Appointment Brief

Director of Finance December 2021 | Reference: FWAAD

WYCOMBE ABBEY

WYCOMBE ABBEY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

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An Introduction Situated on 170 acres of beautiful Buckinghamshire parkland, Wycombe Abbey is a world-class boarding

school for girls. Founded in 1896 by Dame Frances Dove, a trailblazer who promoted equal

opportunities for girls in the Victorian age, Wycombe Abbey’s first cohort numbered just 40 girls. Today

Wycombe Abbey educates around 660 pupils ages 11-18, the vast majority of whom are full boarders.

The School’s aims remain the same as those established by Dame Frances – to encourage pupils in the

pursuit of academic excellence, to develop each individual’s talents in creative, physical, and social skills,

and the encouragement of faith in God and service to other people, all in a happy, fulfilling, and caring

community.

Wycombe Abbey has a strong tradition of academic and co-curricular excellence, and pupils regularly go

on to gain places at top universities in the UK and the US predominantly. Wycombe Abbey believes that

education should not simply be about delivering a curriculum and examination syllabus, but that real

learning stems from stimulating intellectual curiosity and nurturing a love for the subjects being taught.

The School seeks to enable girls to open their minds and to develop their personal passions in a learning

environment that is supportive, yet challenging, with a sense that pupils and their teachers are on an

educational journey together. Wycombe Abbey prides itself on the outstanding teaching provided by

specialists who communicate a genuine love of their subjects and serve to inspire the girls they teach.

Beyond the core academic curriculum, Wycombe Abbey has a myriad of resources to allow pupils to

explore their interests and passions. Girls at Wycombe Abbey enjoy a wide variety of opportunities in

the arts, including visual art, dance, drama, and music, and nearly three-quarters of the girls play at least

one musical instrument. The School also boasts an impressive sporting reputation, with Wycombe Abbey

girls frequently going on to compete at local, regional, national, and international level. Pupils are also

encouraged to take advantage of the array of clubs and societies, school trips, and service opportunities

on offer.

There are approximately 420 staff in total of whom 115 are teaching staff and 90 are resident.

WYCOMBE ABBEY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

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The Role

Wycombe Abbey is seeking an experienced Director of Finance to support the Bursar and Council in the

financial management of the School, and to lead and oversee the financial functions of the School, its four

subsidiary companies, and two trusts, ensuring statutory compliance with HMC and Charity Commission

requirements. The Director of Finance will have considerable responsibility for managing the School’s

finances, and will provide regular briefings to both the Executive Leadership Team and the Governing

Council.

The Director of Finance will lead the Finance Department, comprising the Management Accountant, the

Payroll Manager, the Finance Officer, and three Accounts staff. They will also manage the School Shop

team, comprising a Shop Manager, Deputy Shop Manager, and three Shop Assistants.

Director of Finance

WYCOMBE ABBEY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

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Key Responsibilities

General Financial Management

• Work with the Bursar, Headmistress, and Council to implement the School’s strategic financial objectives

• Bring financial risks and opportunities to the attention of the Bursar and Governors and conduct modelling and feasibility studies

• Ensure financial systems and controls are efficient and effective, eliminating and minimising the opportunity for financial malpractice

• Prepare papers for, attend, and contribute to the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the Governing Council

• Prepare long-term forecasts and sensitivity analysis • Undertake competitor analysis and benchmarking studies • Retain financial awareness of external changes and development and provide recommendations

and advice to the Bursar, including a thorough knowledge of relevant accounting requirements, such as GAAPs, FRSs and the Charity Commission SORP

• Proactively investigate and promote ways of improving value for money Departmental Management

• Line manage direct reports and ensure proper line management of all department members • Ensure annual performance reviews and appropriate professional development are carried out

for all team members • Advise the Bursar on the optimal structure and resources for the Department • Ensure the Finance Department offers a high quality and accessible service to both internal and

external customers Accounting and Finance

• Ensure the School’s accounting records, bank reconciliations, fees ledger, purchase ledger, nominal ledger, and fixed assets register are maintained accurately and kept up to date in accordance with agreed timetables and procedures

• Oversee the staff and systems delivering all salaries and ensure that wages, including PAYE, pension and NI contributions are paid correctly, ensuring compliance with regulations for benefits in kind and all other taxation matters

• Oversee the preparation of monthly and termly management accounts for the School and subsidiaries

• Manage the annual budget cycle and the preparation of the annual forecast and budget for each academic year

• Prepare the annual consolidated and subsidiary statutory accounts for the School and its subsidiaries

• Liaise with external auditors on all matters connected with the annual audit of the School’s accounts and other external accountancy advice

• Ensure compliance with external regulators, including HMRC, the Charity Commission, ONS and Companies House

• Prepare and submit accurate and timely tax returns and tax reclaims • Support the Development Office in all financial matters relating to fundraising • Manage and control fee collection and the associated billing cycle

WYCOMBE ABBEY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

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• Manage the Composition Fee Scheme (fees in advance) and the investment of the Composition Fee Fund

• Oversee the School’s financial investments, including liaison and review with the School’s investment advisors/managers

• Manage the financial aspects of the Bursary application and funding process • Manage and develop the School’s accounting and finance systems (Sage 200, Feemaster, SAP

Concur, Blue Runner, etc) School Shop

• Ensure the School Shop provides the required service offering to parents and pupils • Ensure the School Shop operates efficiently and meets profit targets • Review the School shop delivery and overarching provision on a regular basis

Other Duties

• Ensure the School has adequate insurances and that periodic reviews of insurance requirements and broking services are carried out

• Manage long term service supply contracts, including those for utilities • Assist with the management of commercial and letting activity • Any other duties to assist in the smooth running of the Bursary and the Finance function;

undertake agreed project work for the School as directed by the Bursar

WYCOMBE ABBEY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

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Person Specification The successful candidate will be ACA, ACCA, or CIMA-qualified and a communicative leader,

capable of winning trust. They will bring:

• Strong technical and commercial knowledge

• A successful track record of leading and developing a finance team in the commercial,

educational, or charity sectors

• Knowledge of the charities SORP

• Demonstrable negotiation skills and experience

• A sound working knowledge of VAT and tax matters

• Significant experience using accounting software packages and advanced knowledge of Excel

The successful candidate will have the proven ability to:

• Work as part of an operational leadership team to support colleagues in other departments with

financial management and planning

• Present complex financial information in a way that is accessible to the non-specialist

• Delegate effectively

• Work under pressure to meet deadlines while maintaining the utmost accuracy and remaining

calm

• Adapt to changing demands and conditions

• Manage and deliver change programmes when necessary

The successful candidate will also have:

• Meticulous attention to detail in both their own work and when reviewing work and outputs

from the department

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills

• The ability to build strong relationships with colleagues Council members, parents and external

agencies

• Discretion when handling confidential data and the ability to act with tact and diplomacy

Audit training and/or experience working in practice is desirable, but not essential.

WYCOMBE ABBEY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

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Terms of Appointment

The salary will be dependent on experience and will be commensurate with the seniority and level of

responsibility for this role. The post holder will be automatically enrolled into the qualifying works

pension scheme.

Wycombe Abbey offers benefits including:

• Death in Service Life Cover at 3 times the post holder’s annual salary

• Free meals during the working day

• Fee remission is available for daughters attending the School, subject to the usual entry

requirements and space being available

• Sports Centre facilities (swimming pool, squash courts, fitness suite etc) are available for staff use

• Free parking on site.

Wycombe Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to

an enhanced DBS check and other statutory checks. Wycombe Abbey is an equal opportunities

employer. Registered Charity No. 310638.

How to Apply

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Wycombe Abbey on this

appointment.

Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code

FWAAD.

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload an application form and cover letter.

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday, 7 January 2022.

First Stage interviews will be held on Friday, 14 January 2022.

WYCOMBE ABBEY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

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