Education Finance Officer

Overview

Management of overall financial resources and procedures for SEND ensuring implementation of the new Schools Funding Arrangements 2013, including responsibility for SEN transport finance and post 16 transport finance.

Co-ordination and production of data information for statutory returns to the DfE, Freedom of Information requests etc. using Synergy, Liquid Logic, excel spreadsheets and any other SEN sources of information.

Administer the process for determining eligibility for free school meals, including liaising with schools and parents.

• The post holder is required to have a high level of numeracy and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. They will also need to have the ability to deal professionally with internal clients, schools and academies and have a commitment to providing a quality service.
• The postholder must also be able to work effectively within a team.
• Prioritising own workload to meet conflicting deadlines while ensuring that critical fixed deadlines take absolute priority.
• A broad understanding of the different accounting principles and processes that relate to LA maintained schools, academies and free schools and of local authority accounting standards.
• Experience of working in a financial environment and of having used computerised financial systems e.g. Fusion would be an advantage.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including the development and use of macros, are essential together with a very good knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook.

• To be able to input data accurately into the team produce reports. To undertake data maintenance and analysis using spreadsheets
• Determine the high needs budget allocation for schools, academies and early years providers using Education Health Care Plan data. Revise these allocations throughout the years as EHCPs are awarded and when pupils move school.
• Lead responsibility for SEND Recoupment between LA's for Looked After Children (LAC) and for schools that have bought into the service.
• Meet with individual Headteachers and SENCOs.
• Training to all early years and school SENCOs on budget allocation
• In conjunction with the Team Manager, responsibility for verifying and processing contingency claims
• Budget monitoring

• Accurate forecasting to prepare for changes in need and provide cost effective provision to meet needs
• Schools, academies and high needs settings are provided with accurate and timely allocations and details of how these sums have been calculated.
• Accurate forecast of funding. All income received and invoices paid on time to reduce penalty payments
• Answer any queries in person to ensure Headteachers understand their allocation of budget for meeting the needs of pupils with SEN
• Once a year, meet with new SENCOs to explain allocation of funds and answer questions about their expenditure to meet the needs of pupils with SEN