Financial controller

Job Title: Financial Controller

Reports to: Chief Finance and Operations Officer

Liaison with: CEO, CFOO, Trust Board members, Senior Leadership Team, DSAT Services Finance Team, DSAT Services employees, Hub Business Managers and Head Teachers within our Academies and Key suppliers including audit firms and finance software companies.

Main Job Purpose:

To provide leadership, professional management, and control of the financial function of the Trust as a senior member of the DSAT Services team. The post holder will have direct line management responsibility for the staff in the Finance Team. The post holder will ensure proper control and planning of finances as a whole and to operate within the terms of the DSAT's scheme of financial delegation to them and must build strong and effective professional, supportive relationships across the Trust with school-based colleagues where they have no direct line management responsibility.

Main Duties

The Financial Controller is directly and, through leadership of the Finance teams, responsible and accountable for:
Management of a complex finance function, prioritising conflicting and often diverse objectives;
Ensuring high standards of probity in the management of public funds and compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook and Internal Control Procedures;
Leading preparation and co-ordination of the Trust's budgeting and financial forecasting activities and
producing timely and accurate reporting against those plans for the CFOO;
Ensuring that DSAT budget holders and others receive regular, timely and accurate budget monitoring information;
Ensuring that all finance staff across the Trust (including those who are school based) are well supported, trained and motivated to deliver a high-quality finance service;
Working with the CFOO to ensure the Trust-wide finance function is properly resourced, in terms of people, knowledge, systems and procedures to ensure compliance with all appropriate regulatory, statutory, and fiscal requirements;
Developing and maintaining financial regulations and procedures to ensure effective financial control and good practice financial management;
Maintaining ethical and financial standards commensurate with the Trust's charitable status.

Strategic Leadership Role

As a member of the Trust Central Team, the post holder will:
Contribute to the strategic direction of the Trust;
Ensure the Trust makes the best possible use of resources through effective financial planning;
Prepare the Trust's annual and medium term consolidated financial plans, in consultation with the CFOO and others, considering performance improvement objectives, future funding projections, and other potential events and activities;
Provide clear information, advice and recommendations to the CFOO regarding financial performance and the financial implications of operational decisions;
Ensure that educational outcomes for the Trust are supported by effective financial management;

Liaise with and support Executive Team and Headteachers with budgeting and monitoring advice, being unafraid to challenge where appropriate;
Participate and represent the Trust in external events and bodies so that it is alert to new trends and is familiar with current financial best practice;
Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong, supportive working relationships with internal and external parties, including a wide range of academy;
Monitor and evaluate progress against stated financial objectives and targets in the Trust's plans, initiating
and taking any additional action as agreed.

Financial Management and Compliance

Lead on the preparation of year end accounts and external audit, contributing to the preparation of statutory financial statements and annual returns as required by law;
Prepare estimates and financial / annual returns as required by funding bodies, government departments, and Companies House;
Prepare annual budgets, forecasts, and three-year financial plans for review by the Executive Leadership Team and Resources Committee;
Prepare monthly management accounts, and other financial reports;
Co-ordinate the provision of financial support, guidance and information to staff across the Trust, including Headteachers, including supporting in the financial modelling of longer-term development plans and Trust growth;
Ensure that the Trust appropriately monitors and accounts for capital expenditure, including that funded by School Condition Allocation;
Plan and actively monitor the cash flow of the Trust, setting and implementing creditor and debtor policies and procedures;
Develop and maintain appropriate financial regulations and work with schools to ensure compliance and the effective operation of all financial controls;
Contribute to the development of funding bids to external bodies to maximise the resources for the Trust, ensuring that any funds received from successful bids are spent appropriately and within timescales;
Maintain grant and restricted fund accounts in compliance with grant conditions, academy accounting and trust law requirements;
Manage the Trust's bank accounts and working relationship with the Trust's bank;
Ensure that the Trust's payroll operates effectively in conjunction with the payroll service provider;
Manage the Trust's tax affairs and the submission of VAT and other tax returns and ensure that tax
obligations are discharged correctly and effectively.

Systems

Ensure that the Trust's financial systems are fit for purpose, leading on system development and replacement, liaising with external suppliers as appropriate;
Provide system expertise and seek opportunities for integrating, aligning and improving processes.

Training and Management of Staff

Provide leadership, support, and performance management for staff in the Finance team, responding sensitively to a wide range of interpersonal demands;
Ensure that Trust staff are appropriately trained and developed, including ensuring that an on-line library of training materials is available and updated regularly;
Ensure that high standards of professional behaviour, performance and customer care are achieved.

Other duties and accountabilities

Keep up to date with legislation and guidance from a range of sources, and advise the Chief Operating Officer of any material changes and any actions required;
Being aware of and complying with policies and procedures relating to child protection, Health & Safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to the CFOO;
Ensuring compliance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equalities Policies and taking an active role in
promoting equality and diversity;
The postholder will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level or nature that is not specified in this job description.

Working environment

It is expected that the jobholder will be based at the Trust's Head Office at the Diocesan Education Centre in Wilton but there will, from time to time, be opportunities for home working for specific assignments as agreed with the CFOO. There is an expectation that you attend DSAT Team Days three times per year at various schools across the Diocese.

To fully comply with the Trust's safeguarding policy.

This job description is not exhaustive and will be subject to periodic review. It may be amended to meet the changing needs of the business. The post-holder will be expected to participate in this process, and we would aim to reach agreement on any changes.