Catholic Secondary School for Girls Aged 11-19 in the Diocese of Brentwood

THE URSULINE ACADEMYILFORD

Catholic Secondary School for Girls Aged 11-19 in the Diocese of Brentwood

MISSION STATEMENT:

We are a Catholic community of faith, love and service

rooted in the spirit of St Angela.

Through Christ and the Gospel and in our diverse community

we strive to provide an environment for young women

to flourish spiritually, academically and socially.

Together we are the Ursuline Academy Ilford.

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Part – time (0.8)

CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK

June2015

THE URSULINE ACADEMY ILFORD

Science College

Principal: Mr J A Burke MTh BD NPQH PGCE

Morland Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 4JU

Tel: 020 8554 1995

Number on Roll: 793 Girls 11-19 (including Sixth Form: 168)

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

£30,000 – £35,000 (0.8 pro-rata)

Required ASAP

Governors are seeking to appoint an AAT qualified (or equivalent)Financial Controller with a proven track record to lead our dedicated and hardworking Finance Team. Along with the Academy Business Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role in the management of our FinanceDepartment. This will provide you with a valuable portfolio of experience as you will be required to work within the constraints of various regulatory bodies.

You will demonstrate a commitment to strategic leadership and vision. In return you will have ample opportunity to develop your role and take on additional responsibilities. As Financial Controller you will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the schoolsaccounting records, processes and financial systems.

The successful candidate will have:

An AAT qualification (desirable)
At least threeyears’ experience as a Financial Controller
Proven Competence in Payroll/Experience inCredit Control
Experience of using finance software and a willingness to learn new systems
An excellent level of IT literacy including MS Excel and MS Outlook

As Financial Controller, you must have excellent communication skills and a keen eye for detail. You will be analytical and organised, with a technical mind-set, strong problem solving abilities and a proactive approach.

In addition to line management responsibilities, your role will also require you to have regular contact (face to face/phone/email) with a range of stakeholders including students, parents, colleagues, external auditors and agencies. This is a key post and your skills will be harnessed to contribute to shaping the future of our high performing Department. We are committed to ensuring all staff are given the opportunity to develop professionally, empowering your ability to contribute to the strategic development of the Academy.

What sets us apart?

You will join a popular and successful all-girls Catholic comprehensive Academy, be part of a team of committed, highly professional support staff and teachers driven to make a difference in an Academy which has an excellent academic record.

Rewards and benefits package:

Excellent terms and conditions of employment including membership of LGPS
Subsidised places at the adjacent independent Ursuline Preparatory School and Nursery – children of staff qualify for 80% discount (subject to places being available in relevant year groups)
Comprehensive staff well-being programme including subsidised exercise classes, staff well-being massages, cycle pool, flu vaccinations, health checks, highly subsidised laptop rental scheme
A town-centre location with excellent transport links (15 mins to the City)

The Academy received a good OFSTED report in March 2012

Visits to the Academy are welcomed by prior arrangement.

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. To ensure that this is achieved we expect all employees to share this commitment and staff will be recruited and selected in line with safer recruitment policy and practice. The successful applicant will undertake an enhanced DBS check.

For further information and to download an application form please access the Academy website:

or email

Please note we are unable to accept CVs.

Completed application forms should be returned to the HR Dept by

Closing Date: Wednesday 8 July 2015Interviews: w/c: Monday 13 July 2015

THE URSULINE ACADEMY ILFORD
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: / Financial Controller
Team: / Finance
Ursuline Scale: / Points 38 – 42
£30,000 - £35,000 (0.8 pro-rata)
Hours/weeks:
eg 36 hours/52.14 weeks / Part Time Post
32 hours per week
Line Manager/Reports to: / Academy Business Manager
Role purpose and role dimensions: / To provide:

To lead the Finance Team in meeting all objectives and targets
To lead whole-school support-staff functions as directed (eg, School Shop)

Key internal contacts: / Academy Business Manager
Finance Assistant(s)
Finance Apprentice
HR Manager
Key external contacts: / The Ursuline Preparatory School Ilford
Auditors
Regulatory Bodies
Other considerations:
eg working patterns / A flexible approach is required.
Working hours dependent on the needs of the setting.
Lead/attendance at:

Departmental Meetings
CPD sessions

PURPOSE OF JOB
The Financial Controller is responsible for:

ensuring the accuracy and integrity of our Academy’s accounting records and financial systems.
overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Academy’saccounts, maintain financial ledgers and a range of accounting processes.
ensuring that appropriate systems are used and have accountability/responsibility for cash management and treasury duties.
overseeing the processing of all sales and purchase invoices, as well as making sure accounts are reconciled each month.
liaising with external auditors/advisors and be proactive in ensuring queries regarding accounts are resolved.
have responsibility for managing the payroll process including HMRC, Pensions,Auto Enrolment and associated payments.

You will provide professional accounting and financial management services to include:

An accounting service including closure of accounts
Assistance in budget preparation, budget forecasts, financial plans
Regular payroll and budget monitoring, financial controls and advice service

KEY TASKS/RESPONSIBILITIES
•Lead Finance Team; managing performance and developing skills
•Manage the accounting and systems support for the whole finance function; planning, controlling and prioritising activities
•Manage balance sheet reconciliations, including payroll accounts, ensuring financial controls are maintained. Set up formal balance sheet controls for review and sign off
•Prepare monthly P&L statements, balance sheets and cash flow reports
•Calculating the monthly depreciation charge
•Ensure compliance with Auto Enrolment – Pensions
•HMRC VAT regulations/VAT returns
•Compliance with finance regulations
•Implementation of audit reports
•Implementation of automated reconciliation systems and processes, replacing manual reconciliation processes
•Manage the data integrity of the Financial Systems and documentation; initiating data cleanse exercises and improving data entry processes and controls
•Support the review of Chart of Accounts structure to streamline and simplify
•Provide ad hoc financial reporting and management information support to Academy Business Manager, including preparation for Governors Meetings
•Budget costing
•Budgetary control
•Preparation of year end returns (creditors, debtors, payments and receipts in advance)
•Recording/auditing Academy’s unofficial funds
•Year end budget forecasts
•Contract Standing Orders
•Bookkeeping – all ledgers, including the cashbook
•Sales and Purchase ledgers
•Parent Pay
•Handlingreceipts and payments
•Cash flow monitoring
•Collection of monies
•Credit Control including despatch invoices and statements
•Gift Aid
•Administration of bank accounts and petty cash
•Undertaking basic office administrative duties, including, but not limited to, opening the post and photocopying
•Responding to enquiries on the telephone, email and face-to-face (parents, staff and external contacts)
•Deputise for Academy Business Manager as appropriate
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED
•AAT qualification/Associate membership of Accountancy Body
•At least 3 years experience as a Financial Controller
•Scrupulous attention to detail
•Analytical and organised
•Technical mindset, strong problem solving abilities and a proactive approach
•A competent user of accounting packages and excellent IT Literacy, particularly with MS Excel and MS Outlook
•Articulate with an ability to communicate effectively and confidently, both verbally and in writing with people at all levels including parents, staff, students, suppliers and external contacts
•Ability and willingness to work effectively/lead a close team
•Tactful and diplomatic with a confident outlook
•Reliable and professional approach and attitude to work
•Highly motivated in working to provide a high quality service to The Ursuline Academy Ilford
•Total commitment to preserving the confidentiality of data
•Ability and willingness to learn and develop new skills
•Commitment to the aims and ethos of the Academy
NATURE AND SCOPE

The role may involve participation at Academy events and opportunities to attend meetings away from the Academy offices.
Attention to detail is essential to this post. Accuracy of data input whether financial or personal information is of paramount importance.
The post-holder must follow strict confidentiality and Data Protection guidelines as the nature of the information handled can be personally, financially and commercially sensitive.
This job description is not exhaustive and is liable to review following discussion with the job holder.
The job holder will be expected to undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by their line manager and commensurate with the job grade.

The attention of the job holder is drawn to the following:
All employees have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure that their working environment is kept free of hazards that may prove injurious to themselves, their colleagues and all those engaged in school business as well as any visitors to the Academy.
All employees have a duty to comply with the Academy’s Equal Opportunities Policy in their contact with other staff, parents and visitors.
All employees have a responsibility to ensure that their use of the Academy’s computer systems does not jeopardise the security, integrity or legality of that system.
Users must:
• maintain password confidentiality and not provide access to the system to those not employed by the Academy or in any other way unauthorised;
• not load any software onto the system themselves nor permit anyone other than a member of the Academy’s IT department to load software onto the system;
• not use any unlicensed software and report any suspected breaches of software licensing to theAcademy’s IT Manager, the Academy Business Manager or Line Manager;
• take the same care with e-mails as with any other written communication from or on behalf of the Academy; and restrict their usage of the Internet to that allowed by The Ursuline Academy Ilford.
OTHER

Any other duties required by the Academy Business Managerwhich are within the scope of this post.
To work within and support the Academy’s Equal Opportunity policy and contribute to diversity policies and programmes in relation to discriminatory behaviour.
To continually update and extend knowledge by attending CPD, training relevant to the post, including Safeguarding and medical intervention updates thereby actively supporting and promoting safeguarding.
To carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post, in accordance with the Academy’s Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety Guidance and Legislation.
To use information technology systems as required to carry out the duties of the post in the most efficient and effective manner.
To undertake other duties appropriate to the post that may reasonably be required from time to time.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Green Statement / This will involve:

Contributing to the Academy’s commitment to making Redbridge a cleaner, greener place to live. In particular, demonstrating good environmental practice (such as energy efficiency, use of sustainable materials, sustainable transport, recycling and waste reduction) in your job.
Supporting the Academy’s commitment to work towards a paperless office.
Encourage and support the use of sustainable travel to and from the Academy.

Data Protection/Confidentiality / This will involve:

Complying with the Data Protection Act 1998 – treating all information acquired through your employment, both formally and informally, in strict confidence and in accordance with Caldicott principles.
Complying with the Code of Conduct, other practice guidelines and the rules and protocols defining employees’ access to and use of the Academy’s databases and systems. Any breaches could result in disciplinary measures.
Maintaining client records and archive systems in accordance with departmental procedure, policy and statutory requirements.

Conduct and Whistleblowing / This will involve:

Complying with the requirements of the Code of Conduct and maintaining high standards of personal conduct, honesty and integrity. You have a duty to raise any impropriety or breach of procedure to the appropriate level of management.

Employees making such disclosures (whistleblowing) are protected and may make them without fear of recrimination.
Safer Working / This will involve:

Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Ursuline Academy Ilfordwill require a DBS (formerly CRB) Disclosure check and Barred List (formerly List 99) check. References will be taken up prior to interview.

Equalities / This will involve:

Complying with the Academy’s strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity and outcomes for staff and pupils. You are expected to understand, comply with and promote The Ursuline Academy Ilfordpolicies in your work, to undertaken any appropriate training and, where appropriate, to report any prejudice or discrimination.

Standards / This will involve:

Complying with the Academy’s highstandards thereby promoting the continued development of high quality, individualised service to all staff and pupils.

Health and Safety / This will involve:

Being responsible for your own Health & Safety, as well as that of colleagues, pupils and the public. Employees should co-operate with management, follow established systems of work, use protective equipment where necessary and report defectives and hazards to management.

To contribute as an effective and collaborative member of the team / This will involve:

Taking responsibility for continuing self-development and participating in training and development activities.
Supporting and contributing to ensure a commitment to continued efficiencies and improvements.

Flexibility / This will involve:

The above-mentioned duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive. From time to time you may be required to undertake responsibilities outside the normal remit of your Job Description as required by the line manager, and are broadly within your grading level and competence.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: / Financial Controller
Method of candidate assessment: A = Application form I = Interview T = Test Ac = Activity
Weighting: E = Essential D = Desirable / A – I – T / Weighting
Education and Experience: /

Good honours degree or equivalent
AAT Qualification
Minimum of 3years experience as a Financial Controller
Experience of school finance and business management
Detailed knowledge of financial accounting and reconciliations; financial systems and process development
Experience of managing and developing staff. Sets high standards of performance

/ A
A
A – I
A – I
T
A – I / D
D
D
D
E
E
Knowledge and Understanding: /

Comprehensive knowledge of Finance, Accounting and Databases
Risk Management/Health and Safety

/ A – I
A - I – Ac / E
D
Skills: /

Excellent financial accounting skills; financial systems and General Ledger skills and process skills
Excellent self-management skills; proven ability to prioritise tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines/targets
Analytical and innovative
Able to explain financial matters to non-financial staff
Skilled communicator/influencer to negotiate solutions to budget or financial controls issues
Ability to investigate a problem or situation beyond routine questioning

/ A - I – Ac
A - I – Ac
A – I
A – I
A – I
A – I / E
E
E
D
D
D
Abilities: /

to form and maintain appropriate relationships, observe professional and personal boundaries with pupils, parents, colleagues and external agencies
willingness to lead and work constructively as part of a team and inspire/motivate others
to deal with sensitive information in a confidential manner
to use own initiative as appropriate and work flexibly
to maintain consistent high standards of professionalism
a commitment to providing a responsive and supportive service and a willingness to constantly seek ways of improving the support provided to pupils, parents and external agencies
good teamwork skills, actively involves colleagues
A commitment to deliver services with the framework of The Ursuline Academy Ilford’sEqual Opportunities Policy.

/ A – I
A – I
A – I
A – I
A – I
A – I
A – I
A – I / E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Other: /

Role Model: Consistently leads by example. Acts with integrity, impartiality and independence, balancing personal, organisation and legal parameters
Flexible approach including willingness to respond to requests for flexible working at short notice to meet the needs of the setting
An understanding of and a genuine commitment to equal opportunities.

/ A – I
A – I / E
E

June 2015

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