Finance Operations Manager

We are delighted to be partnering exclusively with The Schools of King Edwards VI in Birmingham to recruit a Finance Operations Manager. The role is paying £40,000 - £45,000 + 28 days annual leave + 4 concessionary days + public holidays + hybrid working, and many other attractive benefits.

The Schools of King Edwards VI in Birmingham is a progressive charitable organisation which has supported excellence in education across the City since 1552. Their schools are diverse in nature but have a common purpose and commitment to achieving their mission of "making Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK".

The Academy Trust currently consists of twelve schools, six selective, and six non-selective academies. Their recent expansion into a wider diversity of local communities is enabling them to accelerate their strategies for improving the life chances of young people in Birmingham, whatever their background.

The King Edward VI Academy Trust Birmingham was established in 2017 and is made up of the academies outlined above. The academies receive central support services including Finance, from the Foundation, with several staff being seconded from the Foundation to deliver support services to the Academy Trust and the academies themselves.

Their highly focused five-year strategy aims to build on existing strengths and heritage and deliver an ambitious growth strategy which aims to bring in further academies over the next few years.

The Finance Operations Manager will lead the delivery of the Academy Trust financial accounting processes and reporting to ensure compliance with internal and external reporting and regulatory requirements.

As part of this role the post holder will work closely with the Head of Finance, Finance Managers and School Finance Officers.

• Lead on the all the transactional services for the Academy Trust, ensuring clear policies, processes and controls are followed and adhered to.
• Responsibility for the sales, purchase and general ledgers for the Trust.
• Dealing with Audit enquiries relating to purchase and sales ledger.
• Provide support to the Academy Trust Head of Finance to ensure that relevant and accurate financial information and advice is provided on a timely basis and in line with agreed reporting timescales to internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversight of the accounting processes for the Academy Trust balance sheet including bank and other balance sheet reconciliations.
• Quarterly production of the Academy Trust VAT returns and act as a key point of contact for queries and relationship with HMRC.
• Lead on gift aid claims to HMRC.
• Manage the maintenance, and operation of the Trust's finance systems, IRIS (PS) Financials and IMP Software.
• Support with system improvement projects, including all systems in use by the Academy Trust Finance Team.
• Assisting the Academy Trust Head of Finance in the preparation and submission of the statutory financial statements.
• Ensure school-based Finance Officers follow Trust policies and processes. This will include attending and reporting to the termly finance meetings with finance staff of the Foundation Office and Schools.
• Bringing to the attention of the Head of Finance any relevant matters.
• Actively seek out and drive a process of continuous improvement within the Finance team and across the wider Academy Trust and take responsibility for the implementation of consistent and effective financial processes and controls.
• Line management of Purchase Ledger Supervisor and support for the wider Purchase Ledger team.
• Keeping up to date with ESFA guidance and procedures and attending any relevant courses as necessary.

The post holder will be required to attend meetings and to travel off-site and will be required to attend some evening meetings. The successful candidate will be required to fulfil an enhanced DBS check.

Finance Operations Manager:

• AAT Qualified (or qualified by experience).
• At least 3 years of experience working in a finance office environment or similar role.
• Experience of using computerised accounting packages for both posting of transactions and the export of reports (experience of using PS Financials would be a significant advantage).
• Competent in using Microsoft office applications (Word) with highly developed Excel skills.
• Ability to support the customer in a positive, professional and proactive manner and adopting a "can do attitude".
• Experience of writing high quality financial reports.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Strong numeracy, analytical and accounting skills.
• Positive, enthusiastic, professional and able to work with integrity.
• Ability to work on your own using own initiative and as part of a small team with a flexible approach.
• Previous people management experience is desirable but no essential.
• Ability to recognise when colleagues at the Office or School need support and take a proactive approach to support their needs.
• Good understanding of the business needs of the Schools with a keen interest in working within an educational / charity environment.
• Must have own transport.
• £40,000 - £45,000 per annum.
• 35 hour working week.
• 28 days' holiday per year, plus 8 bank holidays and 4 concessionary days.
• Flexible working hours.
• Access to training courses and funding towards role-related professional qualifications for eligible employees.
• Payment of professional fees for eligible employees.
• Free lunch, tea, coffee, and other refreshments when attending the office.
• Free on-site parking.
• Cycle to work scheme, for eligible employees.
• Discounted and free tickets to School productions, concerts, and events at the Ruddock Performing Arts Centre.
• Opportunity to join Choral Society, a mixed choir involving employees and pupils.
• Free access to gym, pool, and yoga sessions.
• Free access to an Employee Assistance Programme offering free, 24-hour confidential assistance.
• Long service award, for eligible employees.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for eligible employees (for example cycle to work).
• Access to Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund (BHSF) for cashback on health-related purchases.
• Free annual flu vaccinations.
• Corporate Eyecare vouchers.
• Membership of a regulated pension scheme.
• Death in service benefit: lump sum equal to twice basic salary at the time of death and a spouse's.
• UAC discounted summer camps for 4-14-year olds.

EA First Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency for this permanent vacancy.