Finance Business Partner

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the Why Work For Us page.

As Finance Business Partner at three or four academies (across primary and secondary), your monthly activities will include:

• Providing monthly financial reporting and advice to senior management and budget holders, including a staff forecast report
• Providing financial information, context, benchmarking and analysis to support good decision making
• Analysing and explaining reporting, data and variances, and contributing to management reporting
• Preparing Annual Budget and 3-year financial forecast preparation and monitoring
• Preparing Monthly balance sheet, control accounts and cash flow management
• Review and authorisation of Academy Bacs runs along with the Principal
• Review of monthly credit card and petty cash reconciliations
• Review of aged debtors and creditor reports and support finance officers in clearing balances
• Reviewing the payroll reports and highlighting significant variations to budget to the Principal
• Assisting with the Teachers’ Pension reconciliations, annual reporting and audit
• Assisting with the financial risk to be captured in the Academy’s risk register if needed
• Providing information for internal and external audits, support academies through this process
• Up to 1 day per week academy visit, day to be agreed with the Academy
• Ensuring all ESFA/ LA financial claims are made on behalf of the Academy
• Working with Academy SENCO to ensure all the required funding is duly claimed including LAC funding
• Working with Academy Budget holders to ensure reporting forecasts are accurate
• Assisting with Finance Officer recruitment and support, and providing any necessary training
• Termly checks on:
  
  • Academy contract register
  • Verification checks on fixed assets
  • Review FSM assessments
• Reporting on financial performance at termly Committee meetings.
• Supporting with costing analysis and budgetary sign-off needed for new contract negotiation
• Ensuring consistency of work and quality control procedures are overseen by Senior FBP
• Monitoring the purchase to pay process by Finance Officer and play a key role in approvals process
• Ensuring that Principals new to the Federation have a detailed and effective induction programme

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA qualification (preferred)
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Excellent interpersonal skills and gravitas to liaise with senior staff in the Academies.
• Good team player and skilled at building relationships
• Accustomed to working to tight reporting deadlines
• A "can do" attitude
• Excellent time management skills
• Good analytical skills and a positive approach to problem solving
• High level of Excel skills and good exposure to different Accounting Systems
• Ability to work flexibly in rapidly changing business
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to the achievement of the Federation’s overall vision for success at all levels
• Motivation to work with children and young people
• Ability to build & sustain professional standards, relationships & personal boundaries with young people
• Emotional maturity & resilience in dealing with challenging behaviours
• Ability to contribute towards creating a safe & protective environment
• Empathy with the aims and objectives of Harris Federation
• Willingness to continue professional development
• Commitment to maintaining high standards & expectations
• Commitment to contributing to academy life as a whole

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.

Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.

When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application. 

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