About the role
The Assistant Schools Finance Business Partner is a key role within our Management Accounting Team, focusing primarily on services funded by the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), with the opportunity to support management accountants across other areas. Working as part of a collaborative and supportive team, you will assist the Finance Business Partner and take the lead on various aspects of our Schools Finance functions.
Key Responsibilities:
* Support the Finance Business Partner in the year-end close down process with schools, ensuring all tasks are completed within agreed timeframes.
* Complete statutory grant returns, reporting, and other tasks to ensure AfC complies with all relevant rules and regulations.
* Administer and reconcile school grants, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
* Calculate and process top-up funding payments to schools to support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
* Calculate and administer Early Years Funding Formula payments to nursery providers.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in school finance while contributing to key processes that support the effective delivery of educational services.
About you
In addition to the above responsibilities, the ideal candidate will have the following experience and skills:
* Experience of year-end close down: Proven track record in managing the year-end close-down process with schools, ensuring all necessary tasks are completed within agreed timeframes.
* Experience with statutory returns: Solid experience in completing statutory returns, reporting, and undertaking tasks to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
* Strong organisational skills: Excellent time management, problem-solving, and creative thinking abilities, with the capability to manage competing demands and prioritise workloads effectively.
* Proficiency in ICT and digital solutions: Ability to use a range of ICT and digital tools, including financial modelling software, to support work efficiently.
* Support in developing new metrics: Assisting Finance Business Partners in developing new reporting metrics to ensure that operational managers have access to relevant and up-to-date data aligned with the organisation's needs.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
* 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract.)
* Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
* Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
* Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
* A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
* A range of staff benefits and discounts
* An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children click here. For our social work offer click here.
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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