Financial Controller

Financial Controller required for Surrey based School

ACA/ACCA/CIMA Qualified Accountant required

Client Details

A highly regarded Surrey based school are looking to recruit a Financial Controller to join its Finance team.

Duties for the Financial Controller will include managing the Finance team which includes keeping accounting records, evaluating and managing risk, ensuring compliance with regulations, publishing financial statements, overseeing accounting operations, analysing financial data, monitoring expenditure, forecasting revenue, coordinating auditing processes, and ensuring accuracy of financial information.

The strategic planning and numerical proficiency as a Financial Controller will aid the School in maintaining positive revenue and financial growth, formulating sound financial strategies, implementing proper internal controls, achieving targets, and developing financial/business plans that support the School's strategy for the future.

Description

• Execute and manage finance processes from end to end
• Manage month and year end finance processes and reporting
• Create/manage monthly, termly and annual management reports and statutory accounts.
• Manage the credit control processes ensuring debt is managed
• Ensure high level of customer service in all bursarial matters
• Present finance/business papers at Board meetings
• Lead and develop a high performing team
• Maintain full and accurate business processes with adequate cover for all processes within a small team to avoid single points of failure
• Provide accurate and timely financial information across the business to promote ownership and accountability of budget holders.
• Oversee all investments
• Create and maintain the financial control risk register to ensure a robust system of internal controls
• Continually develop and improve finance processes and controls, introducing corporate best practice
• Manage delivery of outsourcing services processes and functions in line with SLAs and KPIs
• Lead and manage projects on an ad-hoc basis
• Lead and implement new systems to deliver value adding change
• Provide business partnering support by providing financial information which allows for business decision making/ strategic planning
• Ensure that all financial transactions are properly recorded, filed, and reported
• Establish and implement financial reporting systems to comply with GAAP and government regulations /legislation
• Lead engagement and delivery of external audit
• Work independently to manage an effective and efficient finance team, providing leadership and support to the team.
• Develop KPI reporting for the company, benchmarking performance against competitors/industry standards, identifying future opportunities to grow higher value services/products

• Conduct and implement potential cost reducing or value adding opportunity

• Report to School Business Director and governors with timely and accurate financial information

• Manage relationships with the Company's auditors and external advisors.
• Monitor and manage banking activities of the organisation.
• Provide finance support in assessing future acquisitions/ business development
• Building/reviewing business cases as required for all OPEX and CAPEX investments.

Profile

• Accounting/finance qualification, preference for ACCA and CIMA
• Strong accounting knowledge, with proven experience in large/multi national companies
• Experienced in successfully influencing decision making and performance/profit improvement.
• Experience in growing and managing teams/ working as part of a large team
• Strong experience of month end close, functional reporting and preparation of statutory accounts
• Experience in financial controls (SOX a plus)
• Very strong excel and analytical skills
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to unravel complex accounting queries
• Excellent organisation skills: ability to plan and organise work so that it is efficient and effective
• Strong communicator and team player, commercially driven and motivated to act as a partner to your peers.
• Manage and shape the finance function, running the day to day financial operations and implementing new processes to increase efficiency.
• Ability to comprehend and narrate financial records for external stakeholders
• Good punctuality and time management skills
• Experience in accounting software migration (a plus)
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills in particular advanced used of Excel
• Very strong excel and analytical skills;
• Knowledge of Sage and Xero or similar accounting software;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and self-management skills
• Ability to cope under pressure and deliver during periods of change.
• A flexible, pro-active and willing approach and be comfortable working within a small team

Job Offer

28 days holiday plus 9 additional days during the festive period

Generous pension

Free parking

Free lunches

Friendly team