Financial Controller (On-site)

THE ARTS EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arts Educational School is seeking a Senior Head of Finance to lead the day-to-day activities of the finance department, support the Director of Finance and Operations, and strengthen internal controls across financial processes and procedures.

You will oversee management accounts, annual accounts under charity law, external audits, payroll and pensions, budget preparation, VAT returns, and financial reporting to governance bodies, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of the Termly Management Accounts for discussion with the Director of Finance and Operations.
• Oversee preparation of the company’s annual accounts in accordance with company and charity law.
• Make appropriate arrangements for an annual external audit and liaising with the auditors during their audit work.
• Ensure reporting meets compliant standards with statutory law and financial regulations.
• Ensuring all balance sheet control accounts are correctly reconciled and that there is a detailed audit trail at each balance sheet date.
• Prepare and maintain the Fee Schedule and reconcile to Management and Financial accounts.
• Take lead responsibility for Fee invoicing to make sure all fees are raised correctly and in a timely manner and that all in year changes are correctly implemented.
• Take lead responsibility for the validation of Bursaries and advising management as appropriate.
• Manage the payroll and approval of any monthly payroll adjustments for staff including pension contributions.
• Take lead responsibility for payroll and salary related expenses, ensuring all changes are appropriately authorised and approved.
• Actively participate in the Budget process preparing prior year information for guidance for presentation to the those charged with governance.
• Support Management with guidance and instruction on all financial queries and best practice.
• Provide management with regular actual v. budget information.
• Attend all Finance Committee meetings with the Director of Finance and Operations and to take minutes at the meeting if required.
• Attend such other meetings with management and Trustees as may be appropriate.
• Assist in the completion of the OFS return.
• Assist in the completion and reconciliation of the quarterly VAT returns.
• Meeting with the Director of Finance and Operations on a regular weekly basis to discuss financial and other related issues and to advise of possible financial problems, opportunities, or upcoming issues.
• Manage, mentor, and motivate the finance department staff.
• Reviewing financial systems and leading the implementation of new developments as appropriate.
• Any other tasks as might be reasonably requested.

Job description

The main purpose of the role is to lead and supervise the day-to-day activities of the finance department, provide support to the Director of Finance and Operations and operational management in the analysis and understanding of the management and financial accounts, and to review and improve internal financial controls and financial processes and procedures.

To apply for this role you must send your Cover Letter and CV to [e-mail].

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the preparation of the Termly Management Accounts for discussion with the Director of Finance and Operations.
• Oversee preparation of the company’s annual accounts in accordance with company and charity law.
• Make appropriate arrangements for an annual external audit and liaising with the auditors during their audit work.
• Ensure reporting meets compliant standards with statutory law and financial regulations.
• Ensuring all balance sheet control accounts are correctly reconciled and that there is a detailed audit trail at each balance sheet date.
• Prepare and maintain the Fee Schedule and reconcile to Management and Financial accounts.
• Take lead responsibility for Fee invoicing to make sure all fees are raised correctly and in a timely manner and that all in year changes are correctly implemented.
• Take lead responsibility for the validation of Bursaries and advising management as appropriate.
• Manage the payroll and approval of any monthly payroll adjustments for staff including pension contributions.
• Take lead responsibility for payroll and salary related expenses, ensuring all changes are appropriately authorised and approved.
• Actively participate in the Budget process preparing prior year information for guidance for presentation to the those charged with governance.
• Support Management with guidance and instruction on all financial queries and best practice.
• Provide management with regular actual v. budget information.
• Attend all Finance Committee meetings with the Director of Finance and Operations and to take minutes at the meeting if required.
• Attend such other meetings with management and Trustees as may be appropriate.
• Assist in the completion of the OFS return.
• Assist in the completion and reconciliation of the quarterly VAT returns.
• Meeting with the Director of Finance and Operations on a regular weekly basis to discuss financial and other related issues and to advise of possible financial problems, opportunities, or upcoming issues.
• Manage, mentor, and motivate the finance department staff.
• Reviewing financial systems and leading the implementation of new developments as appropriate.
• Any other tasks as might be reasonably requested.