Website International Schools Partnership - (ISP Middle East)
International Schools Partnership (ISP) is a leading and growing group of 105 private international schools operating in more than 25 markets and educating over 92,500 students worldwide.
Finance Manager
Description
Job Description for Finance and Administration Manager
ISP Principles
Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
For all staff in school we share a responsibility to ensure that children are safe and properly supervised at all times. Our school is committed to ‘amazing learning’- providing enjoyable and meaningful learning experiences so that every pupil makes as much progress as possible. All staff are expected to adhere to The Aquila Professional Code of Conduct and commit to promoting our vision – ‘A happy community school with amazing learning at its heart where pupils are empowered to make choices, engage in meaningful learning experiences and make exceptional progress’. Our focus is providing children with amazing learning and to be the school of choice for the community we serve.
The Aquila School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.
Key qualities and skills:
- To be warm and personable
- To be approachable, professional, calm and knowledgeable
- To be able to deal professionally with children, staff and families
- To be able to prioritise work load
- To be IT literate and an excellent and efficient administrator
- To be a qualified and experienced accountant
Core purposes:
- To manage all aspects of the non-educational running of the school (except HR) under the direction of the school Principal
- To ensure that the school is financially sensible and that all company and local regulations are followed – to secure best value while managing expenditure and optimising financial performance
- To take an active role in the day to day running of the school
- The Finance Manager position is responsible for the accounting and financial reporting operations of the school, including the production of monthly financial reports, maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records, a comprehensive set of controls designed to mitigate risk, enhance the accuracy of the schools reported financial results, and ensure that reported results comply with international financial reporting standards.
Key duties include:
- Managing the work of other members of the non-teaching team
- Ensuring that systems and processes are clear, simple and effective
- Ensuring invoices to families are sent out in good time and are clear
- Ensuring that any amounts outstanding from families are followed up in a timely, professional and systematic fashion
- Managing the procurement of resources, capital expenditure and expansion items
- Working alongside HR and facilities to ensure that visas, staff approvals, health insurance and other licences and approvals are in place.
- Taking an active role in the wider life of the school
- Driving the work of the admissions team to maximise enrolments
- To maintain and regularly review a register of contracts
- Oversee the operations of the Accounting Department, including the design of an organisational structure adequate for achieving the department’s goals and objectives.
- Embed and champion the financial policies and procedures of ISP and maintain a documented system of policies and procedures.
- Design internal control systems for all departments to ensure the safeguarding of school assets and monitor and enforce internal controls.
- Ensure the efficient operation and integration of the accounting system throughout the school.
- Ensure the timely reporting of all monthly and annual financial information.
- Ensure general ledger and financial statements are complete and accurate.
- Perform general ledger reconciliations including deferred income and other account analysis.
- Each month end, update a ‘month end’ folder with detailed balance sheet reconciliations for all balance sheet items.
- Daily cash reporting and monthly bank reconciliations
- Manage the production of the annual budget and in year forecasts.
- Liaise with banks, audit, legal and tax providers as necessary.
- Comply with government reporting requirements and tax filings.
- KPI and performance monitoring.
- Maintain the fixed asset register by supervising the recording of all items in the inventory, maintaining pertinent records and ensuring adequate treatment of fixed asset acquisitions and disposals.
- Manage payables, receivables and invoicing functions of the school efficiently.
- Prepare monthly budget variance reports and work with the Principal and Regional Finance Director on corrective actions.
- Other ad-hoc analysis as required by the Principal or Regional Finance Director from time to time.
To be line managed by the School Principal with a dotted line to the ISP Regional Finance Director
Holidays- 30 days per year
Hours of work: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Thursday and up to 1:00 pm on Friday’s
You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.
- Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.
- Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.
- Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.
- Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
- Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
- Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
- Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.
- Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.
- Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.
- Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.
- Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.
- Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.
- Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.
- Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively.
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.