Job Description

Job Title: Academy Finance Officer

Salary/Grade: Negotiable dependent upon experience

Academy Name: University of Wolverhampton Multi Academy Trust

Location/Address: University of Wolverhampton, Walsall Campus, Gorway Road, Walsall, WS1 3BD

Purpose of the Post

To support the University in the successful implementation of the University’s business plan for the development of
Academies, including the development of close relationships with Academies, potential academies and key
stakeholders (including local authorities).

The post holder will be involved in all aspects of management and financial accountancy along with the production
of statutory accounts. The job content will be varied and range from routine procedures to supporting the Director
of Finance and Operations, advising Head Teachers, Business Managers and other Academy Staff on both
budgetary control and best use of financial resources. It is expected that regular visits to Academies will be
required in order to provide face to face support, direction and challenge on financial information and activities.

The University of Wolverhampton Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children and young people and expects all staff; Newly Qualified Teacher’s and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to satisfactory references which will be requested prior to the interview, an enhanced Disclosure
and Barring Service (DBS) check, medical check, evidence of qualifications, plus verification of the right to work in the
UK.

Relationships

Internal: Offices of the Vice Chancellor, Education Central, Education Central Multi Academy Trust, Academies,
Heads of Department, Internal Audit, Academic and Non Academic Staff.

External: External Agencies, Department for Education, Banks, Education Funding Agency, Other Funding Bodies,
Building Societies, HMRC, External Auditors, Tax Advisers, Other Academies, Public/Limited Companies.

Duties and responsibilities attached to this post are as follow:

1. To provide support to academy business managers in our academies to prepare, submit and monitor their
individual annual budgets, cash flow statements and longer term financial planning providing challenge where
appropriate. Support provided may vary from academy to academy.

2. Ensure compliance with all academy and trust financial procedures.

3. In conjunction with the Finance Director and Academy leaders, ensure that all academies have operational
budgets and medium term financial plans that balance to the funding available or reasonably expected.
4. Ensure compliance with all funding agreements with governmental and other bodies, as well as relevant
accounting and other statutory Codes of Practice.

5. Assist with the development, maintenance and operation of sound systems of financial control, including
developing and maintaining appropriate internal operating procedures, policies and supporting procedures.

6. To support with the preparation of the annual statutory accounts for the consolidated Academy Trust and any
trading subsidiaries.

7. To assist the Academy accountant to prepare monthly Budgeting, Forecasting and Monitoring information

8. To assist the Academy accountant, where appropriate, with the preparation of all ESFA Statutory Returns as
required.

9. To ensure that appropriate financial business systems and processes are in place within the Trust and
constituent academies, and that they are appropriate to protect public funding and demonstrate value-for-
money.

10. To accurately fulfil all internal and external reporting requirements for the UWMAT, including those of the
Department for Education (DfE), Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), HM Revenue and Customs, and
other public or statutory bodies and accounting for the use of funds received for restrictive purposes.

11. To prepare, monitor and challenge forecasts for short, medium and long-term cash requirements, ensuring that
the Trust’s cash position remains within guidelines approved by the Trust Board.

12. Ensure support for internal and external auditors and act as a point of contact with these services. To liaise with
auditors throughout the year end process.

Other Duties – Assist the Academy accountant will the following:

1. Periodic update of the centrally used management ledger structures to incorporate new cost centres and
expense codes, up-date of the coding manual and the distribution and notification of the revised manual in line
with users’ needs.

2. Monthly reconciliation of the trial balance to the management structures.

3. Monthly reconciliation of the global budget total with control totals.

4. Assist with the development of the Finance General Ledger and Reporting Systems.

5. Oversee the completion of regular payroll, funding and VAT reconciliations for each academy

6. Oversee ESFA Funding and Payroll Journals within individual Academies.

7. Production and maintenance of Finance training notes.

8. Computer Misuse - The post holder will need to have regard to the provision of the Computer Misuse Act 1990
and in particular to take such steps as may be necessary to prevent unauthorised access to computer material
(Section 1) and the unauthorised modification of computer materials (Section 3).

1. Safe Working Practices for Adults working with Children- It is the responsibility of each employee to carry out
their duties in line with UWMAT’s ethos and culture of safe working practices for Adults working with Children,
and be sensitive and caring to the needs of the disadvantaged, promoting a positive approach to a harmonious
working environment. Each employee should act as an exemplar on these issues and must, where appropriate,
identify and monitor training for themselves and any employees they are responsible for.

2. Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Act - The post holder is required to comply with the above
legislation and maintain awareness of the University’s policies and procedures relating to the Freedom of
Information and Data Protection Acts. Attention is specifically drawn to the need for confidentiality in handling
personal data and the implications of unauthorised disclosure.
3. Equality and Diversity – There is a requirement for the post holder to promote the equality and diversity agenda
within their own role and areas of responsibility and across the department/unit.

4. Health and Safety - The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to
UWMAT’s policy, organisation and arrangements for Health and Safety at Work.

5. Flexibility - All staff within the UWMAT Family will be expected to accept reasonable flexibility in working
arrangements and the allocation of duties to reflect the changing roles and responsibilities of Education and
Children's Services. Any changes arising will take account of salary and status. They will also be subject to
discussion with individuals or sections affected and with appropriate Trades Unions.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time when it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from
time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such
variations are a common occurrence and cannot in themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

Developed by
Director of Finance
(insert job title):

Date of Issue: November 2018