Finance Manager - VAT & New Business Integration

Working within the central finance team, the Accountant will support a number of areas including:

• Supporting the implementation of VAT accounting across the group, to include delivering support and guidance to finance staff, reviewing transactions, advising on treatment and producing returns.
• Supporting with the integration of new business into the group, to include leading on reconciling take on balances, implementation of new systems and migration of data, ensuring group policies and procedures are adopted and adhered to.
• Act as Finance Manager for schools within the group, with ownership of termly billing process, overview of transaction processing and responsible for reporting into the group consolidation.

Responsible to:

• Finance Director
• Head of Financial Operations

Hours, Salary & Benefits:

Hours: Based at both the group’s Support Office in Corsham, Wiltshire, and Westonbirt School, Gloucestershire, this is a full-time, year-round role on a 12 month fixed term contract. Applicants looking for a part-time role may be considered. Please clearly state on your application form if you are applying for the role on a part-time basis.

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 pa dependent on experience

Benefits:

• 5% employer pension
• EV scheme with Octopus
• Cycle to work scheme and shopping discounts
• Means tested staff discount
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays per annum
• Access to the group's counselling scheme
• Access to fully funded apprenticeships, up to L7
• Discretionary Christmas stand down
• Flexible working patterns, with remote/hybrid working available

Management:

• To deputise for the Head of Financial Operations in her absence.
• ­ To manage the finance assistants and ensure that they follow the finance procedures and complete the tasks required on a timely basis.
• ­ To manage the processing and reporting of VAT across the group

VAT Lead:

Working with the Finance Director, support the group to manage the introduction of VAT on school fees. To include;

• Support the process of group registration.
• Oversee the setup of finance systems to ensure efficient processes and support with user training.
• Oversee transaction processing to ensure accuracy of records and correct treatment.
• Monitor and act on changes to the legislation and expert advice.
• Review and advise on the basis of restrictions on recovery.
• Identify opportunities to improve process and / or enhance recovery of VAT.
• Manage submission of timely VAT returns for the group.

New Acquisition Support:

Support the Head of Financial Operations with the integration of new acquisitions into the group.

• Support the implementation of new processes and systems, to include testing, data cleansing, data migration and training.
• Manage the process of reconciling take on balances and reconciliations to final working capital movements.
• Work with finance staff to ensure early adoption of finance processes.

School Finance Manager

To assist the Head of Finance operations and group Finance Managers with school financial management which includes:

Sales Ledger:

• To oversee that the billing timetable and processes are adhered to for allocated schools.
• Prepare/review fee illustrations and relevant correspondence prior to communication with prospective parents.
• Oversee confirmation of all eligibility funding codes and ensure parents are sent timely communication regarding codes close to eligibility end date.
• Review debtor balances on a regular basis and ensure that appropriate action is in place to collect overdue fees.

Purchase Ledger:

• Oversee that the purchase order procedure is being followed.
• Review payment runs and authorise in line with delegated authorities.
• Oversee all purchase ledger postings to ensure they are made to the correct nominal codes and these are consistent across the group.

Nominal Ledger:

• Review the daily bank reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly management accounts including comparative data explanation of variances.
• Produce monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare and process journals as required to ensure the management accounts properly. reflect the trading position of The Group.
• Oversee the finances of development projects if relevant.

Other:

Support the Head of Financial Operations and Finance Director with ad hoc analysis and to make changes to working methods to reflect legislative and other changes.

Person Sepcification:

The successful candidate will have the following qualities:

• Honesty and integrity
• Ambition, energy, enthusiasm and commitment
• A positive can-do attitude and willingness to be hands on
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build relationships
• A Desire to achieve the very highest standards in everything they do

The successful candidate will have the following skills and experience:

Essential

• A qualified accountant
• Experience and knowledge of VAT, including partial exemptions
• An ability to work under pressure, achieving a high level of accuracy and with an eye for detail
• Excellent time-management and task-management skills
• A good knowledge of excel and experience of working with finance systems
• Proven experience of working both independently and as part of a team

Desirable:

• Experience of implementing finance systems including data cleansing and migration
• Understanding of the Capital Goods Scheme

Full details can be found in the job description.