Deputy Director of Finance

Thank you for your interest in the post of Deputy Director of Finance at Haberdashers Academy Trust South. 

The Deputy Director of Finance leads the centralised Trust finance function, with team members based both in the Central Office and in our schools, delivering an effective finance service across the Trust, and ensuring a robust system of internal financial controls. The role demands an inspirational leader who supports, develops and encourages members of the team to be their best.​

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The role requires a technically strong financial accountant who also has a broader clear, strategic understanding of how an effective finance function interacts with all the different areas of the Trust to support and enable delivery of the Trust’s vision and strategy.​

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Due to the nature of the role, work hours may vary and will sometimes include early evenings due to meetings or events, therefore an ability to work flexibly is needed. Although the Central Trust Team is based at the Trust Office in New Cross Gate, Lewisham, there will be some travel to all Trust schools, and remote working is possible.

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Key responsibilities​

Team management​

• Manage 8 direct reports including 5 finance officers, financial accountant, systems accountant and the payroll and pensions manager. ​
• Organise and lead regular training for finance team, develop and support the team with further relevant training and qualifications​
• Review and support staff development and following the relevant formal procedures such as probation reviews, one to ones and annual performance appraisals​
• Provide training and support on finance and payroll matters, for school Business Managers and Principals ​
• Provide additional ad-hoc support to schools operating without a Business Manager, including reviewing payment runs, supporting with payroll processes and day-to-day financial support, as needed. ​

Statutory & regulatory accounting​

• Manage the preparation of the Financial Statements and the subsequent audit process through to satisfactory completion of the annual audit​
• Be the lead for all audit work and liaise with internal and external auditors and staff on all relevant matters. Agree the planning documents prior to the commencement of scrutiny.​
• Oversee preparation of monthly VAT returns and submissions of regulatory returns required by the ESFA​
• Drive compliance with internal controls, to include identifying, enhancing and implementing internal control improvements​
• Remain fully appraised of all financial rules and regulations that govern us, actively monitor ESFA and DfE guidance and initiatives to ensure the Trust remains compliant with regulation and reporting requirements​

Systems​

• Oversee the smooth operations and maintenance of the Trust accounting (IRIS financials), purchase ordering (IRIS purchasing), payroll system (Entrust) and parental payment system (ParentPay). ​
• Lead procurement, mobilisation, implementation and transition to new finance related systems, as required for business needs ​
• Ensure all other systems such as online banking, payment runs workflows and other governance arrangements are up to date​

Accounts payable and cash management​

• Oversee team of 5 finance officers, responsible for day-to-day AP administration​
• Oversee weekly payment run processes for all schools​
• Manage the daily cash balances to meet commitments whilst maximising the interest earned ​

Payroll​

• Oversee monthly end-to-end payroll process for the Trust supporting the Payroll Manager​
• Ensure all payroll tasks, set up and reporting are carried out in a timely manner and all necessary reconciliations are done​
• Prepare and post payroll journals to finance system on a monthly basis​
• Ensure all staff changes are formally approved as per internal controls​
• Manage relationship with payroll bureau ensuring service and system is meeting business needs

Committees​

• Support the Senior Director of Finance (SDoF) with the preparation of all relevant papers, documentation and analysis for the Board, Finance Committee, Audit & Risk Committee and any other relevant Local Governing Bodies​
• Attend and present at all Audit & Risk Committee and Finance Committee meetings​
• Deputise for the SDoF at agreed times during the academic year as necessary​
• Manage the policies tracker for all statutory policies requiring their approval.​

Other accounting & control duties​

• Ensure all controls across the Trust are in place and secure​
• Ensure key balance sheet accounts are reconciled and follow up any review points from these reconciliations​
• Oversight of the school debtors ensuring that an accurate listing of debtors is maintained and that problem debts are dealt with accordingly​
• Lead on all accounting activities for the trading subsidiary and liaise with the schools to ensure that all records and invoices are accurate​
• Work with the Head of Capital Works and Finance Business Partners to ensure all capital projects are managed and correctly accounted for and that funds are correctly identified at inception​
• Ensure financial policies and procedures remain fit for purpose as the Trust grows by monitoring, reviewing and developing them as necessary.​
• Work with the SDoF to complete the financial due diligence ahead of any new school joining the Trust. ​

Additional Responsibilities​

• Model the Trust’s values and work in accordance with health and safety, equal opportunities and environmental policies.​
• Actively promote the aims and ethos of the Trust including equality, diversity and inclusion.​
• Actively manage own professional development ​
• Be aware of an assume the appropriate level of responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and to report any concerns in accordance with the safeguarding policies.​
• Undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post. ​

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No job description can be exhaustive. The duties of this post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or level of responsibility entailed