Director Of Finance

• Director of Finance for prestigious Surrey independent private school
• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified accountant - All sectors considered

About Our Client

The Director of Finance is responsible for the financial management of St George's Weybridge, a £30m business with over 500 staff. The post holder will fulfil a wide range of responsibilities and roles in connection with the financial strategy, accounting and general financial management of the School. The post is the most senior finance professional on the staff and reports directly to the Bursar, who is effectively the CFO/COO. As such, the Director of Finance has frequent direct contact with Governors and the Heads and attends the Governors' Finance and Risk Committee meetings.
The Director of Finance is a member of the Business Senior Management Team and leads a team of 8 staff, comprising the Management Accountant, Payroll and People Accountant, Fees Controller, Interim Project Accountant, Purchase Ledger Assistant and two Finance Assistants. A new role of Financial Accountant has been established and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence this role and appointment.

Job Description

• Formulate the financial strategy of the School alongside Governors and the Executive Leadership Team (consisting of the two Heads and the Bursar).
• Attend meetings of the Finance and Risk Committee of the Board of Governors, preparing financial reports and papers and leading on financial items tabled for discussion or decision.
• Attend and contribute to ad-hoc Governor meetings and discussions as required.
• Alongside the Bursar and the Heads, implement the School's strategic financial plans.
• Work closely with ELT to formulate operational spending plans and priorities.
• Work closely with the Director of HR on people strategies.
• Exhibit the behaviours and standards befitting a senior leader of St George's Weybridge, demonstrating and promoting the School's ethos and values.
• Lead and manage the staff in the Finance Department.
• Bring financial risks and opportunities to the attention of the Bursar and Governors.
• Conduct modelling and feasibility studies as appropriate.
• Review and implement changes to the system of financial control and reporting.
• Oversee production of monthly management information and bring appropriate matters to the attention of the Bursar, Heads and budget holders.
• Prepare papers for, attend, and contribute to the dealings of the Finance and Risk Committee.
• Prepare financial appraisals and reviews of major projects.
• Prepare long term forecasts and sensitivity analysis.
• Undertake competitor analysis and benchmarking studies.
• Retain financial awareness of external changes and development and provide recommendations and advice to the Bursar, including a thorough knowledge of relevant accounting requirements, such as GAAPs, FRSs and the Charity Commission SORP.
• Proactively investigate and promote ways of improving value for money.
• All accounting functions including nominal, purchase and fee ledgers, fixed asset register and the payroll.
• Oversee the staff and systems delivering all aspects of payroll.
• The accurate and timely production of management and financial accounts.
• The internal control environment.
• Management and control of fee collection.
• Preparation of the consolidated statutory accounts for St George's Weybridge and subsidiary companies.
• Liaising with external auditors on all matters connected with the annual audit of the School's accounts and other external accountancy advice.
• Preparing annual budgets and termly forecasts, including cash flow projections for the current and future years.
• Maintain, review and ensure compliance with the School's Financial Procedures Manual.
• Preparation of internal financial management reports, accounts and briefing papers, including monthly management accounting information to include cash flow statements and forecasts.
• Control of the treasury management function in order to ensure the most efficient and secure deployment of cash.
• Ensuring compliance with external regulators, including HMRC, the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Being responsible for accurate and timely tax returns and tax reclaims, with professional advice where necessary, preparing recommendations for mitigating potential VAT and any other tax liabilities.

The Successful Applicant

• Formal Accounting qualification and experience of working in the commercial, educational or charity sectors.
• Experience of compliance with legislation and regulations relevant to the position
• Experience of contract negotiation
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to analyse and manipulate financial data.
• Competent in the use of IT, notably MS Office applications and the ability to use modern financial software tools.
• Proven experience of managing a team within a complex organisation
• Empathy with the ethos and values of St George's Weybridge.
• Personal warmth, tenacity and a transparent collaboration style.
• A 'can-do' attitude with a sense of humour and proportion.
• A flexible approach to work, both in terms of responding to changing or unforeseen circumstances and being willing to work outside of regular hours as the need arises

What's on Offer

Hybrid working opportunity
Flexible working
Generous pension scheme
School fee child remission of 50%
Life & personal accident insurance
Free meals and parking
Employee loans
Medial support and employee assistance programme
Local retailer discounts

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.

Ref Code: MPGOJN0120246315464Z