Finance Business Partner

A permanent, full time Finance Business Partner role based in South Manchester offering between £42,000 and £45,000 per annum, working within the Education Sector.

**Client Details**

Our client is a forward thinking education institution that offer truly comprehensive and inclusive academy environments for students. They pride themselves on providing exceptional education to ensure that students excel with excellent academic knowledgeand qualifications.

**Description**

The key responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to;
- Production of the monthly management accounts in line with the Trust reporting timetable, including a YTD I&E against budget, Balance Sheet, capital review and variance narrative
- Ensuring that all month end adjustments such as prepayments and accruals are recorded accurately and posted on a timely basis
- Reviewing the monthly management accounts to identity and address any areas of over / underspend, in partnership with Headteachers and Executive Headteachers
- Monitoring spend on capital projects, ensuring all relevant costs have been capitalised and budgets are closely monitored
- Presenting the monthly management accounts to the Local Governing Board and keeping them updated on all other relevant financial matters
- Re-forecasting the annual budget each month to ensure that changes to income and expenditure are captured appropriately and any amendments are approved in line with the Scheme of Financial Delegation
- Managing the annual budget setting and 3-year forecasting process for the designated schools, ensuring assumptions are sound, prudent and in line with Trust guidelines
- Working closely with Headteachers to ensure strategic short, medium and long term financial plans are delivered, and that budgets closely link with the schools strategic planning process
- Using financial and non-financial information effectively to benchmark performance
- Provision of information as required by the Finance Director to support the completion of ESFA financial returns
- Review and approval of invoices and Purchase Orders on PSF
- Supporting the Procurement Business Partner with procurement activity for the designated schools, such as tender processes and obtaining quotations
- Acting as a signatory on the bank account and reviewing and approving of BACS runs as required
- Reviewing and approving amendments to payroll and the monthly payroll reconciliation for the designated schools
- Production of departmental budget updates on a monthly basis, monitoring under / overspend and taking appropriate action
- Ensuring the staffing budget is kept up to date, and that amendments to payroll are appropriately reflected on HCSS
- Ensuring records of school based activities are appropriate and reviewed regularly, for example the petty cash reconciliation and recording of pupil payments, to ensure accurate records are kept
- Supporting with the preparation of year end working papers for the external audit and accounts
- Supporting with internal audits

**Profile**
- Part qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA/CIPFA);
- Extensive experience working in financial management;
- Demonstrable expertise in the completion of financial reports;
- Ability to complete core transactional work alongside strategic level responsibilities;
- Experience of budget management and monitoring;
- Experience in managing financial risks.

**Job Offer**
- A permanent, full time role offering some hybrid working, with occasional travel to local schools;
- Between £42,000 - £45,000 per annum, plus Local Gov Pension Scheme;
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays.