Job Description

Grade 5 - \xc2\xa332,925-\xc2\xa336,405 per annum

Do you want to make a difference to people\xe2\x80\x99s lives? Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you have what it takes to provide support across a range of communities?

The well respected and long established Education Finance team are looking to recruit two Finance Officers to join the existing team.

Education Finance prides itself on providing high quality financial support to schools and academies in Havering and beyond. The management of resources is a key area for schools and we place great emphasis on effective financial management. We enjoy excellent working relationships with internal colleagues, external stakeholders, our schools and academies and consistently score highly in customer satisfaction surveys.

These roles are varied and encompasses finance at its core. The stakeholders that the roles involve will be from advising parents applying for financial support to head teachers for financial advice. The candidate will have a broad understanding of the different accounting principles and processes that relate to LA maintained schools, academies and free schools and of local authority accounting standards.

These roles will support the administration of overall financial resources, that involves Early Years, SEN and any other education and central funds. Primarily the roles will be requiring the co-ordination and production of data, that will affect funding and statutory returns from SEN, transport reimbursements, free school meal eligibility checks, school reconciliations, amongst other tasks that the roles require.

These roles will ensure that the distribution of ring-fenced education grants is able to be carried out by the team, and this is a pivotal role, working with the Senior Finance Officers to support the Principal Finance Officer in transactional, operational and strategic matters relating to financial management in education.

These positions are demanding and satisfying with a need to adhere to national and local statutory regulations and to uphold a high level of probity in line with regulations.

We hope to attract applications from candidates with experience of similar roles either in an educational setting or elsewhere. Induction and training will be provided and we encourage ongoing professional development.

A successful candidate will possess the following essential criteria:

• Advanced level of Microsoft Excel application
• 2 years\xe2\x80\x99 experience of working in a finance or similar based role
• Experience of using MS Office applications (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience of working within deadlines
• GCSE Grade 9 - 5 English and maths qualifications (or equivalent, e.g. A* - C)

The successful candidate will have an excellent attention to detail, be flexible and enthusiastic with an ability to manage their own work and that of others.

You must have the ability to work on your own initiative and have extensive knowledge and skills related to the area(s) of work you will be undertaking, specifically engaging with stakeholders, engaging with the public as well as an ability to manage your time and calendar effectively.

You will be joining an enthusiastic and professional team, and will be well supported by our experienced management team. You will be working principally remotely, and would be required to travel to schools and work in the council offices from time to time.

It would be useful for the candidate to also have the following desirable criteria:

• A qualified or part qualified accountant with a commitment to CPD
• SIMS Financial Management System (FMS) experience
• Oracle software experience
• Synergy software experience
• Hold a full UK driving licence

For further details on the advertised job, please click the following link: Education Finance Officer Job Profile

If you have any questions about the post, please contact Hany Moussa by phone on 01708 433895 or via email at hany.moussa@havering.gov.uk.

All applications must be made online. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 14th January 2024 however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

We suggest you copy/paste the content of your application from a Word document, in case your session is timed out.

Make sure you answer fully all the questions and evidence how you meet the competencies for the post, as outlined in the Job Profile.

Please make explicit reference to your relevant qualifications and experience around accounting and finance.

Do not attach a CV as this will not be considered.

Finally, please make sure you choose referees that can comment on your independent work abilities, a line manager, for example.

You will be notified if your application has been successful and you may be invited to an interview and an assessment.

Successful candidates may be required to undertake an Excel skill.

The interview dates are to be confirmed once the advert closes.

Additional Information

We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.

The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

London Borough of Havering