Job Description

Dear Candidate,

Barnard Castle School is a busy, vibrant, but most of all, a very happy and rewarding place to work.

The role of the Finance Manager is a varied role, and each day will be different.

The Finance Manager in integral in supporting the Bursar in her leadership and management of the school's finances. The successful candidate will be passionate about attention to detail and accuracy, and expect and develop the same from the Finance Team.

As artificial intelligence and technology change the landscape of accounting and finance practices, the successful candidate will have the energy and dynamism to lead the team through both technological and sector changes facing the organisation.

If you enjoy all aspects of financial and management accounting, take pride in attention to detail and can work to deadlines with a team environment, I encourage you to apply and find out more about a career at Barney.

I look forward to receiving your application.

With kind regards,

Suzanne Metcalf

Bursar

Please note, interested candidates will be required to complete an application form that can be found on the school website and send it along with a covering letter.

We are unable to consider applications that are not in this format.

www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk/about-us/job-vacancies/

Job Title:

Finance Manager

Reporting to:

The Bursar

Role Type:

Permanent - Full time

Start date:

August 2025 or sooner

Job Purpose:

Barnard Castle School is seeking to appoint an experienced finance professional for the role of Finance Manager.

The Finance Manager is a key member of the Bursar's management team. The postholder will lead the finance team and will be responsible for timely and accurate financial reporting of all aspects of the school's finances to the Bursar

Overall Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of the Finance Manager include (but are not limited to): -

Management of the Finance Team:

Line management of the finance team to include ongoing review and development.

Identifying training requirements for the team and to support the needs of the department.

To act as mentor and training lead for the team.

Delegate duties and responsibilities with the team as appropriate.

Ensure appropriate segregation of duties are in place within the team.

Finance Systems and Procedure:

Ensure robust finance systems and procedures are in place and adhered to.

Review and recommend any required improvements or changes to the Bursar as appropriate.

Ensure that the finance team use all software in the department at optimum levels. Identify and implement automated processes at all opportunities.

Oversee the transactional processes of the purchase ledger, fees ledger, payroll function, expense claims and weekly payments.

Management Accounts Preparation:

Preparation of monthly management accounts information, including profit and loss and balance sheet, profit and loss and cashflow forecasts and commentary.

Year-end accounts and annual audit:

Preparation of the year end accounts.

Preparation of the annual audit file to include all reconciliations and supporting papers.

Act as key contact with the external auditors and other technical advisors.

Budget Preparation and Budget Holder Support:

Preparation of the annual budget and monitoring against in year forecasting.

Preparation of the 5-year budget plan and updating as required.

Engage with budget holders in relation to annual budget planning.

Provide timely, accurate reports to support budget holders with their budget management.

Support trip organisers with the financial planning of trip budgets, income collection and costs.

Fees Ledger and Income:

Management and oversight of the school fees ledger including the processing and collection of direct debits.

Review and approval of termly fees invoices prior to distribution to parents.

Ensure timely invoicing of income from commercial school activities.

Prepare gift aid claims for submission to HMRC.

Payroll, Pensions and Statutory Returns:

Preparing the annual payroll budget assisted by the Payroll Officer.

Reviewing and approving monthly payroll for submission to BACS.

Reviewing monthly payroll to the annual payroll budget.

Preparing, with assistance from the Payroll Officer, annual salary statements for staff.

Ensuring reporting and payment compliance with HMRC and pensions regulations; monthly and annually.

Preparation of P11Ds for staff

VAT Returns:

Preparation of VAT calculations in relation to partial exemption from business / non-business use.

Co-ordinating the quarterly review for the VAT return by the VAT consultant.

Submission of the quarterly VAT return.

Purchase Ledger:

Review and approve the month end supplier payment run.

Support the Accounts Assistant with supplier correspondence as required.

Bursaries:

Working closely with the Bursar and the external Bursary Assessors to ensure the bursary application, initial award and process is a positive and supportive experience for all families.

Treasury Management:

Utilise treasury management to ensure the most efficient and secure deployment of cashflow to optimize interest on deposits.

Capital Expenditure:

Working in conjunction with the Bursar and Director of Facilities to budget for and monitor spending on capital projects.

To prepare the 5-year capital expenditure plan.

Maintain a comprehensive and accurate Fixed Asset Register.

Preparation of Reports for SMT (Senior Management Team) and Governors:

Preparing finance reports for SMT and Governors as required within the termly and annual reporting cycle.

Join the Bursar at the Finance & Estates Committee to present reports.

External Reporting:

Complete financial benchmarking and census data as required by the Headmaster and Bursar.

Expectations as a member of Barnard Castle School Staff:

To have high professional standards and so be an appropriate role model of reliability, behaviour and appearance

To contribute to marketing the School and to promote the School to prospective pupils and parents

To establish and maintain high standards of communication with pupils, staff and parents

To uphold all the policies of Barnard Castle School

To take an interest in how the School functions and to convey suggestions for improvement to the Finance Manager, Bursar and Headmaster from time to time

To subscribe to the School's ethos of inclusivity, collegiality and helpfulness.

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post and is not intended to be exhaustive. Staff may be required to carry out such other duties as the Bursar or Headmaster may reasonably require from time to time.

Duties and responsibilities may be subject to change and development, the job description will be reviewed periodically and subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Support

The Finance Manager will be appraised by the Bursar, but routine communication will be on going and professional development is encouraged.

Person Specification

Essential

A good general education

Accounting Qualification - ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Previous management experience of a finance team

Financial reporting to management

Highly skilled, technical accountant able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the role

Technical knowledge of payroll and pensions

Advanced user of all Microsoft 365 applications, in particular excel

Advanced reporting skills from excel and report integration to and from accounting software

Technical knowledge of VAT

Experience of new software implementation

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Excellent interpersonal skills across all stakeholders - pupils, staff, parents and governors

Attention to detail and accuracy of an exceptionally high standard

Highly organized and methodical with excellent time management skills

Highly motivated with the ability to motivate others

Strong people management skills

A flexible approach to the demands of the role

The ability to take initiative and problem solve, logically and with pragmatism

The ability to work to and meet deadlines

The ability to prioritise and delegate

Empathy with the ethos and aims of the independent school sector

Desirable

Previous role in finance in an educational establishment

Previous role in a finance team in a large charity

Financial reporting to board level

Advanced knowledge of SAGE software packages

Experience of Management Information Systems

Appointment Terms, Conditions and Benefits

Type:

Permanent contract.

Hours:

Full time 37.5 hours per week

Probationary Period:

6 months.

Salary:

Dependent on experience.

Working Hours:

The working hours are 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (with an hour for lunch). The post holder is expected to work flexibly as required, to meet reporting deadlines.

Notice:

During the probationary period by School and Employee is one week in writing. Post probationary is 1 month.

Absence:

Entitlement to Statutory Sick pay (SSP) only during first year. School sick pay as detailed in contract will apply in 2nd and later years.

Paid holidays:

25 days holiday plus bank holidays.

The holiday year runs 1st September to 31st August.

Pension:

In accordance with current pension legislation, Operational Staff are automatically enrolled in The Pensions Trust Flexible Retirement Plan scheme unless they choose to opt out. More information is available on request.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 40,000.00-50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Canteen Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount Free flu jabs Free parking Gym membership On-site gym On-site parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 30/06/2025