Part Time School Bursar

Parayhouse School is a small but growing non- maintained special school which provides a highly specialised and individualised curriculum to children aged 7-16 with moderate learning disabilities and associated speech and language difficulties.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced finance professional as a School Bursar to join a collaborative team at our small special needs school, working closely with the School Business Manager (SBM) and Co-Headteachers. You must be a qualified accountant with experience in schools and/or charities preferable. You will work alongside the School Business Manager to oversee all financial aspects of school business. We are seeking someone who is conscientious, committed and keen to form part of our warm, inclusive school community and support Senior Leaders to maintain high standards of financial planning, monitoring, record keeping and robust processes and procedures.

Main duties and responsibilities
The main duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Budgeting

• To produce the annual budget in collaboration with Senior Leaders and present to FLM committee for recommendation and approval
• To monitor and track performance of the budget, to prepare and produce monthly management accounts and cash forecasts, for issue to the Senior Leadership Team [SenLT] and Trustee Governors
• To prepare regular financial and cash forecasts for the medium/long term future financial performance of the school
• To assist with all financial aspects of any ad hoc projects related to the school/its future plans as and when they arise

Financial Management

• Ensuring compliance on all taxation matters seeking external advice where necessary
• To Prepare and submit accurate VAT returns in accordance with statutory deadlines, to monitor and manage VAT liabilities and payments. To provide guidance on VAT implications for school activities and transactions and to stay updated on changes in VAT legislation and implement necessary adjustments seeking external advice where necessary
• To operate strong financial control and make recommendations on investment/treasury matters seeking external advice where necessary
• Preparing financial appraisals and budgets for specific projects
• Ensuring that the school adheres at all times to the requirements imposed by its charitable status seeking external advice where necessary
• Working with SBM and Headteachers to review expenditure against specific restricted grants
• To produce the annual salary letters for staff
• To monitor and manage the schools cash requirements and its reserves
• To act as the main point of contact for all finance matters arising
• To advise and contribute on strategy around school development and growth

Compliance

• Liaise with the school auditors for submission of annual returns to Companies House and the Charities Commission.
• To attend Finance, Leadership and Management meetings (approx. 4 per year) and present any necessary information and reports
• To liaise and prepare all financial papers for the annual audit and to provide support to the auditors
• To support the Trustee Governors and school accountants in producing the Annual Statutory Accounts

Payroll

• To check the monthly payroll (produced by SBM), advising of any variances from the budget and provide monthly payroll information
• To process the monthly salary journals on QuickBooks
• To liaise with NOW Pensions and The Pension Regulator, as necessary

Accounting

• To raise termly fee invoices on a timely basis onto the Sales Ledger and manage any debtors arising
• To oversee the purchase ledger (managed by SBM) and assist in the management of creditors arising
• To liaise with local authorities to ensure a smooth billing process, raising ongoing issues with the SBM
• To lead the annual fee uplift negotiations and prepare all necessary information required
• To update all Finance Policies annually
• To support the SBM and Headteachers as necessary with ad hoc guidance and advice
• Working with SBM and external advisers where necessary to ensure compliance with relevant aspects of employment law related to pay including maternity leave, minimum wage, equal pay etc
• To lead on all finance tender processes
• To regularly monitor control accounts
• To lead on all monthly and year end procedures
• To reconcile all bank accounts on our financial accounting system

What we can offer you:

• A warm, supportive environment with a collaborative working ethos
• The opportunity to contribute to providing a high-quality educational setting for our young people
• Pension scheme
• Flexible working for the right candidate
• Bike to work scheme

Person Specification:

• To comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the profession and by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards as outlined by UK Accounting Standards
• To promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people
• To understand and comply with Parayhouse School’s policies and ensure they are adhered to at all times in practice.

Qualification and Professional Standards, Experience and Skills and Personal Qualities:

• You will be a good communicator and have an ability to work as an effective and positive team where you will be required to contribute and share knowledge and support colleagues. A collaborative and flexible approach to working practices is essential
• Professional accounting qualification and a good working knowledge of Quickbooks
• Proven experience in financial management, preferably in an educational setting
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial regulations
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• You will demonstrate excellent organisational skills, punctuality and attendance
• You will engage in reflective practice and demonstrate a belief in continual professional development, as an individual and as part of the school team

Parayhouse is committed to equal opportunities in employment and service delivery. The policies and practices of the school aim to promote an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and values the diversity of all people.

If you are interested, please come and visit, we’d love to meet you. To arrange this or apply for the post, please contact L.Morgan@parayhouse.com for an application form.

Parayhouse is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate. As part of our Safer Recruitment policy all shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a Self-Disclosure form before interview.

How to apply: Please contact L.Morgan@parayhouse.com for an application form which can also be found on our website parayhouse.com along with our Safer Recruitment policy and privacy policy, you can also ring 02087411400 to arrange a visit.