School Accountant

• Number two to the Financial Controller
• Fantastic culture

About Our Client

Farleigh School is a highly successful, co-educational prep school of about 460 boarders and day pupils aged three to 13. It is based around a delightful Georgian House in 70 acres of beautifully maintained grounds, set within the Test Valley of Hampshire. The school passed its 6-yearly, full-formal inspection earlier this year with the highest grades in every area. We take pride in having well-established and experienced governance and leadership and consequently the school is thriving. It is a wonderful place to work.

We now wish to appoint an accountant to lead the small but strong team working in the accounts department. With the children and about 190 staff, the working environment is dynamic, vibrant, friendly and welcoming. The School Accountant is line managed by, and works closely with, the Director of Finance and Operations.

Farleigh School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant(s) must be willing to undergo appropriate Child Protection Screening, including references from past employers and an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Job Description

1. General Management responsibilities. To:

• Line manage and supervise the Accounts Assistant and Purchase Ledger Clerk and conduct their annual CPD and to set appropriate departmental and individual objectives
• Ensure that the Finance department offers a high quality and accessible service which is prompt, courteous, accurate and complete
• Be fully informed and aware of the policies, procedures and matters in hand within the school and the wider school community and adopt a supportive approach in identifying potential problems and proposing solutions
• Play an active and visible role in wider school life attending events as appropriate

2. Accounting and Finance responsibilities. To:

• Advise the DFO and senior management team on all financial matters
• Maintain the school's accounting records, fees ledger, creditors ledger, and nominal ledger in the accounting system as well as salaries and payroll accurately and up to date in accordance with agreed timetables and procedures
• Prepare monthly trial balances and financial reports, as well as termly management accounts with appropriate commentary
• Conduct and agree monthly bank and control account reconciliations and accounting for petty cash
• Oversee the allocation of fee structures and discounts to pupils, the management of disbursements and the production of bills for parents
• Monitor debtors and instigate all routine correspondence with fee debtors in accordance with the appropriate policy
• Supervise the preparation of creditor payments
• Arrange for the production and issuance of all non-fee invoices for example for lettings and monitor payment against these
• In consultation with the DFO control the treasury management function in order to ensure the most efficient and secure deployment of the school's cash and minimise related banking and interest charges
• Oversee the operation of the school's advanced fees scheme
• Assist other departments of the school in accounting, budgeting and purchasing
• Ensure that the school's relationships with third parties such as HMRC, Companies House, the Charity Commission etc. is responsive and professional
• Prepare the school accounts for audit. Including statements of Financial Activity (SOFA) and Balance Sheets in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)

3. Payroll and Pensions. To:

• Arrange for the accurate preparation and on-time payment of all salaries, wages and pension contributions, including PAYE and NI contributions
• Comply with regulations for benefits in kind
• Ensure that payroll totals are correctly posted to the general ledger
• Ensure that P60s and P11Ds are prepared and issued and that all PAYE and NIC returns are complied with
• Administer the pension schemes for teaching and non-teaching staff including maintaining records and sending periodic returns as required

4. Budgeting and Management Reporting:

• In consultation with the DFO prepare annual budgets and termly forecasts, monitoring performance and reporting budget progress to budget holders
• Prepare rolling forecasts on the basis of actual performance
• Maintain statistical info and prepare ad hoc reports as required

5. Technical Standards and Control, To:

• Keep up to date with financial development in the educational fields particularly the requirements for reporting under the Charities SORP
• Keep up to date with developments in the field of IT relevant to the school and in financial and administrative management and make recommendations to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness
• Keep the accounting and reporting systems under constant review ensuring that they are effective, clearly described and efficient
• Monitor the operation of financial controls through internal audit and introduce further controls as appropriate to safeguard the school's funds and other assets

The Successful Applicant

Ideal Profile:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA Qualified or Qualified By Experience
• Relationship building skills
• Strong accounting knowledge
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment
• Hands on accountant
• Ability to deal with stakeholders inside and outside finance
• Proven track record in financial management

What's on Offer

• Competitive basic salary
• School Admission discounts
• Great Pension
• Other company benefits

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: MPFEJN0520225604755Z