Finance Business Partner

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

General Duties

• Providing high-quality and consistent financial operational advice and being the first point of contact for schools on day-to-day finance functions.
• Reviewing draft management accounts and providing commentary.
• Assisting schools with financial forecasting and financial planning.
• Reviewing and reporting on schools’ payrolls and assisting with payroll and pension queries.
• Ensure the most effective use of school resources.
• Facilitating the procurement process, including securing appropriate service contracts, licenses, and insurance, within specified authority limits.
• Motivating headteachers with income generating activities and funding bids as opportunities arise.
• Assisting with completion of business cases as required to support new development plans for schools.
• Confirming and uploading census figures for schools when completed by FAOs and clerical staff.
• Providing school level finance reports as required.
• Regulating adherence to LAAT Finance Policy.
• To guide and support schools in the annual budgeting process.
• Ensuring that schools are compliant with Trust financial procedures and the requirements of the ESFA.
• Facilitating the implementation of new systems as appropriate.

Other

The post holder will be expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to this post.

Some travel between the schools and the Head Office may be required, as will the need to attend evening meetings from time to time. In order to meet the requirements of the role, the postholder will be expected to travel to Head Office for training and development.

The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties that may be required from time to time within the general scope of the post. Any such duties should not substantially change the general character of the post. Duties and responsibilities outside of the general scope of this grade of post will be with the consent of the postholder.

• The postholder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with LAAT Equal Opportunities policies.
• The postholder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the LAAT Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Closing date: 12/02/25.

All employees need to be aware of the possible abuse of children and vulnerable adults and if you are concerned you need to follow the Academies’ Safeguarding Policy. In addition, employees working with children have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children during the course of their work.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, please be advised that if shortlisted, we will carry out internet searches to support our commitment to safer recruitment. Please note that the purpose of this is to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which the school might want to explore with applicants at interview. Internet searches will be carried out by someone who is not directly involved in the recruitment process and only relevant information will be shared with the interview panel.

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service, barred list check, references and medical checks.  Pre-employment checks are in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

The school advertising the vacancy will contact you directly regarding the outcome of your application and any interviews. When interviews are taking place schools will follow all Government and Public Health England Guidelines.

All shortlisted candidates will need to verify their eligibility to work in the UK at interview.