Job Description

Job Reference #

EDV/2025/SHS/06949

Location

Eastbury Road, Northwood, Hertfordshire, HA6 3AS

Contract Type

Permanent

Contract Term

Full-Time

Salary

To be discussed at interview

Closing Date

11:59pm, 7th Jul 2025

Start Date

Negotiable

Positions Available

1

THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT

The Finance Team is responsible for ensuring the smooth financial operation of the school, compliance with financial regulations and providing information and insight to stakeholders.


This includes the long-term budgeting and forecasting of the school, financial risk management and regular activities such as invoicing school fees, accounts payable, and compliance with VAT requirements. The team interacts with stakeholders including Governors, parents, suppliers and staff in particular the School's Senior Management Team


The Accounts Department consists of the Director of Finance, an Accountant and 3 other accounting staff who manage the purchase/fee ledgers and accounts of the trading subsidiary company - St Helen's Enterprises.

CORE PURPOSE

Oversight of the School's financial operations and financial services.

Strategy development: investments, budgets, plans, forecasts, cash-flow management, debtor management and financial risk management.

Regulatory Compliance e.g. Charity Commission, audit, HMRC, Teachers Pensions' Scheme, all financial statutory reporting.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership

Appointment of suitably experienced and qualified staff Regularly review the performance of team members through individual meetings and manage capability issues Lead the appraisal process for all members of the Finance Team Manage the induction, training and ongoing development of the finance team ensuring opportunities for progression and succession planning Hold regular department meetings and keep staff informed of department objectives and school wide news and development Manage the allocation of workload across the team

Strategy Development

Contribute to the strategic financial planning and development of the school and its subsidiary trading company Provide timely financial input into the short, medium, and long-term objectives of the school Provide strategic input into financial investment decisions Support the Head implementing strategic objectives Undertake financial modelling and analysis as required Work with the Director of IT to ensure appropriate IT systems are in place to support the processes in the finance department and payroll ensuring that systems are integrated as necessary

Reporting

Report on the termly management accounts to Governors and the Head Preparation and delivery of ad hoc financial reports Provide financial reports to the Board of Governors in advance of each scheduled meeting. Develop a dashboard to report on key performance indicators, identifying trends and providing such analysis as required by the Head and Governors. Produce any other management information as requested by the Head

Financial Operations

Ensure annual School and Enterprise departmental budgets and forecasts are prepared, and budget holders are held to account for variances to spend Ensure monthly management accounts for the School and Enterprises its subsidiary trading company are prepared with balance sheet reconciliations. Produce monthly financial management reports with analysis and explanation of budget variances, forecasts, and action plans. Ensure payroll journals are posted and work collaboratively with the HR Department to ensure the submission of accurate monthly payroll Provision of key information such as budget performance, cash flow forecasts, debt, bursary management and capital spend. Treasury management. Month end close activities (e.g. accruals and journals). Work with the Bursary team to review and make recommendations on bursary applications. Oversee debt management and approval of payment plans including parent liaison Prepare all papers for the School's Governor meetings, including dashboards, summary reports and analysis on financial performance with illustrations Ensure all information is provided to the external auditors Prepare and file VAT return and other statutory submissions.

Other Duties

Ensure compliance with GDPR in matters relating to the Finance Department Provide finance team support for school events e.g. Christmas Fayre Attend meetings and be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team Follow responsibilities as defined in the Health & Safety Policy Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people with whom s/he comes into contact and adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. Support and promote the school's ethos, strategic plans and objectives Any other duties that may from time to time be required by the Head or Board of Governors.

THE PERSON

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, experience and skills:

Recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA). Qualified to degree level Evidence of continuing relevant professional and personal development. Significant post qualification experience and professional knowledge acquired through experience A track record of demonstrable leadership of a Finance team, including influencing and motivating others to create positive relationships at all levels and to achieve improvement and transformational change. Experience of working across multi-disciplinary functions. Comprehensive understanding of budgeting, cash flow forecasts, VAT compliance and returns Evidence of strategic development and associated policy development and implementation. Implementation and development of financial systems. Evidence of executing operational strategic plans to meet board performance targets. Undertaking investment appraisals and project due diligence.

We are looking for individuals with the following personal qualities:

Attention to detail, quality output and excellent organisational skills Reliable, honest and trustworthy Able to plan and prioritise large and varied workload to meet deadlines and deal effectively with conflicting priorities Self-motivated, innovative, proactive, flexible and adaptable Strong team player with well-developed communication and relationship skills Calm under pressure Able to solve problems

APPLICATION PROCESS

Closing date:

Midnight on Monday 7th July 2025

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early.




Due to the volume of applicants, we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion.

THE

SELECTION

PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school where they will be interviewed by the Head and members of our Governing Body. There will also be the opportunity to meet our Business Operations Director and have a tour of the school.




St Helen's school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2024 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.

####

Contact Details

Justine Cox or Callum Halpin (HR Team)

01923843233

recruitment@sthelens.london