Finance Business Partner

**Summary** We are looking for a Finance Business Partner to join our team, supporting primary and secondary academies in Thurrock and North London. The role will report to the Senior Business Partner at our head office in Croydon, but will require significant time to be spent on site at the academies. **About Us** We are a pioneering education charity, and one of the leading multi-academy trusts in the country. We have a track record of taking on some of the most challenging schools in London, turning them into places where every young person can access a high-quality education and have opportunities to succeed. Educating 1 in 41 young people in London, we now have 52 primary and secondary academies transforming the life chances and opportunities of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies in London. Our central team comprises a dedicated, driven group of departments working centrally to provide support across the Federation and all of our academies. Across a multitude of key departments, we maintain expertise all integral to supporting central and academies in areas such as Finance, HR, Data, Estates Management, Talent and many more. **Main Areas of Responsibility** - Provide monthly financial reporting and advice to senior management and budget holders, including a staff forecast report and available to spend report. - Prepare Annual Budget and 3-year financial forecast preparation and monitoring - Prepare Monthly balance sheet, control accounts and cash flow management - Review and authorisation of Academy Bacs runs along with the Principal - Review of monthly credit card and petty cash reconciliations - Review of aged debtors and creditor reports and support finance officers in clearing balances - Review the payroll reports and highlight significant variations to budget to the Principal - Assist with the Teachers’ Pension reconciliations, annual reporting and audit - Assist with the financial risk to be captured in the Academy’s risk register if needed - Managing all internal and external financial audit processes - Up to 1 day per week academy visit, day to be agreed with the Academy - Ensure all ESFA/ LA financial claims are made on behalf of the Academy - Work with Academy SENCO to ensure all the required funding is duly claimed including LAC funding. - Work with Academy Budget holders to ensure reporting forecasts are accurate e.g. Premises Manager, Exams Manager, Nursery and Wraparound Managers etc. - Assist with Finance Officer recruitment and support / provide any training needs required. - Provide termly checks on: - Academy contract register - Verification checks on fixed assets - Review FSM assessments - Attend and report on financial performance at termly F&GP meetings. - Support with costing analysis and budgetary sign-off needed for new contract negotiation - Ensure consistency of work and quality control procedures are overseen by Senior FBP - Monitoring the prompt completion of PO/ invoice submission and completion on Concur by finance officer **Qualifications & Experience** - Be CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA qualified - Have excellent communication skills both verbal and written - Show excellent interpersonal skills and gravitas to liaise with senior staff in the Academies - Be a good team player and skilled at building relationships - Be accustomed to working to tight reporting deadlines - Demonstrate a "can do" attitude - Demonstrate excellent time management skills - Demonstrate good analytical skills and a positive approach to problem solving - Have high level of Excel skills and good exposure to different Accounting Systems - Be able to work flexibly in rapidly changing business **Next Steps** **Professional Development & Benefits** Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level. In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits. We offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days either with the team at our office in East Croydon or visiting one of our academies. Learn more about our benefits on our website. **Safeguarding Notice** **Equal Opportunities** As a provider of employm