Financial Manager (Educational Sector)

About the position

Our client is seeking to appoint an experienced Finance Manager. The key purpose of the role is to lead and direct an effective financial management service and to ensure the efficient daily financial operation of the department. This position will work across all schools (College, Prep and Pre-Prep) and reports directly to the Business Manager.

This role requires a self-starter, who understands monthly and statutory deadlines, takes initiative, and has a solution driven approach. The environment is busy, and the role is demanding in terms of variety, volume and requests from staff and stakeholders. A calm approach with attention to detail, good planning and structure are necessary. Honesty and integrity and the adoption of good governance practice is essential.



Key Responsibilities:

Finance and management reporting:

• Generate accurate and timeous management accounts for the School Executive, Finance and Risk Committee and Council
• Comprehensively prepare for and head up the annual year end audit to meet the required standards. The audit is prepared in terms of International Financial Reporting Standards – entity specific.
• Manage debtors and creditors and strictly apply the Fees Policy
• Daily cash flow management ensuring the interest budget is achieved

 

Budget and Forecasting:

• Prepare zero based budgets, including Capex and integrated cash forecast
• Conclude the annual budget within school calendar timelines
• Generate and explain expense and cash flow forecasts with Business Manager
• Report income and expenditure for defined periods against annual budget

 

General Financial management:

• Oversee the daily operation of the Finance Dept ensuring high standards of service delivery to all stakeholders
• Maintain efficient and effective internal control to ensure an accurate school fee management system, payroll administration and service provider arrangements
• Although the Finance Manager reports to the Business Manager, they are responsible for the preparation and presentation of required information for various sub-committees of our clients Council (Finance and Risk, Investment and Scholarships and Bursaries)

 

Experience and skills required:

• Com qualification or higher and completion of articles of clerkship/audit experience.
• A proven track record as a Finance Manager, managing and developing a team.
• Understanding of sound financial processes and internal accounting controls
• Proficient in Microsoft (MS) Excel (intermediate or better) and good Word and PowerPoint skills
• Minimum of 7 years in a comprehensive financial reporting and compliance environment
• Strong reasoning and analytical skills
• High level of IT systems and accounting software knowledge
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Management experience in an educational environment would be advantageous

 

Key Competencies:

• Honesty, integrity, and reliability
• Ability to manage pressure and meet deadlines
• Macro view with key attention to detail
• The ability to systematically examine and evaluate data or information
• Be task completion and solution driven

 

Desired Skills:

• Auditing
• Budgeting
• Financial Management
• Financial Modeling
• Forecasting
• Payroll
• PowerPoint