Account Manager

Job Summary  

The main purpose of the role is  strategic planning and budgeting, management of all financial and accounting operations, systems, controls,reporting, payroll and the Finance team

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Strategic Planning

· Contribute to the development of the school’s values and vision and communicate these clearly and enthusiastically to direct reports and other stakeholders.

· Develop financial plans, in alignment with the School's Strategic Development Plan and forecast availability of resources

· Participate in strategy retreat and annual goal setting exercise

· Play an active part of the Senior Management/Leadership Team and attend/participate at Senior Management, meetings

· Provide specialist advice and guidance to Head Teacher/SMT/Board of Management on national and local guidelines, policices, statutes, and trends relating to finances 

Budgeting

· Manage the annual budget preparation and modelling, drawing up base budgets, provisional budgets and final budget, and providing financial information and advice to the Head Teacher, Treasurer, Board of Management and Finance Committee,

· Prepare  annual budgets and review expenditure against budget; lead on departmental budget setting

· Liaise with budget owners throughout the year supporting them in monitoring their performance against budgets and objectives

· Provide budget and forecast reports for Leadership Team and Management Board

· Submission of agreed budgets and forecasts in line with regulatory requirements and timetables

· Prepare monthly management expenses (including variance analysis of budget/actual expenditure).

· Monitor school budget and advise Management accordingly

Finance Operations:

· Maintain proper and accurate books of accounts – cash books and other subsidiary books- receipts, ledgers, update accounts to date and ensure serialisation of vouchers and posting, ensure up-to-date records of all expenditure and income

· Ensure compliance/working towards compliance with the financial management standard in schools.

· Use financial management information, especially benchmarking tools, to identify areas of relative spending, assess trends and directly advise the senior management team accordingly.

· Manage the school accounting function, ensuring efficient operations according to agreed procedures, and maintain those procedures by conducting at least an annual review.

· Monitor all accounting procedures and resolve any problems, including:

o Ordering,processing and payment for all goods and services provided to the school

o Operation of all bank accounts,ensuring that a full reconciliation is undertaken at least once per month

o Maintaining an assets register

o Preparation of invoices and collection of fees and other dues, taking legal action where necessary to recover bad debts

o Liaise with parents with regards to outstanding fees.

· Review and respond to any control weaknesses identified through audit or other procedures and checks

· Actively manage the cash flows and resources of the school to optimise the use of funds and provide monthly cash flow updates and regular forecasts.

· Manage cash and petty cash imprest system – ensure regular petty cash accounts and treasury/cash management.

· Monitor and review bank statements and advice and preparation of Bank Reconciliation Statements.

· Manage the financials and reporting on capital projects, and ensure that these project costs are incorporated into the various cash flow and budget models.

· Manage all income and expenditure relating to school trips, including administration of student procedures and records,  travel booking, accommodation,events etc

Cost Management 

· Ensure cost allocations are in line with the budget

· Establish and maintain systems for cost-sensitivity analysis and early-warning of cost-overruns

· Work consultatively with the respective departments on cost reduction initiatives

Internal Control & Compliance

· Ensure compliance with all financial regulations.

· Manage new and existing statutory compliance and incorporate them into financial and management accounts

· Develop, implement and maintain effective internal control and accounting system processes, procedures and policies

· Ensure timely and accurate Management Information System (MIS) and statutory reporting in line with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Financial Reporting:

· Produce, obtain agreement to, and submit all financial reports and returns in line with agreed regulatory and internal timetables, including:

Ø Budgets

Ø Accounts

Ø Tax remittance

Ø Internal management reports, including forecasts, cash flow reports, management accounts, bank

reconciliations, benchmarking data, department budgets reports etc

· Produce  trial balance at year-end to facilitate audit; resolve audit queries

· Prepare quarterly and annual reports which includes the annual financial accounts and liaise with the school’s auditors in the preparation of the school’s annual Financial Reports.

· Prepare, implement and evaluate the final accounts/financial statement

Tax Management

· Proactively manage and engage tax authorities

· Ensure compliance with new and old tax laws and accounting standards as they relate to tax laws

· Negotiate tax agreements within acceptable company standards

· Handle tax related matters and liaise with external organisation for payroll deduction/remittances.  

Investment Management

· Manage the School’s investment portfolio by identifying finance houses that can give the highest returns

· Prepare report from time to time on performance of the various investment portfolios

· Liaise with the School’s bankers and investment managers to keep them abreast of the school’s finances and requirements and take responsibility for documentation of financial transactions between the school and these parties.

Payroll and Pensions administration:

· Manage payroll service to ensure that all staff are paid on time and in line with HR records

· Submit accurate records and returns for staff Payroll and Pensions

· Resolve Payroll and Pensions queries

Stakeholder Management:

· Produce reports for Board of Management and attend Board and Finance Committee meetings

· Liaise with Tax regulatory bodies,  Pensions bodies, auditors etc

People Management:

· Supervise direct reports to ensure they deliver on the goals of the Finance function

· Monitor the progress and quality of work teams and individuals for whom the post holder has specific responsibility and provide prompt and constructive feedback to the Head Teacher and HR.

· Motivate, encourage, empower and provide support to teams or individuals to work effectively, innovatively and creatively to achieve objectives.

Qualification /Experience 

B.Sc in Accounting

Professional qualification such as ACA/ACCA

Minimum 9 years post NYSC 

Experience in the education sector is ana advantage