English Schools Foundation Confidential Version

JOB FAMILY

Role Name / Finance Manager
Job Code
Role Summary / The position will be responsible for the effective management of the accounting procedures and accurately recording of all financial transactions on the school's finance system, have the skills to understand how to work within the legal and regulatory framework and ensure high standards of financial probity and value for money are held within the school.
Main Accountabilities / To ensure the school has an effective finance function, which meets all internal and external accounting, tax and statutory reporting requirements, and provides strong financial support and guidance to the school operation.
Finance Operations
- Organise and manage the school finance team to carry out all necessary finance functions in accordance with compliance, legislation and guidance
- Develop highly effective finance systems and internal control mechanisms
- Ensure finance procedures and processes are carried out efficiently
- Maintain and manage financial accounts records and reconciliations
- Operate Epicor, the ESF finance system
- Manage the college purchase operation system
- Maintain payroll information for school based employees including supply teachers (as needed)
- Maintain college asset management system;
- Maintain college Bank and General Ledger A/C
Internal Reporting
- Produce monthly management accounts and finance reports as per prescribed timetable and of excellent quality.
- Produce reports on pupil numbers, cash flow, capital expenditure, staffing and other KPIs as requested.
- Provide financial information to Business and Administration Manager to aid management of the school budget.
External Reporting
- Ensure accounting records maintained that meet statutory requirements and ensure school passes its annual audits.
- Ensure school entity meets all its tax recording and reporting requirements and pays all taxes on time as and when necessary.
- Produce all financial reports as required for external auditing, tax and other external bodies.
- Develop strong relationships with external audit, tax and banking organisations.
Other Finance
- Assist Business and Administration Manager in the annual budgeting process
- Provide day to day operational support for the Business and Administration Manager, including contracts, resources and facilities management
- Ensure efficient fee/payment collection and follow up effectively with any outstanding debtors
- Liaise closely with teaching and administrative staff for understanding of school finance requirements;
- Compile and update finance operation manuals for effective management
Staff Management
- Recruit finance staff that are high caliber and dedicated
- Develop a strong team ethos
- Ensure excellent on the job training and development of staff
Other
- To be an active and enthusiastic member of the team
- Gain a good understanding of the whole school operation.
- Any other appropriate duties as allocated by Business and Administration Manager
Typical reporting relationship / Reporting to: Business and Administration Manager
Direct reports: other finance staff
Other Key Relationships: Vice Principals, Senior Leaders, HR Team, Resources Team, Head of Department, Facilities Team
Minimum typical education / - Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance-related field and/or
- Accountancy qualification
Minimum typical experience / - Proven track record with at least five years in finance function
- Experience of supervision, management and development of staff
- Experience of producing management accounts
- Experience of liaison with external audit and taxation bodies
- Experience of setting up a Finance function
- Experience of implementing new finance systems
- Previous experience of school finance would be advantageous, but is not essential.
Core Professional / Technical Competencies required / - Fluent in English and Cantonese, both oral and written
- Ability to prioritise and deliver against agreed service levels and targets
- High level of interpersonal and communication skills with all levels of organisation
- High level of technical accountancy and tax knowledge
- Up to date with changes in accountancy and tax legislation
- Good conceptual and analytical ability and presentation skills
- High level of commercial awareness
- Excellent organisational skills
- Strong ownership of work
- Sound common sense and problem solving skills
- Good formal and informal leadership skills
- Can perform effectively and with integrity under pressure.
Core Soft / Transferable Competencies required / Personal Attributes
- Respectful, honest and trustworthy
- Flexible
- Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Sound work ethics
- Meticulous
- Shows initiative, and can pre-empt issues and challenges.
- Highly motivated individual with results oriented mentality
- Ability to work in a mature, constructive and independent manner
- A highly committed team player
- Ability to listen to others, formulate overall view and propose an individualised solution
- Affinity with and interest in education
- Service and customer focused ethos
- Readiness to take up responsibilities
Development / Training to support role competencies / Development activities
TBA
Relevant courses
TBA
Notes: