Providing strategic advice to the CEO, Trust Board and associated committees, governing body and senior managers on all issues relating to financial matters;

2 Preparing the Trust s annual financial forecasts, forecasts for corporate strategies and plans in consultation with the CEO and senior colleagues, and developing and implementing strategies for maximising the academy trusts current finances. Managing the finance team, including rationalising the current structure and overseeing the development and maintenance of financial systems and procedures, including appropriate IT systems. Being accountable to the CEO for the proper financial operations of the Trust. Building close and effective working relationships with key internal and external partners. Act as the leading point of reference for commercial and financial issues, as well as participating in the management of major academy projects, which may include potential growth, as required by the CEO. Contribute to the ethos, development and success of the Trust. Providing strategic advice to the CEO, Trust Board and associated committees, governing body and senior managers on all issues relating to financial matters; Preparing the Trust s annual financial forecasts, forecasts for corporate strategies and plans in consultation with the CEO and senior colleagues, and developing and implementing strategies for maximising the academy trusts current finances. Managing the finance team, including rationalising the current structure and overseeing the development and maintenance of financial systems and procedures, including appropriate IT systems. Build exemplar financial reputation, overseeing grant payments and grant management Improve financial benchmarking and develop a balanced scorecard approach to customer service and standards which effectively measures success Ensure continuous improvement and effectively manage change, leading feasibility studies and business cases for sustainable expansion of MAT. Produce strategy for write-offs and Oversee review of premises and assets Operational Act as the leader for all financial related work by providing the financial lead to the strategic planning process, including: annual budgets, periodic forecasts and funding requirements. Developing and maintaining financial systems to ensure: pension records and returns are up to date; effective management of the payroll and that all tax and National Insurance records and returns are up to date; income collection procedures are operating effectively and debt problems are minimised; and that all invoices are processed efficiently and with sufficient review and oversight to ensure payments made are accurate and aligned with purchase orders; Preparing the annual academy trust budget, working closely with senior managers and budget holders to ensure consistency with the academy s strategic and financial objectives. Oversee and lead on the development of the per-academy annual budgets, and associated reports as required in line with the defined Trust financial calendar ensuring that all budgets at school level are balanced, constructed in line with Trust financial policies and regulations and that these are presented in an orderly and timely fashion for relevant committee and Board sign-off; Monitoring the income and expenditure budgets across the academies and Trust and give early warning of difficulties or opportunities arising; Page 2 of 5

3 Providing accurate and timely information to enable effective budgetary control, decisionmaking and sound strategic planning. Ensuring that effective financial structures and controls are in place to support robust financial management. Maintaining each academy s accounts in accordance with the funding agreement and Academies Financial Handbook issued by the funding body and in accordance with the financial regulations and procedures of the academy and Trust As the chief financial officer, ensure that each academy follows best practice in terms of financial governance, and ensure the probity, and legislative compliance, of all financial transactions, including payroll and cash handling, and the integrity and suitability of all control mechanisms (audit and risk management). Preparing the annual accounts to prescribed standards and taking responsibility for the completion and submission of regulatory reporting. Liaising with both internal and external auditors to enable them to operate effectively. Liaising, on behalf of the Principal or relevant member of the Trust Executive team, with the funding body on financial matters. Proactively managing the academy s relationship with its bankers, to ensure that appropriate and efficient systems are in place for the academy s accounting procedures. Proactively managing the cash position of each academy and the Trust and all operating activities, - reporting regularly on this aspect of financial management to the Finance and Resources Committee and Board as required; Plan and manage the Trust s tax affairs under existing and new legislation. Planning and co-ordinating all tax and treasury management practice and policy, with particular reference to charitable status and cash management. Helping to ensure that each academy and the Trust achieves value for money across all activities, including the delivery of services. Maintaining the Trust risk register. To research and prepare recommendations regarding supply of good and services. Regularly review and implement best value, setting targets and performance indicators Prepare and maintain specifications for all work submitted for tender by external contractors. Promote fair competition through quotations and tenders to ensure that good and services are secure in the most economic, efficient and effective way. Line Management Leading, matrix-managing and developing staff within the finance team and promoting a strong customer service ethos and high professional standards. The chief financial officer will ensure that the finance team works in collaboration with other academy and Trust functions. Ensuring that the finance teams within each academy seeks continuing improvement in its management and financial systems and receives timely, succinct and clear guidance to ensure that they are effective and efficient in the discharge of their duties. Page 3 of 5

4 Person Specification Qualifications Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) Experience Significant experience in leading an effective finance Function including successful leadership and building effective teams Proven experience of designing and implementing financial management processes and controls Financial reporting and management skills and experience of working with stakeholder to develop strong financial understanding and empathy across the Trust Demonstrable understanding of the principles and practice of risk management Proven experience of generating income and preparing bids for grant funding Knowledge of the funding, regulatory and legislative environment of academies Thinking A strategic thinker who can analyse and process complex Ability information quickly and rigorously in order to make effective decisions Can think analytically and demonstrate sound judgement to undertake complex tasks in a systematic way Thinks creatively and imaginatively to solve problems and identify opportunities Able to evidence entrepreneurism and innovation, with an ability to identify commercial opportunities to maximise income Able to demonstrate having planned appropriately for future success Personal High ethical standards and influencing skills with the Effectiveness ability to engage effectively with all staff across the Trust Self-confident with the ability to transmit appropriate messages to appropriate audiences Works reliably under pressure to produce timely, accurate information and is willing to do whatever necessary to bring about results Able to be resilient and robust whilst showing compassion in dealing with issues and is calm under pressure Interpersonal Demonstrates a variety of leadership styles and Relationships management approaches Ability to establish positive and productive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholder at all levels Effectively engage and communicate at all levels, including listen to and inspiring, staff and the wider community, as well as having a personal presence Shows concerns for impact identifies the most Essential Desirable Page 4 of 5

5 important concerns and issues of others modifies own behaviour to achieve the required outcomes Goes out of the way to establish contacts and use the relationships to achieve business objectives. Able to bring presence and gravitas to the role whilst remaining approachable and professional at all times. General Able to work flexibly, including any service specific hours Able to travel to various locations within a reasonable timescale Demonstrate a firm commitment to the concept of Multi- Academy Trust and desire to see the Trust flourish and expand in a sustainable manner Applicants must undergo a DBS check. Page 5 of 5