Trust Finance Officer

CAT was formed in 2019 out of the success of its founding school Carlton Bolling. Since then, the Trust has experienced rapid growth, currently comprising nine schools (three secondary, three primary, three special). Our growth plan is different, in that we don’t have ambitions to become a large trust. Instead, we will limit growth to around 10-12 schools, instead focussing on improving outcomes across the trust in accordance with our mission ‘Excellence for All’ and ambition to make all schools ‘Outstanding’. This commitment to high standards can be seen through the Ofsted ratings of our schools (all Good’ with two ‘Outstanding’) and the huge array of awards at local, regional, and national level.

We recognise the crucial importance of staff to our success, so do all we can to protect their wellbeing and enable them to reach their full potential. This includes stripping away unnecessary meetings and administrative tasks so that they can maximise their time concentrating on what they are trained to do, best at, and want to do most. This facilitates the ‘outstanding’ outcomes we aspire to whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

The Trust also offers a comprehensive package of employee benefits through its ‘Carlton Cares’ programme, which are similar to those found in many large private sector employers. These include fully funded private health insurance (Simply Health) and Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured), in addition to salary sacrifice and employee discount schemes. Some schools also have early Friday finishing times, which are also popular amongst staff. We have very high expectations of student behaviour and conduct, which makes schools a calm, welcoming and pleasant environment.

Carlton Academy Trust is a great place to work with an exciting future. If you like what you hear and share our ambitions, we would very much like to hear from you and join us on our vision of ‘Excellence for All’.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Finance Officer to join our Finance team. This is an excellent opportunity and a key role within the central team, working under the guidance of the Finance Manager to maintain financial health, compliance and efficiency. The Finance Officer will be responsible for managing financial transactions, ensuring accurate record-keeping, and supporting financial decision-making within the Trust.

Role Overview

This role involves working as part of the Central Trust Finance team managing the financial operation of all schools alongside the CFO, DCFO and Trust Finance Managers. 

Responsibilities

·       Undertake routine processing of orders, invoices, and credit notes, petty cash transactions, direct debits, remittances, ensuring appropriate approval and paperwork is obtained.

·       Ensuring all financial transactions are correctly coded to our chart of accounts to allow accurate monitoring of income and expenditure.

·       Working alongside our Special Schools to ensure correct funding received.

·       Monitoring post and relevant email accounts, responding as appropriate where necessary to staff and suppliers.

·       Supporting Trust staff with the effective upkeep and operation of the Trust Contracts Register (including insurance policies) ensuring contracts are tendered for on a timely and efficient basis according to Trust priorities.

·       Supporting Trust staff with all procurement activities, ensuring value for money and creating savings for the Trust wherever possible.

·       Overseeing and monitoring spending against grants and other specialist funding streams, regularly updating budget holders as to levels of spending/remaining spend.

·       Complete monthly end routines and monitor cost center spend.

·       Create and monitor payments on the school/Trust online payment system.

·       Processing of monthly journals for in-house recharges (stock, reprographics, mileage, etc)

·       Accurate and effective handling of cash, including reconciliation and preparation for depositing with the bank.

·       Ensuring all administration and processing is dealt with in a prompt, timely and effective manner.

• Undertake any other duties reasonably associated with the role