Finance Consultant

Chelmsford

Job DescriptionWelcome to Juniper Education, where our mission is to champion educators, empowering them to shape the future generations. We're more than just a support system; we're the driving force that propels schools and Academy Trusts to new heights. With our proven school education management systems and services, we address a spectrum of needs, ensuring excellence in education. In the education and tech industry, your work directly influences the lives of students and educators. Whether you're developing cutting-edge educational technology, supporting school leadership teams directly or designing solutions to enhance the learning experience, you could make a lasting and positive impact on the future.Our mission statement says it all: We look after you, so that you can look after our children.Dedicated to our core values, we are committed to:Empowerment: Equipping everyone with the tools, intelligence, connections, and freedom to make informed decisions, recognised and respected by all.Purpose: Supporting everyone to reach their highest potential, thereby enabling all children to achieve theirs.Passion: Because we love what you do, you’re at the heart of everything we do.Innovation: Delivering meaningful solutions with expertise and creative thinking to influence the ever-changing world of education.Collaboration: The cornerstone of our success as it enables us to collectively harness diverse perspectives and strengths, ensuring that together, we achieve more than we could ever do alone. Every voice counts!The RoleTo deliver a professional, customer facing financial management support service to school’s / academy’s / Multi Academy Trust’s across the country by remote access and onsite according to geographical location, that enhances their financial management by providing:• Remote / on-site consultancy visits to support the customer’s finance function with expertise on financial management tasks as commissioned by the customer with regard to completion, assistance, guidance, checking, training and reviews. The expertise given will be in accordance with requirements relating to Schools Financial Value Standard, Academies Financial Handbook and Education Funding Agency updates, Essex Scheme of Financing Schools and Scheme of Delegation or the equivalent for the relevant local authority.• Helpdesk facilities, to answer financial management queries from school / academy finance staff, Head teachers and Governors/Trustees.• Independent examination/audit of school private fund accounts.• Assist/deliver a range of finance training coursesResponsibilities:• Provide a high-quality service in accordance with the Department for Education’s requirements and those of the Service• Managing an allocated portfolio of customers, ensuring all visit requests are accommodated including liaising with senior consultants for cover at peak times• Local Authority or ESFA financial returns• Budget preparation and Forward Financial Planning, including liaising with Headteachers/ Governors / Business managers using influencing and negotiating skills• Budget monitoring, forecasting expenditure and cashflow• Producing financial reports for governors / board of trustees• Attendance at Governor meetings where required• One to one training of finance staff remotely / on-site• Troubleshooting financial anomalies• Year-end accounting system procedures and statutory returns• Monthly bursar finance tasks i.e. reconciliation of funding, bank, payroll, and VAT claims• Coding of revenue and capital expenditure in line with Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR)• Transaction processing i.e. journals, virements, orders and invoices, petty cash, income, banking• Accounting for school private fund• Helpdesk consultant answering financial management queries (rota basis) • Assist with delivering Education Finance Support training course programme• Independent examination/audit of school private fund accounts• Independently manage diary and allocated portfolio• Keep abreast of changes in education and local government finance and share ideas and knowledge with others within Education Finance Support.• Provide business continuity and contribute to service/business development• Achieve high levels of customer satisfaction and additional/repeat subscriptions• Actively promote Education Finance Support services and achieve activity targets as set by the Service to maximise income generation• Share relevant market information with Juniper Education colleagues• Perform financial management reviews as required, producing professional post-visit reports of the assessment, detail findings and recommendations for consideration by client Senior leaders• Responsible for personal development and active participation in own performance appraisal review meetings• Keep admin tasks up to date as required by the serviceQualifications:• Accounting qualifications, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, AAT or similar• And/or CIPFA's Certificate in Financial Reporting for AcademiesThe following may be considered in lieu of a financial qualification:• Certificate in School Business Management (CSBM)• Diploma in School Business Management (DSBM)• Considerable school’s financial experience at a responsible level.Experience of school and academy financial software including PS Financials, FMS6 & SIMS, SAGE, ACCESS, RM, Civica, would be an advantage although training will be provided.