CFO & Business Manager

The Trustee's and Senior Leadership Team at HRCS are very aware of the significant
contribution that colleagues bring to the school and the importance of providing a
positive, supportive and productive working environment.

This is epitomised through our vision and values and the daily interactions between staff,
students and parents. Student conduct is exemplary and based on high expectations and
mutual respect; poor behaviour is not tolerated.

Career development and progression for those staff with leadership aspirations is
prioritised and the school has a strong track record of supporting colleagues in achieving
their career goals.

All staff are highly valued, with wellbeing represented as a standing agenda item on all
meetings, and working groups regularly meeting to review common practices and
workload considerations., To carry out the professional duties of a CFO & Business Manager as circumstances
may require and in accordance with the school's policies under the direction of the Head
Teacher.

Areas of Responsibility and Key Tasks

Financial Management

• Ensure compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook.


• Provide high quality financial advice and guidance to the Head teacher, Trustees,

and budget holders of the school.

• Maintain and monitor the budgets and present regular comprehensive management

reports to ensure efficient and effective control of income and expenditure
complying with the Academy Trust financial regulations.

• Preparation and implementation of financial forecasts, business plans, reports and

returns, etc, to ensure the strategic development of the Academy Trust, and long
term sustainability of the budget.

• Update and maintain the Academy Trust's financial procedures and standing

orders, ensuring staff comply with them and that they are compliant with the Trust's
own policies and procedures.

• Conduct reviews and evaluations of cost reduction opportunities and regularly

monitor the Academy Trust's contracts and SLAs to ensure value for money is
achieved.

• Responsible for ensuring that the finance systems reflect the latest accurate

position and for month-end close and finalisation of management accounting reports
in a timely and accurate manner.

• Responsible for control account reconciliations, funding analysis and reconciliations,

monthly budget monitoring, debtors and credit control.

• Oversee the Academy Trust's procurement processes and procedures ensuring

best value is achieved in all purchasing activity.

• Development of external relationships with appropriate contacts including auditors,

solicitors, bankers, the Education and Skills Funding Agency and statutory
organisations such as HMRC., Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Production of the annual financial statements, prepare audit files and liaise with

external auditors.

• Ensure all statutory returns required by the Education and Skills Funding Agency

are completed and submitted within agreed deadlines.

• Produce accurate financial reports to tight deadlines, including the management

accounts.

• Ensure the Academy Trust remains compliant with VAT requirements, including

managing the Academy Trust's VAT status and ensuring that VAT returns are
submitted in line with HMRC guidelines.

• Implement month end procedures and contribute to their on-going development.


• Ensure that monthly payroll journals are processed in line with month end

procedures.

• Ensure that the relevant accounting standards are appropriately applied in the

production of the monthly and annual accounts.

• Maintain the Academy Trust's fixed asset register, including additions, disposals,

transfers and depreciation charges.

• Working in conjunction with the Head teacher, maintain and develop the reporting

and analysis of integrated curriculum financial planning.

• Preparation and submission of returns to the relevant agencies.


• Oversee the work of the financial assistant, providing training when required.


Treasury Management

• Ensure that the Academy Trust has a robust cash management strategy in place

and that regular monitoring and forecasting of cash balances takes place.

• Oversee cash management systems, ensuring that internal controls covering the

handling of cash are robust.

Audit & Compliance

• Manage the internal audit contract and all work undertaken in financial areas.


• Co-ordinate the external audit team, ensuring that all work is undertaken in order to

meet Governance and statutory requirements.

• Ensure robust financial and human resource controls are in place across the

Academy Trust.

• Ensure the Academy Trust processes and procedures are compliant with current

legislation.

Marketing

• Ensure the development of a marketing and communication strategy which

promotes the school/trust and defines the brand, aims and goals.

• Develop pupil recruitment, stakeholder engagement via appropriate communication

channels and maximise income generation.

• Brand Management.


• Communications and promotions., Human Resources


• Work closely with payroll provider regarding the payroll function and hence provide

an efficient and effective payroll service. Complete robust checks of the payroll to
ensure the payroll provider has calculated the payments and deductions correctly.

• Human Resources management ensuring regulatory and legal compliance.


• Managing, supporting and developing staff to ensure delivery of the school's

strategic priorities.

• Support the leadership team in planning and designing the school staffing structure,

supporting workforce planning and Performance Management processes for
colleagues.

Commercial Activities

• Commercial activities will represent an important part of the Academy Trust's future

budget planning. The trust currently operates a non-profit bus service and
occasionally hires out the school facilities, which include, sports hall, meeting
rooms, dining hall and kitchens.

• Responsible for developing the letting business and substantially increase the

revenue.

• Submit business plans to the Head teacher and trustees.


• Oversee the operation of the commercial businesses and provide financial reports


• Explore, identify and exploit opportunities to develop income for the Trust


Leadership and Management

• Undertake, with complete discretion and in confidence, tasks as directed which may

be of a sensitive and confidential nature as required by the Head teacher and
trustees.

• Actively promote the Academy Trust and its services, and take a leading role where

necessary and appropriate.

• Supervise and manage the finance assistant, including the management of their

training, development and performance in line with the Academy Trust's
Performance Management Policy.

• Support Office Managers and other staff within the Trust to undertake financial and

administrative tasks in line with Trust policies and procedures.

• Carry out other reasonable tasks as directed by the Head teacher and trustees.


Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity and Health & Safety

• To safeguard and promote the welfare of children for whom you have responsibility

or come into contact with, to include adhering to all specified procedures.

• To carry out your duties with full regard to the Academy Trust's Equality Policy and

Race Equality Scheme.

• To comply with Health and Safety policies, organisations statements and

procedures, report any incidents/accidents/hazards and take pro-active approach to
health and safety matters in order to protect both yourself and others.

We wish to appoint a dynamic, innovative and exceptional candidate who has the
ambition and expertise to play a key part in the future success of the School. Ideally
candidates should have a recognised accounting qualification or at least 5 Years
relevant experience in management accounting.

This is an exciting post for an exceptional candidate who will hold a key responsibility
for the development and implementation of a financial strategy that ensures the schools
economic growth and future long term sustainability.

The role will focus strongly on leading and managing the strategy and operation of the
school's business functions including; Financial planning and Compliance,
Infrastructure, Procurement, Human Resources, Marketing and Income generation.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong track-record of managing strategic
and operational financial systems, be a flexible and creative thinker and is keen to work
as part of a team. Previous experience of working in an educational environment would
be preferable but not essential., 1. A relevant professional qualification in finance including eg
CIPFA, CIMA, CSBM, DSBM.
2. A degree and/or professional qualification relevant to the post
and/or equivalent learning through professional experience
3. Membership of relevant professional body
4. Computer literate with good working knowledge of ICT includ-
ing using the internet and Microsoft office suite.
Experience
1. Experience of working within a school environment
2. Experience of financial and budget management including
month/year end reporting, HR, payroll and pensions.
3. Experience of managing accounts and of developing and
maintaining strong financial controls.
4. Experience of working alongside people as part of a team
5. An understanding that the needs and safety of the children
and staff are of prime concern
6. Work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Knowledge & Skills
1. Financial reporting and management skills, and understand-
ing of working with different stakeholders to develop strong
financial understanding and empathy across an organisation
2. High ethical standards and influencing skills with the ability to
engage effectively with all staff across the school and with the
governing body
3. Entrepreneurialism and innovation, with an ability to identify
commercial opportunities to maximise income
4. Excellent analytical skills and sound judgment

5. Excellent communication and presentational skills

6. Good knowledge of the funding, regulatory and legislative en-
vironment of academies
7. Good organisational skills
8. Ability to prioritise, plan, schedule and meet deadlines and
evaluate work
9. Ability to be proactive and work on own initiative and manage
own workload, within a budget, 10. Ability to manage a small team

11. Commitment to the security and wellbeing of the school

12. A willingness to undertake as necessary training in all as-
pects of the job including health and safety

13. An understanding of committee and meetings procedures

Personal Attributes
1. Confidence and enthusiasm
2. Ability to work under own initiative
3. Ability to work as a member of a team

4. Suitable to work with children, Young People and Vulnerable
Adults
5. An understanding of equality and diversity and a commitment
to promoting them throughout the school
6. An understanding of safeguarding and its importance within a
school environment, We know that applying for a position and starting employment at a new school can be a
big step, and therefore it is very important for us that candidates have a good
understanding of our school and are able to make a judgement, for themselves, on the
excellent working environment and the support provided at HRCS.

Hadlow Rural Community School (HRCS) opened in September 2013 and offers a
unique educational opportunity to students across the Weald of Kent; located within an
idyllic 20-acre rural campus, situated in the historic village of Hadlow.

HRCS is a popular, oversubscribed School with a current roll of just under 400 students,
increasing to 500 over the next 3 years. The School relocated to a £7million new build in
2016 and has developed a strong reputation both locally and beyond for enabling its
young people to excel and flourish; providing an exciting, vibrant and dynamic experience
in academic and land based vocational studies. The school is heavily oversubscribed and
has, for the last four years, achieved one of the highest percentages of preferences for
Year 7 places, for non-selective schools, across Kent.

The success and popularity of the school has been based on our ethos of providing an
educational experience suited to our students and the local community and, whilst academic
progress is of the highest importance to us, this is equally matched by our promotion
of vocational and enrichment opportunities, ensuring the development of every child
as a whole.

Positive, productive, and supportive relationships with all stakeholders is a key element
of the school and this is further underpinned by maintaining small class sizes of 25-26
students across the school, with many Key Stage 4 option subjects averaging class sizes
of 15 students.

High expectations are promoted across every aspect of the school and all members of
HRCS are expected to be kind, caring and considerate, showing honesty and integrity
and applying 100% effort in all their endeavours, supporting our school motto of 'Effort
Achieves'.


• Working within an idyllic rural setting Headteacher & SLT open door policy


• Welcoming environment SLT Staff Wellbeing Champion


• Competitive Salary Priority within school admissions


• Enhanced M6 & UPS Payscales criteria


• Differentiated Appraisal Targets Access to school car


• Reduced Directed Time Electric Car Chargers


• Staff Loyalty days Free Parking


• Paid leave for key life events Free Duty Meals


• Benenden Health Insurance Free Tea and Coffee


• Wellbeing Weeks Sick Pay


• Comprehensive Induction Pension Contributions


• Personalised CPD Support Line


• Aspirational Leadership Support Occupational Health Support


• Funded NPQ's/Higher Level training Staff Social Events


• Access to Teacher Training Staff wellbeing & workload group


• Small Class Sizes Kent Rewards