Accounts Manager in leading Surrey Prep School

Hall Grove is a leading co-educational day and boarding prep school in Surrey, a family-owned school with a family ethos at its heart. Our school values are the foundation of everything we do. We encourage children to ‘have a go’ and challenge themselves, and to explore the full curriculum to find out the things they love in life, and what they can achieve. Our record of success is high and every year our children achieve academic, music and co-curricular scholarships to many of the best schools in the country. We also believe in participation at all ability levels. This is a school reliant on selfless commitment, loyalty and dedication. We are ambitious and humble. To better understand the unique learning environment that is Hall Grove School, all applicants are strongly encouraged to visit our website at www.hallgrove.co.uk prior to applying.

Due to the retirement of the current post-holder, we are seeking to appoint a stand-alone Accounts Manager to work with the Principal and Headmaster, planning and managing the school’s financial resources. Ideally, the successful candidate will be able to start work as soon as possible in time for there to be a handover period.

The successful candidate will be dedicated and well-organised with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Prior experience in the education sector would be ideal but is not a prerequisite, and applications are encouraged from candidates with commercial, charitable, private-sector and public-sector backgrounds. The successful candidate will, however, demonstrate empathy with independent education and commitment to our ethos and values.

The role requires someone who has the ability to multi-task and remain calm in a fast-paced environment with the ability to deliver consistent quality and reliability through their methodical approach to work. With great customer service skills and strong attention to detail, the ideal candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm, flexibility and resilience, and have the ability to manage various tasks and projects.

In this pivotal role, you will take ownership of the full spectrum of financial matters from management accounting to budgeting and bookkeeping. This is a stand-alone role working in a warm, nurturing, independent school, which is extremely varied.

Job Specification

The key responsibilities are as follows:

1. Management Accounting

Preparation of termly management accounts for the Principal including:

· All accounting entries and reconciliations to prepare management accounts,

· Variance analysis of income, expenditure, staff numbers and pupil numbers with commentary and explanation of key variances,

· Balance sheet, cash flows and KPIs.

2. Budgeting

Preparation of the annual budget including income, expenditure and any capital expenditure in consultation with the Principal and Head Teacher, including:

· Fee increase proposal,

· Budgeting of staff salaries.

3. Bookkeeping

Responsibility for all accounting entries using iFinance Accounts, including:

· Producing termly fee invoices,

· Reconciliation of Early Years funding,

· Producing regular invoices for after school clubs,

· Chasing late payment where appropriate,

· Processing all purchase invoices and generating weekly payment run,

· Maintaining a fixed asset register and calculating depreciation,

· Processing all bank transactions and performing regular bank reconciliations,

· Performing nominal ledger reconciliations, including deposits, fees paid in advance and pension account reconciliations.

4. Tax Compliance

Ensuring compliance with UK tax regime and prepare tax filings if required.

Manage the process of VAT registration when required, and regular VAT reporting.

5. Payroll

Responsibility for managing and running the monthly payroll process using iFinance Payroll, including:

· Maintaining employee records in iFinance payroll, processing monthly timesheets, liaising with Payroll, HR Manager and HMRC,

· Making monthly FPS and EPS submissions,

· Generating net pay reports for authorisation and payment,

· Generating pension payments and HMRC payments.

6. Other

Prepare termly forecasts, maintaining dynamic scenario planning models.

Work with Principal and Head Teacher to prepare annual staff salary reviews.

Preparation of Salary Survey data.

Review of “Scorecard” pupil pipeline report.

Work with Principal to ensure all Bank Mandates are correct and up to date.

Ensure internal controls are followed and suitable for the organisation. Implement or change controls where appropriate.

Ensure Finance systems are suitable for purpose, implement new systems as and when necessary.

Person Specification

Essential:

· Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with experience in working in a small team (ideally in a stand alone role)

· Experience of book-keeping,

· Experience of preparing Statutory Accounts and audit requirements,

· High level of self-motivation and organisation,

· Self starter with a pragmatic outlook

· Attention to detail

· The ability to communicate at varying levels (with all teaching staff, SLT, School Governors, key non-teaching staff, parents and external agencies),

· Excellent MS Excel skills,

· Excellent analytical skills,

Desirable:

· Experience using iFinance Accounts and iFinance Payroll,

· Knowledge of the administration of VAT,

· Previous experience in the independent education sector.

Reporting Line

The Finance Manager reports to the Principal.

The role works closely with the IT Manager, Compliance & HR Manager, Head of Boarding & After School Care, Head of Admissions, and Admin team.

Benefits

Salary c.£30,000 (upwards depending on experience). Likely part-time (would consider full-time options). This role is a full year role with 6 weeks holiday.

Hours of work 8.15- 4pm (these can be flexible as long as the requirements of the role are fulfilled).

Free on-site parking. Lunch provided in term-time.

Hall Grove is committed to safeguarding, keeping children safe from harm and promoting their welfare. All staff have the responsibility for safeguarding children and this is a key part of the role.

Applications to the Principal (completed application form) via the HR Manager, Suzie Brown (s.brown@hallgrove.co.uk). Closing date: 23 May 2024.

Interviews likely to take place in May. Successful candidate will be notified ASAP.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended) and any offer of employment will be conditional upon successful completion of full safeguarding checks prior to appointment. The school is committed to equal opportunities, welcoming applications from all those who meet the essential requirements of the role.