Accountact
Timeplan are currently looking for a qualified AAT/ACCA Accountant to join a School Trust in Reading.
This is a full time position
Salary - Circa 45,000 pa - negotiable.
Hours of work Hours of work are Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm with an hour for lunch. There may be some flexibility for hybrid working during the school holidays
Holiday You will receive 20 days' annual leave (pro-rated in your first year, depending on when you join us) plus Bank Holidays (5.6 weeks in total). You will be required to attend INSET days and fulfil any duties at the end of term as discussed with the Head of Finance.
Reporting to the Head of Finance and working closely with the Director of Finance and Operations, this role assists with the smooth and successful management of the school's finances and will act as cover for the Head of Finance (when absent). The Accountant (Tax and Treasury Specialist) (the 'Accountant') is an experienced and professional accountant, part qualified, or qualified by experience, with a good knowledge of tax. Whilst you will have understanding of the full range of financial functions, including budgeting, management accounts, statutory accounts, purchase and sales leger work and financial regulation, you will also have a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations of VAT and VAT accounting and a willingness to be involved in payroll administration and charity legislation. You will have very strong attention to detail and work efficiently, co-operatively and effectively, with staff individually and as part of a team and be able to communicate professionally at all levels and be able to cover for the Head of Finance in their absence.
VAT and Tax
Accurate production, and submission to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), of monthly VAT Returns,
reconciled to the General Ledger, within HMRC timeframe rules.
Ensuring that all VAT reclaimable from HMRC is received and reconciled.
Ensuring that any VAT due to be paid to HMRC is paid on a timely basis in accordance with HMRC
rules, and correctly reconciled.
Submission of Voluntary Disclosures to HMRC, for errors above the threshold for adjustment within the
VAT Return.
Ensuring Voluntary Disclosure reclaims are received or amounts payable to HMRC are paid on a timely
basis.
Administering pro-forma invoices, ensuring valid VAT invoices are received, and duly included in the
VAT Return.
Ensuring VAT/Tax knowledge of themselves and the Head of Finance and Director of Finance and
Operations is current and up to date.
Assisting with VAT advice to the Director of Finance and Operations, where necessary through liaison
with the school's appointed VAT Consultants.
Key communication areas:
Internal
o Liaising with accountancy team members to facilitate timely and accurate processing of VAT element
of all financial transactions
o Assisting other colleagues in the school with obtaining VAT advice for projects
o Providing advice on correct way of dealing with VAT on invoices received or raised by the school
External
o Obtaining advice from external VAT advisors/auditors
o Responding to any HMRC queries which may arise in respect of VAT
Banking, invoicing and Accounts
Daily bank reconciliations
Purchase order processing
Processing and paying invoices, staff expense claims and Barclaycard transactions
Maintaining the purchase ledger and supplier statement reconciliations
Placing ad-hoc Amazon orders and credit card purchases
Petty Cash
Processing termly parent invoices promptly and timely
Assisting with parent queries and collecting outstanding payments
Month end and financial processes
Prepare historic cashflow statement
Maintain the fixed asset register
Preparation of budget reports
Assisting with financial year end procedures
School Acting as support to Head of Finance, have a working knowledge of the procedures to provide cover in the Head of Finance's absence:
Budgets, Cashflow, Accounts and Invoicing
Preparation and analysis of the monthly cashflow including preparation of cashflow forecasts for future
years
Monitoring of financial performance through monthly management accounts and additional analysis and
reporting thereon
Prepare month end journals, accruals, prepayment schedules and balance sheet reconciliations
Prepare Trial Balance ("TB")
Review of bank reconciliation to TB
Preparation of monthly management accounts using the MIS to include Profit and Loss, Cashflow and Balance Sheet reports
Review and approval of purchase ledger transactions
Review and authorise supplier payments and staff expenses reimbursements
Preparing termly invoices for parents and being responsible for the prompt collection of fees
Review of budget reports and discussion with budget holders
Prepare, lead and review teachers annual development plans
Statutory returns and financial reporting
Complete statutory returns
Help facilitate the financial audit (HaysMac prepare Financial Statements)
Preparation of financial models to support strategic planning and operational review
Assisting with Financial planning, including the preparation of short- and long-term budgets and forecasts
Establish and analyse KPI's and other statistical data including the use of sector benchmarking data
Raising invoices for other fees and lets and maintaining and monitoring the sales ledger and parents queries
Payroll
Submit monthly payroll changes to Payroll Management
Co-ordinate with pension providers (inc APTIS)
General
Filing of finance paperwork and archiving
Stationery requests and re-ordering
Assisting teachers with trip costing
Supporting the Director of Finance & Operations with day-to-day finance procedures
Assisting colleagues with any administration or finance queries
Other
The above is only an outline of the tasks and responsibilities of the role. You will carry out any other duties
as may be reasonably required by your line manager. The and person specification may be
reviewed on an on-going basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and school. This job
description and accompanying documentation do not form part of the employment contract.