School Finance Business Partner

Tradewind Recruitment is working with a Multi-Academy Trust in Blackburn to recruit a Finance Business Partner (FBP).

The FBP will oversee day-to-day financial operations at both strategic and operational levels. As part of the central Trust Finance team, the FBP will be the key link between the Trust and its schools, delivering financial advice and support. The role involves producing financial information, including monthly management accounts, the annual budget, and long-term forecasts, while ensuring compliance with Trust financial procedures.

Key Relationships:

The postholder will work closely with the Chief Finance Officer, Trust Finance Lead, Trust Business Lead, CEO, COO, and Headteachers to ensure smooth financial communication.

Main Accountabilities:

Financial Accounting:

• Assist in producing monthly management accounts (I&E, Balance Sheet, capital review, variance narrative) as per the Trust's timetable.

• Ensure accurate and timely posting of month-end adjustments (e.g., prepayments, accruals).

• Review accounts monthly, identifying over/underspend and addressing with Headteachers and the Trust Business Lead.

• Monitor capital project spending to ensure appropriate capitalisation and budget management.

• Present monthly accounts to the Local Governing Board and provide financial updates.

• Reforecast annual budgets monthly to capture income and expenditure changes and ensure amendments are approved.

• Manage the annual budget-setting process and 3-year forecasting, ensuring assumptions align with Trust guidelines.

• Work closely with Headteachers to ensure financial plans align with strategic objectives and budgets.

• Use financial and non-financial data to benchmark performance and improve planning.

• Provide required information to CFO for ESFA financial returns.

• Produce departmental budget updates, monitoring under/overspend, and taking necessary actions.

• Keep staffing budgets updated and reflected in the IMP system through payroll reconciliation.

• Maintain accurate records of school activities, including petty cash and pupil payments.

• Assist with year-end working papers for external and internal audits.

General:

• Work with the central transactional team to ensure the timely and accurate processing of financial activity for schools.

• Ensure activities comply with the Trust's Scheme of Financial Delegation and the ESFA's Academies Trust Handbook.

• Stay informed on changes in funding, legislation, and the education environment, keeping Headteachers updated.

• Provide support to the CFO and Trust Finance Lead as needed.

People Management:

The FBP has no direct line management responsibilities but will oversee school-based finance staff to ensure tasks comply with the Trust's Scheme of Financial Delegation. This includes:

• Safeguarding Academy cash and ensuring regular banking within insurable limits.

• Processing petty cash payments and performing weekly reconciliations.

• Recording and collecting cash for trips, dinner money, and other activities.

• Managing the school procurement card and placing orders as per the Trust's Scheme of Financial Delegation.