Finance Officer

Finance Officer REQUIRED AS SOON AS  POSSIBLE - Permanent 37 hours, 52 weeks per year

Level 5 Point 23 - 29: £21,724 - £26,315 depending on experience

We are seeking an experienced colleague to join our thriving school community, where all have a common goal of working towards Beechwood becoming an outstanding school. This colleague will have experience in managing a school's finance in accordance with the DFE Financial Management Standards and will report directly to the Finance and Operations Manager.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

maintaining all school records of accounts;

maintaining records of school assets and arranging for appropriate disposal; advising senior members of staff on matters relating to the school budget; monitoring the school budget;

assisting in such duties and activities relating to the general administration and control of the school finances as the Governors and Executive Headteacher shall from time to time reasonably require;

the Finance Officer will work in conjunction with the Finance and Operations Manager in thepreparation of the annual budget; monitoring income and expenditure in relation to budgets;

• keeping all school accounts and preparing income and expenditure reports in accordance with the DFE financial regulations and preparation of accounts for submission to the school's auditors;

maintenance and oversight of bank accounts (investment, deposit, non-public, transitionail ,etc); VAT accounting and payment. Returns to the LEA as required;

cash handling (collections and disbursements, banking and security);

scrutinising, in conjunction with the nominated staff members, and attending to payment of all invoices and statements of account; keeping analyses of costs and other statistical information;

being fully conversant with the school's computerised finance package; processing purchase orders, receiving delivered goods and processing invoices;

• processing orders and services ensuring value for money;
• cheque runs;

assisting with the monthly return; administration of school trip monies;

being conversant with the general principle of taxation applicable to the school; administer the schools letting programme;

administer the Cashless Catering accounts and Parent Pay and Free School Meal service;maintain all services required for the schools Mini Bus and administer required documentation; administer the purchase, sale and accounts relating to school uniform;

• the post holder should be flexible in the delivery of this post;
• the post holder is required to support and encourage the school's ethos and its objectives, policies and procedures as agreed by the Governing Body. The post holder shall be subject to all relevant statutory and institutional requirements;

the post holder may be required to perform any other reasonable tasks after consultation withthe post holder;

this job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post. It will be reviewed periodically and may be subject to modification at any time after consultation with the post holder.

The colleague will need:excellent written and verbal communication skills;

• excellent ICT skills including proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office, Outlook and financial packages;
• experience in a financial setting; excellent numeracy skills;

strong attention to detail and the ability to manage high volumes of work to designated deadlines;ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks;

proactive rather than reactive outlook and approach;

knowledge and experience of financial procedures and processes - ideally school finance office;

flexibility to work outside of contracted hours as and when required.

If you possess the above knowledge and skills, are aspirational and looking for your next challenge then we can offer you support and opportunity to achieve your goals within our school community.

Visits to the school are welcome. Further information and application form can be obtained by contacting our HR Officer & Personnel Adviser, Mrs Karen Crump on Karen.crump@Beechwood.slough.sch.uk or vvisit our website www.beechwoodschool.org.uk

Closing Date: Monday 8 June 2015

Interviews for shortlisted candidates:  week commencing 15 June 2015

Beechwood School, Long Readings Lane, Slough SL2 1QE Tel:   01753 520473