Principal Finance Officer Schools

The Methodist Church in Britain; Bradford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Bradford Council's Education and Schools Finance team is seeking a Principal Finance Officer to drive statutory school finance work and budget monitoring for maintained schools.

The role focuses on year-end closedown, DSG funding, and presenting to Bradford Schools' Forum, with responsibility for managing senior finance officers and delivering high-quality customer service. Interviews are conducted in person.

Qualifications

• Professional finance qualification or degree.
• Experience of working in a senior finance role.
• Interviews are held in person.

Responsibilities

• Ensure maintained schools follow correct accounting procedures and policies.
• Advise schools in line with Council and Department for Education policies.
• Manage statutory school finance processes, including year-end closedown and Consistent Financial Reporting, meeting deadlines for statutory returns.
• Oversee school bank accounts and SAP ledger reconciliation, including closing accounts when maintained schools convert to academy status.
• Deliver designated elements of the annual DSG funding scheme for schools and early years, modelling complex data and consulting on proposals.
• Present DSG formula funding and other school finance matters to audiences including Bradford Schools' Forum.
• Analyse income and expenditure monitoring reports from maintained schools and take risk-based follow-up action.
• Ensure schools adhere to protocols for deficit and excess surplus balances.
• Take part in training for governors, business managers and headteachers.
• Build and maintain working relationships with school finance managers, including through the Business Manager Forum.
• Manage and develop designated Senior Finance Officers.
• Lead the team's delivery of excellent customer service.

Skills

Excellent IT skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Time management skills

Attention to detail

Education

Professional finance qualification or degree

Job description

This Principal Finance Officer post sits in Bradford Council's School Funding Team within Education and Schools Finance. The role centres on statutory school finance work, including year-end closedown, Dedicated Schools Grant funding and monitoring of maintained school budgets. It is distinct for a small team, the management of senior finance officers and presenting to Bradford Schools' Forum. A professional finance qualification or degree and senior finance experience are needed, and interviews are held in person.

What the job involves

• Ensure maintained schools follow correct accounting procedures and policies
• Advise schools in line with Council and Department for Education policies
• Manage statutory school finance processes, including year-end closedown and Consistent Financial Reporting, meeting deadlines for statutory returns
• Oversee school bank accounts and SAP ledger reconciliation, including closing accounts when maintained schools convert to academy status
• Deliver designated elements of the annual DSG funding scheme for schools and early years, modelling complex data and consulting on proposals
• Present DSG formula funding and other school finance matters to audiences including Bradford Schools' Forum
• Analyse income and expenditure monitoring reports from maintained schools and take risk-based follow-up action
• Ensure schools adhere to protocols for deficit and excess surplus balances
• Take part in training for governors, business managers and headteachers
• Build and maintain working relationships with school finance managers, including through the Business Manager Forum
• Manage and develop designated Senior Finance Officers
• Lead the team's delivery of excellent customer service

What’s required

Qualifications

• Professional finance qualification or degree

Experience

• Experience of working in a senior finance role

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent IT skills
• Proven analytical skills
• Proven problem-solving skills
• Proven time management skills
• Attention to detail

Other

• Inspires confidence
• Thrives in a busy, friendly team

Nice to have

• Experience of an education-based finance role in a school, academy or local authority