,

Information for Candidates Head of Finance

THE CONSORTIUM ACADEMY TRUST Harland Way Cottingham HU16 5PX

Chief Executive Officer: Dave McCready

Telephone Number: 01482 469838 Email: [email protected] Website: www.consortiumtrust.co.uk

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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 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, and Sixth Form College, and Sixth Form College, and Sixth Form College, , 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.

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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

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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.

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Contract Management 1. To manage the financial element of all contracts within the Trust including PFI.

Business Planning 1. Contribute to the development and review of a 5-year strategic business plan, ensuring objectives are linked to the long term financial plan of the Trust. 2. Manage special projects as required, particularly those concerned with income generation and to assist in writing bids for funding as required.

As a member of The Consortium Academy Trust;  Role model appropriate behaviours within a professional environment including conduct, communication and personal appearance  Role model high levels of literacy and numeracy including modelling appropriate language  Have high expectations of students  Aspire to develop your professional skills and qualifications  Use all forms of social media appropriately  Contribute to systems of evaluation and performance of the organisation positively

Note: Your duties may involve access to information of a confidential and sensitive nature which may be covered by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). All employees of The Consortium Academy Trust will be expected to comply with the GDPR when handling any personal data. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times. In addition to the above the post holder must be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

This job description will be reviewed regularly and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of the school in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties. In addition you may be expected to take part in any other reasonable duties which may be required.

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PERSONAL SPECIFICATION FOR HEAD OF FINANCE

Category Essential Desirable Evidence

Qualifications Appropriate Professional Qualification, CCAB, CIMA or equivalent Application Membership of relevant accounting professional body form/ and Training Interview Leading a team and working with external organisations Engagement with wider educational partnerships Application Experience Successfully managing a large finance team Experience of working in a Multi Academy Trust form/ Providing financial support at senior management level Experience of successful bid writing or fundraising Interview Successful experience of working in a school or Academy finance Evidence of relevant Continuing Professional role, or in a similar position working alongside schools e.g. qualified Development accountant Successful experience of managing large and complex budgets Successful experience of producing and presenting complex management accounts

Knowledge of Academy financial rules and regulations, Ability to interrogate school performance data and Application Skills, Knowledge of Charites SORP, PAYE and VAT Regulations finances and identify next steps for form/ knowledge and Excellent financial management and financial planning skills progress Interview aptitude Ability to introduce and maintain effective and robust financial Effective negotiation skills systems Knowledge of using educational finance packages Outstanding communication skills; ability to communicate effectively at CEO, Chair of Board, Directors, Headteacher, and Governor level and to liaise effectively with internal and external auditors, as well as Government agencies Ability to analyse financial issues and to interpret complex information and offer sound, reliable and professional advice Excellent IT skills including use of accounting software and spreadsheets Proven people management skills Commercial awareness and ability to achieve value for money Ability to work effectively under pressure, managing conflicting priorities and to meet challenging deadlines Ability to work independently to tackle problems creatively and to think laterally Self-motivated with the ability to motivate and challenge colleagues, peers and teams Receptive to new ideas and able to generate them

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Commitment to working in an educational setting Willingness to contribute to and participate in Interview Personal Commitment to continuing professional development and undertake continuous professional development Attributes relevant ongoing training. Successful record of establishing and maintaining excellent internal and external working relationships Positive, enthusiastic outlook with energy, drive and determination to succeed Flexible approach to work Ability to work across multiple sites Flexible with the willingness to support colleagues at pressure points Resilient Effective team player Listening skills High levels of personal and professional integrity and honesty confidentiality, discretion, sensitivity A positive role model for colleagues Stamina, tenacity, optimism and ambition Self-motivation and a willingness to accept responsibility Excellence of day-to-day contribution and reliability Appropriate awareness of health and safety in relation to area of work