Finance Manager

PURPOSE

To provide proactive operational leadership in respect of the College’s Finance function ensuring compliance with the Financial Regulations and Procedures to meet all relevant audit and statutory requirements. To provide dynamic and effective management of the Finance Team.

DUTIES

• To provide leadership and direction to the Finance Team ensuring effective communication and focused team working to deliver both the department and College objectives; playing a key role in self-assessment and development planning for the department and identify training needs.
• To build, develop and effectively manage the team using the college’s performance management system to ensure high levels of performance and business efficiency and customer service.
• To develop and implement innovative financial systems, controls and procedures using latest technologies that reflect best practice in the sector, meet audit requirements and ensure cost effective deployment of staff.
• To develop and implement procedures to ensure the timely and accurate processing, recording and reconciliation of all financial transactions across all ledgers. To comply with audit and statutory requirements, in line with the college’s financial regulations and procedures and which reflect best practice and value for money.
• To ensure the effective Treasury Management function including the timely bank reconciliations, daily cash monitoring and robust rolling cash flow forecasting. To ensure suitable investment strategy in place in line with Treasury Management policy and the maximisation of investment income.
• To produce and monitor procedures for the efficient and timely collection of receipts due to the college (e.g. direct debits) including credit control procedures to recover outstanding debts, providing the necessary evidence to substantiate any claims via the courts. Ensure the updating of student records in respect of payments received and reconcile to the finance system, investigating and correcting discrepancies.
• To ensure the accurate and timely submission of statutory returns such as CSO returns, e-mandate and VAT returns, ensuring the correct treatment of all VAT transactions. To prepare the draft statutory year end accounts and funding body returns.
• To contribute to the preparation of the annual college budget. Assist budget holders to build a line-by-line budget for their areas that can be consolidated into an overall College budget.
• To prepare draft consolidated monthly management accounts, including analysis and explanation of variances from budget and any abnormal income or expenditure.
• To oversee the production and development of user-friendly budget holder reporting ensuring timeliness, relevancy and accuracy. Assist budget holders to manage their budgets through monitor performance and providing financial advice and guidance as required.
• To develop implement and maintain procedures to ensure the efficient processing, monitoring, recording and reconciliation of all fixed asset transactions, including capital purchases, asset depreciation, write offs and funding claims.
• To ensure the accurate and timely recording and processing of general ledger transactions such as accruals, prepayments, deferrals, recharges etc. and that all transactions are appropriately authorised in line with college procedures and audit requirements. Ensure all control accounts are reconciled monthly.
• To ensure timely and accurate processing of the payroll and associated payments (e.g., pensions, NI etc.) including the reconciliation of all control accounts and accurate allocation of individual costs. Liaise with Payroll staff to ensure the accuracy of individual payments in line with budget and staffing approvals.
• To liaise with auditors and provide assistance, support and access to relevant and appropriate information, records and files. To implement all audit recommendations within agreed timescales.
• To provide guidance and training to all College staff on financial procedures and budget holder responsibilities and other related queries. To ensure the provision of a finance function that supports College activities e.g., enrolment.
• Any other duties of a similar level of responsibility as may be required.