Information for Candidates Head of Finance
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, Information for Candidates Head of Finance THE CONSORTIUM ACADEMY TRUST Harland Way Cottingham East Riding of Yorkshire HU16 5PX Chief Executive Officer: Dave McCready Telephone Number: 01482 469838 Email: [email protected] Website: www.consortiumtrust.co.uk _______________________________________________________________________________________ , Letter from the Chief Executive Officer Dear Applicant, Can I take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in our vacancy for the post of Head of Finance. The Consortium Academy Trust is a developing and forward thinking Multi Academy Trust. We are an ambitious community and recognise the impact of exceptional staff on the development of our positive and engaged team. We have an exciting opportunity for a suitably experienced and qualified individual to join our Central Services Team. Appropriate career development opportunities will be provided by the Trust. In this pack you will find the Job Description, Person Specification and also information about The Consortium Academy Trust. In addition you can access further information on the Trust website www.consortiumtrust.co.uk If you wish to discuss the post further please contact Clare Thorley, Director of Business Tel 01482 469838 The closing date for applications is 9.00 am on Friday 20 November 2020. Please submit your application to [email protected] As CEO of the Trust I believe that this is an exciting time to be joining our Trust and I very much hope that after reading the attached information and exploring our websites you will be motivated to submit an application. If that’s the case we look forward to receiving your application and once again many thanks for your interest in this post. Yours sincerely Chief Executive Officer The Consortium Academy Trust Our Trust The Consortium Academy Trust (TCAT), based in the East Riding of Yorkshire, was formed in September 2017 by the coming together of Cottingham Academy Trust, The Hessle Community Academy Trust and Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College to form a new Multi Academy Trust. These three schools have a successful history of partnership working, having operated Consortium Sixth Form arrangements for over 25 years. The Trust seeks to build on these relationships to create a regional structure that will see like-minded schools working together effectively within a partnership based on mutual trust and shared values. The Trust has grown rapidly from the three founding schools and TCAT currently comprises of six secondary schools and three primary schools, as well an associate member, with a total of approximately 7700 learners and a significant staff team. Our academies include Croxby Primary, Cottingham High School and Sixth Form College, Hessle High School and Sixth Form College, Holderness Academy and Sixth Form College, Howden School, Keyingham Primary, Penshurst Primary, Winifred Holtby Academy and Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College. Our Vision We believe in putting our children and young people first and that everything we do has that as its goal. Our vision is to be: A Trust that promotes academic excellence, where exciting opportunities allow students to excel in all that they do, and leave prepared to achieve all their ambitions. A Trust whose schools deliver the maximum potential for progress through inspirational teaching and learning, and outstanding school to school support. A Trust with a leading community role, whose schools are the preferred choice for students, parents and staff. Our core values underpin everything we do. They are developed in each academy to meet their needs. Aspiration. We are ambitious and we aim high for ourselves and for others. We believe that we can make a real difference. Respect. We respect ourselves and we respect each other. We respect our diverse environment and the community. Integrity. We are honest with each other and ourselves. We do the right thing for the right reasons. Responsibility. We take responsibility for everything we do. We see mistakes as an opportunity to improve and get things right next time. We do this in an environment where we can take appropriate risk in the pursuit of success. , Head of Finance Job Description Salary: Scale Point 51 to 54 £55,205 to £58,422 Hours of work: 37 hours per week permanent Responsible to: Director of Business Purpose of the Post: To support the Director of Business (DOB) and Executive Leadership Group (ELG) on Trust finance matters, supporting strategic business planning and managing day to day operational spend and activities. The Head of Finance (HoF) will provide specific expertise on long term financial management and ensure that all requirements of the Department for Education (DfE) and Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) are met. As part of this role the Head of Finance will work under the direction of the Director of Business and CEO and will work closely with the Headteachers in the academies to ensure compliance with financial procedures, the preparation and monitoring of individual academy budgets and ensuring that academies and the Trust comply with their statutory obligations. Responsible for the provision of monthly consolidated financial reporting, to enable the Trust to achieve its aims and objectives through the effective and efficient management of its financial resources. To lead the Central Finance Team, this will include line management of the Academy Business Managers and Finance Operational Manager to promote best practice and ensure compliance with the financial processes and procedures set out in the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation and Financial Standards and the Academies Financial Handbook. Under the Direction of the Director of Business the Head of Finance will have operational responsibility for: Financial records and statements Management accounts, including the end of year statutory accounts Leading the development and implementation of Trust finance policies Financial compliance with regulatory bodies Budget preparation Financial planning and reporting Audit services Financial systems and processes Other areas of work commensurate with the purpose of the post , Main Responsibilities 1. Ensure the Trust has appropriate financial systems in place and monitor these in accordance with the agreed policies and timetable; ensuring accurate financial records are maintained and reported to the DfE, ESFA, Companies House and the Charity Commission. 2. Prepare the year end statutory accounts and the audit file for the year end audit of the Trust accounts; liaise with the auditors to reach signoff and filing of annual company accounts according to DfE and HMRC guidelines. 3. To lead on the development and implementation of Trust finance policies, ensuring compliance with all statutory procedures. 4. To manage the development and implementation of computer based financial and management accounting systems to support the Trust’s business plan, and to ensure the systems provide appropriate levels of reporting and control. 5. Devise appropriate accounting procedures to control, monitor and disburse each academy’s budget, including routine financial arrangements. 6. Line manage the Academy Business Managers to ensure the production of monthly/quarterly management accounts and produce timely, accurate and appropriate reports and financial forecasts for the Trust. 7. Line manage the Finance Operations Manager to ensure a quality and efficient service to the Trust, suppliers and customers. 8. Work closely with the Payroll Manager and Director of HR to ensure payroll information is monitored, checking for accuracy and ensuring compliance with statutory and academy policy obligations including all statutory returns are completed accurately and submitted to HMRC. 9. As a member of the ELG attend Trust Board and relevant Committee meetings to present monthly and annual financial statements and relevant reports requested by the Trustees to support the effective management of the Trust. 10. Ensure timely and effective financial information for Trustees and provide support to ensure the effective conduct of their business in accordance with the articles of governance and financial regulations policy. 11. To manage all funding agreements with new and existing academies to ensure compliance with Education Funding Agency requirements. 12. Research and bid for additional funding to DfE and others, for the Trust and in support of individual schools and assist with the financial monitoring of projects as they are agreed. 13. Ensure that the necessary documentation is prepared and submitted for the recovery of VAT. 14. Provide bespoke training to the finance team. 15. Provide cover for the Director of Business and Academy Business Managers if required. Audit Services 1. Support the Director of Business by advising the CEO and the Board on external and internal audit arrangements as required by financial regulations and memoranda. 2. Work with the Director of Business to advise the work of the Audit Committee to ensuring compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook and funding agreement. 3. Work with the Director of Business to liaise with auditors and facilitate all audit arrangements . 4. Implement audit requirements as they affect the financial activities of the Trust. 5. Conduct comprehensive financial due diligence for any school considering joining the Trust and to advise the Board on all associated risks. , Contract Management 1. To manage the financial element of all contracts within the Trust including