Head of Finance

Head of Finance

£60,000 - £65,000 per annum, Permanent - 35 hrs pw

Office based role – Victoria, London 

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) helps ensure that the Further Education and Training sector develops world class leaders, teachers and trainers. We work across the whole FE sector and are funded by Government grant, commercial contracts, professional membership (The Society for Education and Training - SET) and accreditation fees and a variety of other business activities.

We are now looking to appoint a Head of Finance who will be highly visible across the organisation at all levels and to external to partners.  The role will be  responsible for:

• Leading the day-to-day operations of the Finance team
• Ensuring all financial controls are in place and monitored on a regular basis
• Maximising financial knowledge across the organisation and enabling staff to make informed financial decisions

The role will report into the Director of Finance & Business and will be responsible for:

Financial accounting / controls

• Accounts: Lead the production of the monthly accounts including periodic review of purchase order commitments and balance-sheet reconciliations
• Payments: Ensure all payments are, checked, validated and reconciled before authorisation by directors
• Payroll: Ensure that monthly instructions to the outsourced payroll provider are accurate working with HR, salaries are checked prior to approval and pension provisions are paid. Explore the possibility of bringing the payroll function in-house.
• Year-end / audits: Lead both audit works (internal and external), the year-end process, preparing and coordinating files for the auditors and the statutory accounts with the relevant directors. Participate in the tender for both audit services for the next three years

Management accounting

• Prepare grant claims for submission to the DfE and other funders
• Lead the annual budget and quarterly forecast cycles throughout the year for the whole of ETF, working with the MA and budget holders to present the most up to date information
• Assist the DFBI in all aspects of financial planning, including 5-year projections (I&E, B/S, cashflow, investments) and scenario modelling

Team & staff management

• Constructively line manage the finance team members including performance management and annual reviews
• Plan the development of team members at all levels and own professional development

Other

• Work with external parties such as DfE, funders, auditors, tax advisors and legal partners to ensure work in completed in time

• Participate in the healthy life and dynamic of the wider directorate (Finance, IM&T, BA)
• Deputise for the DFBI in its absence

The successful candidate will:

Be educated to degree level or equivalent

• ACA / ACCA fully qualified (strong technical CIMA candidates will be considered)
• Strong knowledge of financial systems in general (Sage200 would be a significant advantage)
• Strong track records of financial controls and statutory reporting
• Ability to reach decisions and judgments based upon balanced assessment of the technical, business and human factors involved
• Proactive approach to problem-solving, demonstrating initiative and ability to hit the ground running in a structured and considerate way for the benefit of the whole organisation
• The ability to empower staff and build a confident team through effective leadership
• Resilient with the ability to anticipate, identify and deal with problems in a timely and planned manner and see them through to resolution
• Highly motivated and proactive, with excellent interpersonal skills

If you are an exceptional candidate who would like to make an impact and enjoy working in a vibrant and cooperative environment, we will welcome your application.

Applicants should apply by submitting a CV and cover letter (500 words maximum), outlining how you fulfil the requirements of this role. 

Closing Date:  Monday 19 April at 12 pm

The Education and Training Foundation values diversity and is committed to making appointments on merit by fair and open processes, in accordance with its equal opportunities policy. Our employees enjoy a generous benefits package