Finance Business Partner

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Leadership and Management

• To provide leadership, guidance and direction to the line managed staff to drive performance to deliver against the strategic goals of the College.
• To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff, in line with relevant College policies and procedures.

• Ensure that all staff within the function are working efficiently and effectively. To conduct staff appraisals, evaluate training needs, and where necessary to challenge underperformance and support improvement through the application of College procedures.
• Ensure the service delivery meets and/or exceeds requirements for all internal and external quality assessments and inspections.
• To be accountable for setting targets, establishing and implementing performance management systems to monitor achievement of targets against agreed KPIs and operational plans.
• To commit to excellence in performance management and participation in continuous improvement activities by all support staff.

2. Financial Planning

• Work closely with the Group Management Accountant to prepare the College financial plans, including the 3 year rolling financial plan (Income & Expenditure, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statements) with a specific focus on the annual financial plan.
• Assist in the preparation of accurate corporate financial plans and forecasts highlighting potential opportunities and risks at College level.
• Assist the Group Management Accountant in the development and management of annual budgetary timetable, processes, and end user guidelines, continuously improving the budget setting process and accuracy of budget profiling.
• Develop and roll out budget templates and manage the returns and quality assurance process.

3. Financial Management & Budgetary Control

• Oversee the upload and maintenance of budgets at cost centre level on the College accounting system.
• Assist with the ongoing development and roll out of the College’s framework for budgetary control.
• Oversee the distribution of timely and accurate budget holder reports and financial advice to all budget holders.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and professional accounting standards.
• Co-ordinate the delivery of information to support the annual accounts preparation process.
• Undertake financial impact assessments relating to changes in new legislative or service initiatives.
• Assist in the preparation of financial reports to a wide range of stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation including for example Department for the Economy (DfE) and the College Governing Body. 
• Promotion of the concept of value for money and continuous improvement of financial management within the college.

4. Costing and Viability

• Assist in the analysis required to support profitability analysis for full cost recovery work, achievement of planned margins and identification of break-even points.
• Promote a culture which empowers budget holders and supports the delivery of value for money services, including preparation and interpretation of benchmarking information and key cost drivers.
• Support the timely preparation of robust business cases in line with Department of Finance (DoF) NIGEAE guidance identifying and quantifying costs, benefits, risks and funding solutions including preparation of Net Present Value calculations and affordability analysis.
• Undertake data analysis to support the Group Management Accountant to develop and implement cost reduction plans.

5. Training

Undertake training needs analysis, develop and deliver training as required to staff throughout the College.

6. Business Partner role

Act as Business Partner for a number of Departments within the College, taking responsibility for supporting the delivery of all aspects of operational financial management, to include:

• Development of financial plans in conjunction with Business Area management in line with College strategic priorities, whilst providing a challenge function;
• Supporting budget holders to effectively carry out their financial duties by monitoring financial performance, undertaking analysis and investigation of key variances, development of proposals for corrective action and forecasting to year end;
• Interpretation of financial and statistical information, including support in preparation of budget holder reports;
• Provision of Business Case support /costing and options analysis / ad hoc financial analysis for decision making;
• Efficiency planning;
• Financial risk management.

7. External Links and Partnerships

• To develop and strengthen partnerships and alliances with stakeholders, other education providers, employers, professional bodies, referral agencies and appropriate Government departments.
• To represent the College at appropriate meetings and events as required.
• To help instil and develop a dynamic, innovative and entrepreneurial culture in the College and with its students to enable adaptation to external changes, response to opportunities, maximisation of income generation and maintenance of a position at the forefront of excellence and best practice.

8. General

• Promote, implement and ensure compliance with all College policies and procedures including equality of opportunity, audit and risk, health and safety, safeguarding, HRM, discipline, for all staff within the function.
• Consistently implement policies, strategies and mechanisms which meet legislative and other best practice requirements.
• To drive continuous improvement and to promote a culture of innovation in support services.
• To deputise for Group Management Accountant as required.