Assistant Accounting & Finance Manager

We are looking for an Accounting candidate to work for a school based in Hornchurch, Essex. Ideally you will have some Accountancy qualifications - ideally working towards either AAT, CIMA or ACCA.

You will report to The Director of Finance and Resources.

Job Purpose: To administer all processes (ordering, invoicing, paying /receiving, recording , posting and reconciliation ) in relation to day to day financial transactions within the school in respect of the main school fund and the school private fund

To accurately maintain the school's financial accounting system in respect of routine transactions and ensure they are carried out in accordance with the school's financial regulations, good practice and the relevant statutory legislation

Duties:

- Manage the school's accounting system, ensuring efficient operation according to agreed procedures in the school's finance handbook and the Academies Financial Handbook
- Monitor accounting procedures and resolve problems, including purchase ledger, sales ledger, bank account, VAT returns, asset register and payroll
- Monitor all bank transactions on a regular basis and review and complete all bank reconciliations on a monthly basis and actively resolve any reconciliation differences
- Monitor expenditure against budget and report any variances across all cost centres
- Contribute to the development of effective systems of financial accountability and control
- Supervise efficient financial processes and procedures in line with academy financial requirements
- Track income and expenditure across funding streams
- Contribute to budget planning and payroll costing in consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources
- Prepare financial reports for Senior Leadership Team and Governors with the Director of Finance and Resources
- Liaise with budget holders regarding financial requirements
- Liaise with accountants and auditors regarding preparation and audit of annual accounts as directed
- Liaise with the School's Responsible Officer to enable him to carry out his duties effectively
- Supervise a team of three financial staff
- Oversee and supervise the administration and accounting of school trips, lettings, instrumental tuition and lockers
- Oversee and reconcile the school cashless system dealing with and resolving any banking discrepancies
- Dealing with parents and students queries on the cashless system
- Reconciliation of all Catering income to the accounting system and liaising with the Catering manager regarding catering Income and Expenditure
- Report regularly to the School's Director of Finance and Resources and the Headteacher
- Oversee all bank accounts including school purchase card, completing monthly bank reconciliations and reporting bank errors
- Oversee and ensure VAT accounting and payment and ensure that VAT reclaim returns are submitted in a timely manner.
- Prepare or review and complete the gift aid claims to HMRC
- Deputise for the School's Director of Finance and Resources as appropriate
- Maintain cash flow projection for the current and future years
- Authorise for payment all invoices received in the school

Payroll:

- Ensure payment of and checking of all salaries in liaison with the School's payroll provider
- Complete the postings and reconciliation of the monthly payroll to the accounting system
- Assist the School's Director of Finance and Resources in dealings with the payroll provider and the administration of the pension schemes for teaching and non-teaching staff
- Assist the School's Director of Finance and Resources with the School's income tax and rating assessments

Audit:

- Prepare with the School's Director of Finance and Resources the Accounts and Statements of Financial Activity (SOFA) and Balance Sheets in accordance with the charity's Statements of Recommended Practice (SORP)
- Prepare income and expenditure reports in accordance with EFA financial regulations, undertake end of year procedures and prepare accounts for submission to the School's auditors
- To prepare and post the year end journal vouchers including accruals and pre-payments ensuring that there is appropriate back-up for the Audit
- Co-ordinate the annual audit, liaising with the School's Director of Finance and Resources and Governors

Other Duties:

- Undertake duties as specified by the Headteacher/Director of Finance and Resources not already mentioned in the above
- Comply with any reasonable request from the Senior Leadership Team to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in the Job Description