Gunn Financial Appointments are delighted to be working in partnership with Craigclowan School & Nursery, as they look to appoint a Finance Manager on an initial 18mth FTC basis.
The Organisation:
Craigclowan School & Nursery, established in 1952, is a private day preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3 to 13, based just outside Perth. In August this year the school merged with Glenalmond College and both parties are excited by this newly formed partnership and where it will lead. In addition to building on the values, vision and ethos embodied by the two schools, the merger will see pupils and staff benefit from shared facilities and specialist resources for development and creativity, across academic, co-curricular and support teams.
The school offers an outstanding education to all their children, with the determination to give them the best start to their school career, preparing them for the next steps in their educational journey as they work their way through the school. The school is a strong and supportive community, underpinned by the school values of Respect, Integrity, Kindness, Adventure, Humility, Optimism and Resilience.
When you visit Craigclowan, you’ll immediately see a family atmosphere that shines through. The children’s happiness is at the foundation of everything they do and everything else builds from there. Outside the classroom, they have a strong Games Department, including a former Olympian, and the children have an unparalleled programme of sport. Their extra-curricular programme means that the children are developing their talents outside of the classroom and have opportunities to try lots of different activities they may never have had access to before.
The Role: Finance Manager
The post is being recruited on an initial 18mth FTC basis and will report direct to the Director of Finance (Glenalmond College and Craigclowan School & Nursery).
Key functions of the role:
- To manage the Finance department of Craigclowan School & Nursery including all day-to-day finance and accounting functions
- To gain an in-depth understanding of the current systems and processes and work with the Director of Finance to gradually align with the wider Group framework
- To support the Finance function of Glenalmond College and other associated entities as required
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Assist the Director of Finance in the preparation of management accounts, cashflow forecasts and adhoc analysis and reporting
- Assist with the Annual Audit including sourcing information and answering audit queries
- Assist the Director of Finance in the preparation of monthly, termly and annual reports, and other adhoc requests, across all entities
- Work under the guidance of the Director of Finance to align the school systems and processes to the wider Group framework, making suggestions on efficiencies that may be made between the entities
- Support staff responsible for delegated budgets with procedures that enable them to monitor these budgets effectively
- Be the main point of contact with the admissions team to ensure the smooth running of billing and forecasting processes
- Oversee the production of fee invoices and ensure the timely collection of income
- Manage the credit control process within Group guidelines
- Oversee the timely processing and payment of supplier invoices and staff expenses
- Manage the bank reconciliations and ensure good cashflow management
- Manage the financial element of school-run trips and events, ensuring organisers understand their responsibilities and follow college policies
- Take overall responsibility for the finance system being kept up to date and in good order
- Collate and prepare payroll information for approval by the Director of Finance
- Complete daily, weekly, monthly and year-end procedures and reconciliations as appropriate
- Carry out line management duties for the Accounts Assistant
Person specification:
Essential:
- You’ll be Qualified by Experience or hold a recognised accounting qualification
- Considerable experience of running the sales and purchase ledger function
- Sound knowledge of all aspects of management accounting and preparing VAT returns
- Experience with working with period-end routines
- Staff management experience
- Confident in preparing and posting journals and cash postings in a Finance System
- A confident and skilled communicator
- Ability to identify processes that can be improved and streamlined
- Highly competent in the use of Excel and databases
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to be flexible, resourceful and use initiative to meet varied demands of the department and develop new skills
Desirable:
- Competent with Google Suite
- Experience of PASS &/or iFinance
- Experience of working in an Independent School
What’s on offer:
- Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
- 30 days annual leave + 10 days bank holidays
- 5% ER pension contribution
- 70% staff remission on fees (across Glenalmond and Craigclowan)
- Lunch is provided during term time
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free Parking on site
Additional Information:
The role will be carried out over a 35 hour week and will predominantly be based onsite, with the occasional travel to Glenalmond College.
The successful applicant will be required to obtain a Disclosure Certificate from Disclosure Scotland on appointment to the role.
The Recruitment Process:
1st stage – initial interview with Gunn Financial Appointments
2nd stage – a formal interview with Ciara Fussell (Director of Finance) and Robert Garnish (Chief Operating Officer)
All applications should be sent to Ross Gunn at Gunn Financial Appointments: