The Role: Head of Financial Services, Thurrock, Essex Based, £60,000 - £75,000
Job Purpose
- To deliver robust monthly management accounts and the annual group statutory accounts, with clear audit opinions
- Developing and maintaining systems of internal financial control, and pursuing measures to ensure they are adhered to
- To deliver finance KPIs set
- To develop the finance function, seeking efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of the finance, payroll and procurement functions;
- To deliver Group single and multi-year budgets, plus accurate in-year reporting of forecasts and budget holder actions
- To provide technical finance & procurement advice and guidance
- To ensure all finance related regulator returns are completed accurately, and submitted on a timely basis
- To Support the SLT in producing documentation in line with the Strategic plan.
Principal Duties
- Lead and manage the financial services team to ensure high performance and business efficiency.
- Oversee the preparation of financial services information for Senior Management and Governor meetings where appropriate.
- Responsible for the production of the year-end financial statements adhering to the SORP and other applicable regulations.
- To manage and co-ordinate the work of the external and internal auditors.
- Maintain an effective budget setting and monitoring process including the Financial and Forecasting Return.
- Monitor the financial health, cashflow, balance sheet and Income and Expenditure account including forecasting.
- Ensure the financial regulations and procedures are up to date and compliant with the latest legislation and accounting standards. Providing cross company training, advice and guidance.
- Supports the design and implementation of the Finance & Procurement strategy across the company.
- Implements tight governance and control and continuously improves the groups financial services.
- Leads procurement activity and ensures statutory and financial obligations are met and efficiencies achieved in line with the Value for Money (VfM) strategy.
- Develops and implements procurement strategies in line with public sector procurement.
- Leads tendering and contract negotiations to ensure the effective supervision and monitoring of 3rd party suppliers.
- Ensure a robust finance business partnering model is delivered which meets the needs of the organisation.
- Prepare the rolling cash flow including actuals and projections and organise the necessary investments to ensure effective treasury management.
- Ensure that the company strives to maintain high levels of staff efficiency and achieves good value for money.
- Ensure the security of the company’s assets and maintenance of an accurate Assets Register and inventory control.
- Ensure that VAT is correctly accounted for in transactions.
- Work in partnership with the leadership team to deliver the vision, mission and strategic aims of the company
- Contributes to the culture and strategic objectives and works collaboratively with colleagues in other Departments
- Participates in relevant and appropriate training and development as required.
- Implements remedial interventions when departmental performance is not on track.
- Produce up to date financial and procurement regulations in line with governmental changes
- Oversee the provision of an accurate and efficient payroll service
Management Responsibilities
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- Lead and manage all designated areas of responsibility.
- Role model outstanding financial service practices.
- Implement communication strategies which ensure that key financial information is raised with SLT and shared with all relevant staff throughout the company
- Embed a positive staff workforce that is committed to the company’s vision and values, whose culture is one of striving for excellence within their areas and responsibilities.
- Set clear expectations by embedding robust performance management processes, in line with company policies and processes throughout all staff employment.
- In conjunction with the management team, identify and take appropriate action in relation to poor performance quickly and efficiently in line with company policies and procedures.
- Responsible for ensuring staff have 1-2-1 meetings, performance & development reviews and/or probation reviews regularly and in a timely manner.
- Lead and manage professional development for staff ensuring they maintain up to date knowledge on all relevant legislation, regulations, awarding body criteria etc.
- Identify areas / activities which present a risk to the health and safety of students and staff and take appropriate action to rectify.
- Work proactively with the Executive Director of Organisational & People Development and implement and complete relevant compulsory professional training and CPD as appropriate.
Budget Responsibilities
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- Work with the SLT, and relevant staff to effectively establish and agree company budgets.
- Ensure full compliance with company Financial Policies and processes.
- Responsible for compliance with procurement of goods and services ensuring value for money and effective utilisation of items procured.
- Effective budget management.
General Responsibilities
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- Create a safe working culture that enables staff to speak up, think innovatively, develop, and share and try out new ideas and processes, and work collaboratively to contribute to improvements.
- Maintain, the health, safety and welfare of staff and students through compliance with company policies, including effective risk management procedures.
- Embed equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout all aspect of your role, promote key information and challenge unacceptable behaviours and conduct in a timely manner.
- In line with GDPR legislation and regulations, take responsibility for the data that you manage and process.
- Implement with policies and procedures, ensuring you communicate these with all relevant staff and monitor and track compliance.
- Work collaboratively with all academic and support services to support the needs of staff and our students.
- Actively chair and engage in a range of cross meetings, as required.
- To carry out any other duties as may be required by the Senior Leadership Team, Executive Board or as may be required or as directed.
The successful applicant will hold a relevant professional qualification in accountancy (eg CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA, ICA) We are seeking an experienced Senior financial professional with proven management of a varied corporate service function.
The successful candidate will possess:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role is essential (FE experience not essential)
- Experience of production and review of financial reporting I.e. Monthly Management Accounts & Statutory financial statements
- Experience of providing financial returns in an regulated sector.
- Experience of delivering financial information to non-finance audience.
- Experience of writing board papers
- Experience of multi-year Cash flow management
- Experience of developing appropriate financial systems
- Experience of budget setting and 3-year financial planning at organization and departmental level
- Up to date knowledge of Procurement & Payroll guidelines
- Up to date understanding of Finance and Funding (Income) regulations for FE & HE
The Package
- Salary £60,000 - £75,000 depending on level of experience
- 30 days leave
- Pension scheme
- Free Eye test and contribution towards glasses
- Enhanced sick pay and family (subject to policy terms)
- Free breakfast
- Free On-site parking
- Wellbeing and health support
- Cycle to work scheme
- Flu Jabs
