What skills and experience we're looking for
The successful candidate will be responsible for the finance business partnering function within the Trust.
They will advise and support schools on financial management and maintaining a sound financial position, putting pupils at the heart of decision-making.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
General Duties
Providing high-quality and consistent financial operational advice and being the first point of contact for schools on day-to-day finance functions.
Reviewing draft management accounts and providing commentary.
Assisting schools with financial forecasting and financial planning.
Reviewing and reporting on schools’ payrolls and assisting with payroll and pension queries.
Ensure the most effective use of school resources.
Facilitating the procurement process, including securing appropriate service contracts, licenses, and insurance, within specified authority limits.
Motivating Head Teachers with income generating activities and funding bids as opportunities arise.
Assisting with completion of business cases as required to support new development plans for schools.
Confirming and uploading census figures for schools when completed by FAOs and clerical staff.
Providing school level finance reports as required.
Regulating adherence to LAAT Finance Policy.
To guide and support schools in the annual budgeting process.
Ensuring that schools are compliant with Trust financial procedures and the requirements of the ESFA.
Facilitating the implementation of new systems as appropriate.
Other
The post holder will be expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to this post.
Some travel between the schools and the Head Office may be required, as will the need to attend evening meetings from time to time. In order to meet the requirements of the role, the postholder will be expected to travel to Head Office for training and development.
The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties that may be required from time to time within the general scope of the post. Any such duties should not substantially change the general character of the post. Duties and responsibilities outside of the general scope of this grade of post will be with the consent of the postholder.
The postholder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with LAAT Equal Opportunities policies.
The postholder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the LAAT Health and Safety policies and procedures.
All employees need to be aware of the possible abuse of children and vulnerable adults and if you are concerned you need to follow the Academies’ Safeguarding Policy. In addition, employees working with children have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children during the course of their work.
What the school offers its staff
LAAT is dedicated to supporting school improvement and Christian distinctiveness, whilst maintaining each school as a special and unique place in the heart of its unique context. LAAT has been approved by the Department of Education as an academy sponsor to operate a number of academies under a single charitable company. It welcomes applications from Voluntary Controlled, Voluntary Aided and Community schools from the full spectrum of Ofsted judgements.
Since it was established LAAT has demonstrated its ability to provide excellent school improvement and back-office support to its schools, taking the majority to Ofsted Good.
Our Excellence, Exploration and Encouragement powered by Equity vision statement encapsulates the Trust we are today and the Trust we aspire to be in the future. It has meaningful resonance with the work we do and our commitment to overcoming the social inequality faced by our children and young people. We are passionate about improving the life chances of every child in our care, meeting them where they are.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.