Finance Manager

ACCA Careers; London Borough of Waltham Forest; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ACCA Careers is seeking a capable Finance Manager/Lead to oversee financial operations within the college, including budgeting, reporting, and compliance. The role involves managing staff, improving processes, and ensuring financial controls across the service.

The successful candidate will contribute to strategic planning, liaise with external auditors, and support safeguarding and equality objectives while deputising for the Director of Finance when required.

Responsibilities

• Undertake the full range of management responsibilities for direct reports, set objectives and conduct timely reviews.
• Lead on professional learning, design and deliver learning strategies to develop staff skills.
• Advocate good practices promoting staff wellbeing and development in the area.
• Provide guidance to the Finance team on day-to-day financial issues, bursary and free meals.
• Coordinate self-assessment and reporting for the finance area and contribute to college self-assessment.
• Support the finance service's operation and drive continuous improvement and efficiency.
• Oversee delegated budget use and ensure resources are managed effectively.
• Represent Finance in cross-college meetings and external networks, and deputise for the Director of Finance when needed.
• Participate in weekly management team meetings and act as Duty Officer when required.
• Assist in delivering the college's strategic plan and monitor financial solvency.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and annual statutory accounts as required.
• Prepare committee documents and attend required meetings.
• Produce timely plans and reports with performance measures and targets for the finance team.
• Assist in budget setting, project funding returns, and ensure documented records are in order.
• Oversee payments to suppliers and students and ensure timely revenue collection.
• Support promotion and administration of financial aid for students in liaison with college teams.
• Contribute to safeguarding, equality, and training to meet college policies.

Job description

Main Responsibilities

• Undertake the full range of management responsibilities for any direct reports; set and agree clear objectives and ensure that staff reviews are completed in a timely fashion and result in positive, compassionate interaction and follow up; lead on professional learning within the area, designing and delivering learning and development strategies to help staff identify areas where skills and experience can be expanded; and advocate for good practices that promote the wellbeing and development of staff in the area. Provide guidance and support to the Finance team in dealing with day-to-day issues, regarding Financial issues, Bursary and Free Meals. Contribute to the college’s human resources planning, and the recruitment and selection of staff according to college policies and procedures. Coordinate the production of the self-assessment report for the area, and a summary for the final college self-assessment report. Support the effective operation and continuous improvement of the finance service in line with the College’s values. Manage any delegated budget to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources. Represent the Finance department at cross college strategy and other internal and external meetings, working parties, meetings with agencies and external networks as required. Deputise for the Director of Finance as and when required. Be a fully committed member of the college’s management team, including attendance at weekly meetings and undertake responsibility for the college as Duty Officer when necessary.
• Contribute to the successful delivery of the college’s strategic plan whilst monitoring financial solvency. Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts and annual statutory accounts for the college and to feed into any accounting requirements should the College’s legal structure change in the future (e.g. Academisation).
• Prepare documents for the college’s committees and attend meetings as and when required.
• Produce timely plans and reports with performance measures and targets for the finance team. Contribute to and advise on the planning and budget-setting process. Assist in preparing accurate project funding returns on time. Ensure all financial records are accurate and up to date, including the retention of all financial documents are in line with recommended / college guidance. Ensure the fixed assets database is kept up to date and depreciation is calculated accurately. Assist in the submission of all other statutory financial returns on time. A nominated contact person for internal and external auditors in relation to financial controls, procedures, reports and returns.
• Act as nominated contact person for the college’s personal bank and respond to enquiries as and when they arise. Contribute to the regular review of current procedures and controls, re-drafting as appropriate in line with current legislation, best practice and the college’s objectives. Support, and when necessary, lead on projects to help improve use of the college’s financial systems, ensuring all processes are up to date. Ensure the college’s financial rules and regulations are adhered to by the finance team and wider college staff. Liaise with the wider college managers to improve financial awareness and ensure cost-effective and efficient college services.
• Ensure all payments to suppliers and students are made on time. Ensure all funds due to the college are received on time with accurate accounting records.
• To oversee and support the promotion and administration of financial support for students, including the application and payment process, in liaison with wider college teams.
• Contribute to the college’s operational aims and objectives as outlined in the Strategic Plan. Actively promote compassionate education. Support the aims and ethos of the college as articulated in the Mission Statement and other relevant documents. Contribute to the college’s commitment to inclusion and equality and, specifically, its ambition to be an anti-racist organisation. Adhere to and promote college policies in line with our strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity for students and in the employment of and care for staff. Maintain an up to date understanding of Safeguarding Children and undertake training as required. Maintain confidentiality and observe data protection and associated guidelines where appropriate. Comply with health and safety regulations associated with the post and employment at the College. Undertake any staff development (INSET/CPD) relevant to the needs of the post. Contribute to the college’s quality improvement framework through participation in appraisal and performance review. Understand, comply and promote college policies in own area of work, and undertake any appropriate training to assist this process. Carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and general responsibilities of the post.

Contract/Hours

This is a full time and permanent post.