Trust Finance Director

Job role:

Other support role

Visas cannot be sponsored

Full time

Permanent

£72,289-£76,029

NJC PO11 (54-57)

The Finance Director will play a pivotal role in supporting the CFOO by providing operational leadership and financial management across the Trust. The postholder will lead day-to-day finance activity, with a particular focus on the secondary phase schools and shared services, while providing oversight of primary phase finance. Working withinthe strategic financial framework set by the CFOO, the Finance Director will oversee financial planning, compliance, reporting and risk management acrossall academies within the Trust ensuring robust financial controls are in placeand that key financial risks and issues are escalated appropriately.

• Support the CFOO in the development, implementation and delivery of the Trust'sfinancial strategy, ensuring alignment with the Trust's educational priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Lead finance activity for the secondary phase schools and shared services team,including preparation of annual budgets, forecasts and financial plans, anddirect line management of the secondary school finance managers.
• Provide oversight of primary phase finance through line management of the Head of Primary Finance, operating within the strategic financial framework and overall oversight of the CFOO.
• Ensurethe timely preparation and submission of all statutory financial returns,including Budget Forecast Returns and other Department for Education (DfE) requirements
• Oversee financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with the Academies Trust Handbook and DfE requirements.
• Lead and managethe Trust's finance team, providing guidance to finance managers and senior leaders while fostering high performance and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective financial controls, policies, and procedures are in place and adheredto.
• Monitor financial performance and provide insightful analysis to supportdecisionmaking.
• Support capital projects, including financial planning and reporting for estates and infrastructure developments.
• Contribute to risk management processes, including financial risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Monthly GAG transfer statement preparation for all schools, along with raisingBACs/account transfers/posting requirements for other schools. Distribution of DfE remittances and filing.
• Coordinate the operational delivery of statutory external audit requirements, acting asthe main day-to-day contact for auditors and escalating key issues to the CFOOas required. Second in charge for internal audit
• Central Bank Account Coordination. Ensure that all schools move to agreed banking platform and manage all signatory information and banking controls .
• Ensure implementation of all Chart of Account changes, Policy and Procedures
• Lead communications to finance managers on changes to Access, Chart of Accounts,Financial Policy Changes and preparing draft Financial Policies and Procedures(FPP) annual updates.
• Collect information from respective schools for audit reporting, and other statutory reports.
• Pensions audit co-ordination.
• Provide support for finance training across our schools and shared services
• Deputise for CFOO when necessary (finance committee, audit committee)
• Leadthe continuous development of the finance function, promoting high standards of performance, customer service, professional development and continuous improvement.

This is a not definitive list of responsibilities as the CFOO may need to delegate key responsibilities when support is needed.

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience in a senior…