Our client , an independent school in Macclesfield, is looking for an experienced Accountant to join their team. Reporting to the Director of Finance , the successful candidate will lead and manage the daily operations of the school Finance and Accounting function. In addition, they will be an active and hands-on part of a small team and promote an ethos of teamwork and instil a culture of continuous improvement.

This role is part time, working 22.5 hours per week across four or five days. Core hours are 8:30am to 5pm but a good degree of flexibility over how the hours are worked is on offer to the right candidate. A substantial fees discount is available for children of members of staff, subject to passing an entrance exam. A DBS check will be required for this role.

Financial Operations

• Oversee the whole school accounting function , including the trading company and subsidy charities
• Manage a team of three accounts staff
• Manage all month end and year end procedures
• Monitor expenditure on major projects and other capital works, including financial appraisals of capital projects
  
• Assist with cost savings projects as required and identify opportunities for improved cost control
• Maintain the School Fixed Asset Register
• Work with the DoF to oversee the financial aspects of all contracts
• To be the key point of contact for external audit for the statutory accounts
• Take overall responsibility for the school payroll
• Oversee the administration of the pension schemes for teaching and support staff
• Monitor cash flow and oversee all bank accounts
• To oversee the school’s cashless system - ParentPay

Financial Reporting and Monitoring

• Work with the DoF to prepare the annual budget for the school
• Produce termly management accounts and reports for use by Senior Management and Governors, including cash flows, detailed variance analysis and forecasts to end of the year
• Prepare forecasts for the future financial performance of the school; usually over a period of five years
• Ensure regular budget updates to the DoF and budget holders within the school and alert them to potential overspends
• To maintain the Financial KPI for use by Senior Management and Governors
• To undertake financial analysis (e.g. DfE & ISC censuses, ONS surveys, national statistics, benchmarking surveys) as required
• To draft, monitor and report on financial policies, compliance and procedure
• To advise on and monitor compliance in all matters relating to taxation, including VAT, corporation tax and benefits in kind, including liaising with professional advisors as required.

• Qualified Accountant
• Good communication with key stakeholders and colleagues
• Sound judgement and discretion with ability to work collaboratively and influence
  
• Strong working knowledge of accounting and payroll software
• Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
• A strategic thinker with strong analytical and project management skills
• Experience of managing an accounts team.
• Strong organisational skills
• Experience of charity accounting would be beneficial
• Experience in the education sector would be an advantage but not essential