Finance Officer

The Park is one of two 11-16 comprehensives in Barnstaple.  Park was opened in 1972 following the re-organisation of selective education in the town; however, the origins of the school date back to 1910, with the site housing both the Boys and Girls grammar schools.  Many elements of the original buildings remain and these help to link the school to its proud and strong history.

The school currently educates 1420 students, mainly from the town of Barnstaple and outlying villages.  In recent years, the popularity of the school has meant that the geographical catchment has increased, with many students now travelling some distance to join us.

The school is a founder member of The Tarka Learning Partnership (TLP), an academy trust with a vision to empower young people in North Devon through learning. The Trust includes Park’s main feeder primary schools - Eden Park Academy, Sticklepath Community Primary Academy, Landkey Community Primary Academy, Roundswell Community Primary Academy, Newport Community School Primary Academy, Fremington Primary School along with North Molton Primary School. TLP is also the employer of staff in both the Devon Primary SCITT, a partner dedicated to primary school teacher training.  

TLP supports Park and ensures academic rigour, collaboration and the further development of teaching and learning. Park also has strategic alliances with the North Devon Academic Board, and is a member of Dartmoor Teaching School Alliance and the North Devon Teaching School Alliance. This reflects a key focus of our vision and governance to ensure continual school development.

As part of the Tarka Learning Partnership we are a Safe Employer and thorough checks will be carried out as part of our commitment to Safer Recruitment. We do not accept Curriculum Vitae. All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Job Title: Finance Officer

Responsible to: School Business Manager

Responsible for: Finance Assistant

Work Pattern: Contracted hours 37 hours per week, full time. General working hours will be 8.30-4.30pm. Some flexible working will be required to support out of school time activities.

Annual Leave: Annual leave must be taken in consultation with school management and must be within school holidays.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. Responsibility for all aspects of financial processing ensuring compliance with Trust Finance Policy;

2. Responsible for effective income collection controls and systems;

3. Oversight of product pricing and sales to students/parents/community;

4. Effective forecasting and stock control;

5. Provision and analysis of figures/data for Management Information and reporting;

6. Administration, security and retention of financial records;

7. Support and advice for colleagues on budgeting and ordering.

Shared Responsibilities with other Leadership Team members:

1. Foster community links;

2. Liaise with TLP, service providers, schools and colleges;

3. Inform and monitor whole school targets;

4. Work to strengthen and enhance The Park Community School’s values and culture;

5. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Main Duties

Key Function 1 - Effective procurement and processing

• Raising and authorising purchase orders in line with financial delegations

• Ensuring invoices are processed and authorised in an accurate, compliant and timely manner

• Processing Sales invoices and effective debt management

• Accurate recording and processing of Payroll claims for overtime, supply, invigilation, travel

• Undertake supplier checks as required

• Liaison with the Trust for new suppliers, correction of errors, identification of income, etc.

• Effective logging and record keeping of new assets

• Schedule and procure administration services needed such as cash collection, confidential waste, mail services.

Key Function 2 - Supervision and team working

• Daily supervision of finance assistant

• Weekly attendance and contribution to Trust and School Operation Team meetings

• Regular liaison with colleagues involved with clubs, tips, activities and trading services

• Work closely with HR colleagues to inform the single central record of new casual workers, agencies or contractors

• Work closely with student data leads to ensure effective housekeeping of staff and students in income collection system

Key Function 3 - Monitoring and reporting

• Monitoring of trip and other commercial income and proactively managing late payments

• Providing MI, support and advice for budget holders to plan and monitor their budgets effectively,

• Monitoring debt and proactively manage any debt recovery

• Handling supplier enquiries and problem resolutions

• Conducting value for money exercises for resources and consumables

• Proactive income collection/monitoring of non-invoice income

• Checking and authorising  any disposal of assets

• Monitor and provide key budget MI to assist the SBM with detailed budget monitoring and to inform pricing

Key Function 4 - Financial controls 

• Authorisation of all resale/student related products including pricing, and payment and credit terms

• Authorisation of Trip Refunds

• Oversight of the MCAS shop and income collection processing and systems for the school

• Ensuring SLAs are in place as required

• Ensuring VAT compliance/reconciliation

• Management and compliance of multi pay cards/currency cards

Key Function 5 – Administration & Housekeeping

• Daily monitoring and delegation of incoming finance correspondence 

• Run monthly finance housekeeping reports as directly by TLP best practice guidance

• Regular cleanse of student and staff income systems and liaison regarding students admission

• Support financial year end returns and procedures

• Lead on annual cycle of financial record storage and monitor effective retention 

Personal Development

• Keeping up to date with policy, systems and legal changes with consideration to financial processing and procedures

Please read the full job description and personal specification before applying.

Vacancy Closing Date: Tuesday 18 May, 9am

Interview Date: Thursday 27th May