ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP
WCAT is a multi-academy sponsor, specialising in the development of world-class academies which set high
standards and give young people access to opportunities through excellent teaching and inspirational leadership.
WCAT academies are at the heart of their communities and community learning, and work with local authorities,
employers and high performing educational institutions.
JOB TITLE: Finance Manager
LOCATION: Wakefield City Academy and other academies as required
GRADE/SALARY: PO G £40,254 to £43,335
WCAT PURPOSE: Reporting to the Director of Finance the key purpose of this role is to oversee the
finances of the allocated academies and ensure good financial management at these academies..
The Finance Manager will ensure that all relevant financial information and reporting is produced to a high
standard and within deadlines. They will also apply best practice and high standards of financial management in
accordance with financial regulations to optimise ‘best value’ and to maximise the use of resources in line with
WCAT’s policies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership

Responsible for management, leadership and mentoring of staff

Provision of financial support to Business Managers in the
academies
Production of monthly financial management reports (Income &
Expenditure statement including explanation of material variances,
Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statements and Capital Expenditure Reports)
for distribution to Local Governing Bodies, SLT and Director of Finance

Maintenance of academy grant registers

Maintenance of academy asset registers

Timely provision of accurate financial information in reports and
presentation to SLTs and Local Governing Bodies

Develop business continuity and disaster recovery plans for the
finance function at the relevant academies

Manage preparation of and review monthly balance sheet account
reconciliations

Provision of information for inclusion in WCAT statutory returns
(including VAT)

Prepare annual budgets for academies in consultation with SLT and
budget holders, and in accordance with guidance and timeframe
established by Director of Finance.. Ensure there are clear linkages
between the budget and the academy development plan.

Assist with and complete returns for submission to external
bodies/agencies

Ad hoc project work as required including the production and
monitoring of financial policies and procedures

As required attend and participate in meetings

Participate in training and other learning activities as required

Prepare year end accounts for the allocated academies in accordance
guidelines and timetables (including liaison with Director of Finance and
external audit as required)
Other duties agreed from time to time by the post holder with
the Director of Finance

The postholder shall be required to work in any of the
schools/academies within the WCAT

Ensure appropriate levels of systems and internal controls are in place to
safeguard academy assets

The post holder will be required to attend Local Governing Body
meetings which are held on an evening

Ensure compliance with WCAT scheme of delegation, finance regulations
and policies

Be aware of, and comply with, policies and procedures relating to
child protection, health and security, confidentiality and data
protection, reporting all concerns to appropriate person

Ensure that monthly bank reconciliations are carried out in an accurate
and timely manner and reporting any banking errors to the Director of
Finance

Ensure the services provided by administrative functions is
consistent with the Trusts identity and ethos and is of the highest
standards
Operations and Control





Prepare annual capital programme for the academies in consultation with
SLT and in accordance with guidance and timeframe established by
Director of Finance.
Report the agreed budget and capital programme to the Local Governing
Body.
Preparation of monthly control account reconciliations and ensuring that
all balances are explained and documented

Advise and support SLT and local governing bodies on all aspects of the
academy budget
Strategic

Work effectively with non-finance staff to improve financial awareness
throughout the academies

Develop medium term financial plans in conjunction with SLT and
Director of Finance

Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of WCAT

To comply with WCAT child safeguarding procedures. To comply with
WCAT policies and procedures at all times

To ensure the highest management standards are achieved by ensuring
own professional development is effectively progressed
PERSON SPECIFICATION – FINANCE MANAGER
Elements required to undertake the job are provided under specific headings.
Each element is essential or desirable as indicated by and E or D in the “E/D” column.
Qualifications:
CCAB qualified with at least 3 years post qualification
experience
E
√
Evidence of continued professional development
Experience:
Successful leader with a track record of financial systems
and improvements within the financial sector.
√
Successful experience of world class leading edge use of
data and understanding of the learning and education
environment.
√
Managerial experience in the financial sector, public or
private.
√
Sound knowledge of appropriate financial strategies that
underpin a culture of accuracy whilst embracing continual
business improvements.
√
A successful track record or working at a senior level in a
complex organisation.
Skills:
√
√
√
√
Strong networking skills, applying these to build high-value
relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
√
Able to analyse and use data to establish benchmarks and
set challenging targets for improvement
√
Well-developed written and oral communication
management skills with the ability to demonstrate assimilate
complicated financial policies, procedures and regulations.
√
Personal resilience and the ability to maintain staff morale
at times of pressure and change
The ability to think outside the box to stimulate innovation
and to secure the future success of the organisation along
with the ability to develop and prepare financial policies,,
procedures and regulations.
Competent in the introduction of new financial systems
whilst demonstrating an ability to develop
specifications/contracts for the procurement of services.
Delivers WCAT’s vision and values into operational strategy and
objectives and establishes a strong culture. Through personal
drive and example instils their vision and builds the enthusiasm
and commitment in their team to implement well defined
strategies and pursue long-term goals with energy and tenacity,
while setting the highest standards of integrity and service.
Conceptual and Strategic Thinking and
Planning
Achieves a broad view of their own and adjacent areas or
responsibility, and identifies the range of current and future
factors and their interaction which should influence strategy
development. Generates a range of viable strategy options for
delivering policy, and rigorously assesses their likely effectiveness
under different conceivable scenarios.
Focus on Outcomes
Takes responsibility for achieving specific, challenging objectives
within an agreed time scale and budget, and meeting or exceeding
required quality standards. Displays the drive, determination and
resilience to mobilise people and resources towards achieving
results that meet stakeholder needs. Ready to challenge existing
ways of thinking/behaving in a persistent search for ways of
improving performance.
Managing People and Developing Talent
Strategic foresight, the ability to make decisions, identify
and solve problems based on thorough analysis and sound
judgement.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to work well
under pressure, delegate, plan and manage time effectively
Competencies:
Leadership
√
Demonstrative experience and success of working across
multiple agencies within a complex stakeholder
environment.
A proven record in the management of organisational
change within the finance sector. Demonstrate innovation
in the seeking of high performance with your assigned
teams.
D
Managing in a way that enables people to reach their potential
and make the best use of their skills and knowledge in order to
meet WCAT’s aims and objectives in line with its vision.
Managing the performance of others to ensure targets and quality
standards are achieved and dealing with poor performance
effectively,
Communication
Displays clarity and openness in communication both written and
verbal to colleagues and stakeholders.
Communicates
information in an appropriate and effective manner. Also clearly
communicates the implications of decisions and demonstrates the
ability to enhance WCAT’s image.
Managing Resources Innovatively
√
Critically and continuously examines how to gain optimum value
from finite resources. Shows the ability to break out of
established ways of thinking in the search for innovative ways of
improving performance. Innovates without dropping essential
standards or putting the organisation under undue pressure.
√
Personal Effectiveness
√
√
√
Possess integrity, personal credibility and gravitas which
inspire commitment, enthusiasm and confidence.
√
A willingness to personally embrace and celebrate the
ethos and values of the organisation
√
Behaves consistently within a corporate context. Quickly adapts
to varying environments and with differing tasks and people.
Displays the confidence, enthusiasm and grasp of complexity to
be consistently effective in decision-making in an often complex
working environment. Derives personal satisfaction working with
the WCAT’s culture and values. Manages work pressures well,
showing both resilience and tenacity.