Head of Financial Accounting

Michael Page (UK) • TRAFFIC • Surrey, Sutton, United Kingdom • 1w ago

Head of Financial Accounting- Surrey based Specialist College
ACA or ACCA qualified accountant

Overview

The Head of Financial Accounting will support key decision making, report on financial risks, and input into the implementation of a new finance system across the Trust and College. Working with the Assistant Director of Finance, they will ensure compliance with external reporting requirements, VAT, and prepare the year-end statutory accounts and other DfE returns.

Responsibilities

Ensure internal Finance Regulations are compliant and develop a system of reviews and checks to give assurance they are being followed across the trust. Recommend improvements where appropriate.
Keep up to date with changes in reporting requirements in the education sector, the Academy Trust Handbook, The Accounts Direction and FRS102. Implement these changes across the organisation.
Prepare the year-end financial statements for the College and Academy Trust. Liaise with the external auditors to deliver the year-end audit.
Manage collation of data and the preparation of statutory annual returns for review by the Assistant Director, such as the Academies Accounts Return, Budget Forecast Return, and other external reports.
Line management of 2x Senior Finance Officer posts (Purchase Ledger and Expenses) and the Finance Assistant, and all duties to induct, recruit, and support them effectively. Lead and develop these teams, developing internal reporting in these areas.
Review the ongoing implementation of the credit card and staff expenses systems, ensuring smooth running for day-to-day users is balanced with appropriate financial controls.
Review balance sheet control account reconciliations, including VAT, investments, intercompany, purchase ledger and expenses. Develop and train the Finance Assistant to prepare reconciliations. Discuss any concerns with Finance SLT.
Management of VAT compliance including monthly VAT returns, liaison with HMRC and external advisors. Seek relevant training to maintain knowledge on developments in the Education sector.
Ensure smooth process for external compliance with taxation legislation including gift aid, corporation tax, IR35.
Develop the model for cash flow forecasting and present monthly reports to the Finance SLT, identifying key benchmarks and risk areas.
Oversee online banking across the organisation, including the use of investment accounts and investment of surplus cash. Make recommendations on effective use of working capital. Act as the main point of contact for banking relationships.
To be one of the bank signatories on the Lloyds Bank accounts for the Academy Trust and College; and approve BACs and faster payments in accordance with the Finance Regulations.
Ensure related party transactions and connected persons relationships are effectively captured and reported to the DfE and external auditors, preparing reviews for the Audit & Risk Committee on a termly basis.
To establish and develop benchmarking tools to review finance operations performance.
Work with the Assistant Director of Finance to develop and test the new Finance system for smooth implementation, so that all transactions and reports can be managed effectively and efficiently.
Advise colleagues where technical advice is sought, providing expert advice and guidance, ensuring compliance, value for money and aiding the achievement of critical business objectives.
Work on ad hoc new projects in the finance team with the Assistant Director of Finance to improve efficiency across the organisation.

The Successful Applicant

ACA/ACCA qualified accountant
Experience of year end accounting
VAT and Audit experience
Balance sheet reconciliations experience
All sectors considered

What's on Offer

25 days holiday
Impressive government pension
Hybrid working
A chance to work for a truly worthwhile organisation
Friendly team

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