AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE MEMBER – Academies Enterprise Trust (“AET”)

Job description

This job description outlines the roles and responsibilities of the position and will be used for recruitment, assessment and appraisal.

Job Title: / Audit and Risk Committee Member
Reports to: / Audit and Risk Committee
Title Holder:
Grade: / Volunteer

Job purpose

The role of the Audit and Risk Committee member is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with regard to the financial management and other operational risks of the AET Group of companies[1]. The Committee is accountable to Boards of each of the companies in the Group.

The member will provide detailed analysis and scrutiny on any issues effecting the operation of the Trust and will be responsible for identifying risks arising from AET Group activities. The Audit and Risk Committee (“Committee”) oversees the management of the risks to ensure that the Trust achieves it strategic aims and objectives.

The primary function of the Committee is advisory, to work with the Chief Executive Officer, Group Finance Director and the Executive Management Team to review, to monitor, to evaluate and to

analyse reported findings from both the internal and external auditors and management.

The Committee acts as “a critical friend” of the Trust and provides the relevant checks and balance for the financial management and operational performance of the Trust.

The Audit and Risk Committee provides an independent review process and considers action necessary to both minimise and effectively manage the risks to the organisation.

Scope of the Committee

The Committee shall be appointed by the AET Board :

·  The Committee shall consist of not less than three members. A quorum shall be two members.

·  The Chairman of the Committee shall be appointed by the AET Board.

Key objectives of the Committee

The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for:

·  recommending to the Boards the approval of any internal or external audit and to ensure all action points are carried out;

·  ensuring that corporate risks are identified and that mitigation strategies are in place.

Principal responsibilities of Members

To contribute individually and collectively to enable the Committee to undertake the following functions:

·  Assist the Board of Trustees by ensuring appropriate accounting and financial policies and controls are in place

·  Undertake risk and impact assessments on all relevant matters

·  Receive reports from external and internal auditors and advisors and ensure that external and internal control processes are co-ordinated and effective

·  Ensure that information used by Trustees and management and staff in planning is adequate and reliable and well evidenced

·  Organise as necessary one off special inquiries, as instructed by the Board of Trustees, to help inform decision making

·  Provide critical feedback and advice to the Board on matters relating to accountability and performance

·  To be a “critical friend” – challenging and objective

·  To not be risk averse but apply proportionate controls and processes

Contacts

Internal

·  Trustees

·  Chief Executive

·  Executive Management Board

·  Academy Representatives

External

·  Stakeholders, Department for Education and Education Funding Agency

·  Audit, Legal and Risk Management professionals

This job description is a guide to the duties the post holder will be expected to undertake. It is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive and will be subject to change as working requirements dictate and to meet the organisational requirements of Academies Enterprise Trust.

Academies Enterprise Trust

Person Specification

Job Title: Audit and Risk Committee Member

General heading / Detail / Essential requirements: / Desirable requirements: /
Qualifications & Experience
Behaviours / Specific qualifications / ·  Right to work in the UK / ·  N/A
Qualifications required for the role / ·  Degree-level education, or equivalent experience
·  Financial and Audit qualifications (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, IIA) / ·  Management qualification at a strategic level
Forward/Strategic planning / ·  Analysis and interpretation of organisational strategy and development
·  Proven skills in successful risk management
·  Managing financial budgets / ·  Planning and reviewing the delivery of strategic services
Specific Knowledge/
Experience / ·  Proven senior financial management experience of running a large complex organisation
·  Demonstrate experience of Risk Management methodology and operation.
·  Proven experience of Audit responsibilities and management within a complex multi-site environment
·  Demonstrate a high level of skill as a valued business partner and leader.
·  Experience of working in the Charity and Education sector
·  Experience of working under within a Finance and Audit committee structure / ·  Evidence of significant achievements of business opportunities in both the private and public sectors
·  Experience of School Business Management
Skills/Abilities / ·  Well developed communications skills
·  Ability to develop and sustain partnerships
·  High level of managerial and leadership skills
·  High level of interpersonal skills
·  Excellent political awareness skills
·  Ability to work effectively with external partners / contractors and other
Stakeholders
·  Has high degree of integrity
·  Demonstrates strong interpersonal and networking styles
·  Shows a high degree of awareness towards the needs of the customers / student / ·  Ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of the impact of committee decisions on the Educational and Business operation of an not-for-profit organisation
DBS (CRB) / ·  This post is subject to receipt of a Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate / ·  N/A
Special requirements / ·  Evidence of a commitment to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children and young people
·  Ability to travel as required / ·  N/A

1

[1] Academies Enterprise Trust, London Academies Enterprise Trust, AET Solutions Limited, Unity City Academy Trust