Vacancies

SOKE EDUCATION TRUST

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Job Description

The Soke Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate/s will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check/Section 128 check.

The Soke Education Trust was established on January 1^st 2018 comprising of Werrington Primary School, Wittering Primary School, John Clare Primary School and Gunthorpe Primary School. The Trust is the approved sponsor of Gunthorpe Primary School. On the 1^st September 2019 Northborough Primary School joined the Trust and we now comprise of 5 primary schools.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The CFO will work alongside and report directly to the CEO playing both a technical and leadership role including: ensuring sound and appropriate financial governance and risk management arrangements are in place, preparing and monitoring of budgets, and ensuring the delivery of annual accounts.

To develop and manage the Soke Education Trust financial regulations and procedures to enable the Trust to fulfil its statutory* financial accountabilities and responsibilities effectively, efficiently and compliantly.

This requires relevant experience and an appropriate qualification, for example AAT, ACCA, CIMA.

* As per Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Academies Finance Handbook

MAIN ASPECTS OF THE ROLE

To work closely with the Trust finance advisor on development of robust MAT financial regulations, procedures and reporting requirements across the Trust member schools.
To work closely with the Trust finance advisor on producing the appropriate financial reports for the MAT Board, Finance & Audit Committee, Local Governing Bodies and Leadership Group.
To support and advise the Trust Leadership Group, Chief Executive Officer and Headteachers on effective, efficient and compliant Trust financial management and operation.
To support and advise the Trust Finance & Audit Committee on effective, efficient compliant Trust financial governance and management.
To support and advise the Trust Board of Directors on the effective, efficient and compliant Trust financial governance and management.
To lead and support the finance staff in the Trust schools in managing their school finances in alignment with Trust financial regulations, procedures and reporting.
Any other duties required that are commensurate with the grading of the post.
To be fully aware of and understand the implications of safeguarding children and young people as this applies to the role within the organisation.
The post-holder will report to the Chief Executive Officer.
The role does not have line management responsibility for school finance staff – however the CFO will provide direction to other finance staff as required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

To develop and oversee all financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook and Statement of Recommended Practices (SORP) of the Charities Commission.
To work closely with the academy finance officers to ensure compliance with Finance Policies and Procedures and act as first point of contact on queries from school staff.
To prepare and manage the Trust central budget, working with the Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Group and the Trust Board.
To support Headteachers and academy finance officers in developing their academy annual budgets.
To prepare the Trust budget consolidating the Trust central budget and individual academy budgets.

To prepare and submit all financial returns as required by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, Companies House or prevailing financial regulation.
To ensure all statutory reporting on behalf of the Trust is accurate and timely.

To ensure appropriate internal audit is carried out for the Trust and all Trust member academies within the Trust (as decided by the Trust and using appointed Accountancy firm/responsible officer).
To organise and support the annual independent financial audit of the Trust.
To organise and support preparation of Trust Financial Statements for Trust review and approval.
To organise and support the preparation of the Trust Annual Report for Trust review and approval.
To ensure follow up on any recommendations from internal or external audit reports.
To ensure any tax obligations are discharged correctly and effectively.
To ensure that the academies are fully prepared to meet OFSTED financial criteria.
To liaise with relevant government agencies as required.
To monitor overall spending within each academy school to ensure schools are on budget, making any recommendations to the Governors as required.
To oversee the coordination of the payroll across the MAT schools including necessary payments to the payroll provider.
To organise and administer the MAT’s obligations for teachers and support staff pensions including annual valuations.
To manage the Trust Central Budget - processing orders and invoices relating to it.
Monitor overall expenditure to ensure budgetary control highlighting any under/overspends to the Chief Executive Officer and Leadership Group as appropriate.

To ensure the Trust complies with statutory requirements such as GDPR/Data Protection and the Freedom of Information Act.
To attend regular meetings with the Trust Board and Finance & Audit Committee meetings
To oversee the installation and implementation of the new Trust financial software system including organising appropriate training for colleagues
To oversee the Trust’s banking including reconciliations and monitoring of cash flow.

TIME ALLOCATION

The post is anticipated as requiring an average of 0.6 FTE or 3 days per week. It will involve some out of school hours work such as attending committee meetings.

REMUNERATION

The 12 days per month will be paid pro rata at Grade 13: Pt 40 £42683 – Pt 44 £46573 FTE.

The CFO contract will be a 52 week contract to account for Financial reporting in normal holiday periods.

(Note: If applicable: Internal Staff on term-time only contracts may be asked to work a limited number of days during the summer holidays to prepare for the year end. This will be paid at the full day rate.)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application forms can be obtained via www.sokeeducationtrust.co.uk - vacancies – CFO Post

Applicants are required to submit a covering letter stating their suitability for the post taking into account the Person Specification/Job Description and a completed application form by midday on the 20^th January 2020 by email to Ben Wilding CEO – head@werrington.peterborough.sch.uk . If you have any queries please do not hesitate to make contact via: Tel - 01733 571779.

Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 28^th January 2020 and will include a panel interview as part of the process.

Expected start date is to be confirmed depending upon the availability of the selected candidate. However, it is anticipated that this will be in March 2020.