About CATS Global Schools
CATS Global Schools is a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers.
With a history dating back to 1899, but a focus on the future, our group brings together 16 institutions comprising independent boarding schools, an Arts University College, English language schools and a variety of summer programmes in the UK, US, Canada, and China.
Each year, we provide 18,000 students around the globe with the education they need to develop real-life skills for the future. We are dedicated to academic excellence and our students benefit from our well-developed links to over 40 top global universities.
We create a positive learning environment where every student is empowered to make a contribution to shape their world. This is made possible because of the commitment of our pioneering, persevering people who do the very best for our students.
Role Overview
The role of Finance Business Partner is an essential role within the FP&A Department. The role is key to deliver the effective communication of financial reporting and objectives to the business. The Finance Business Partner will provide critical support to key business stakeholders to deliver concise and accurate reporting and conduct detailed analysis to identify trends that drive business decision making.
This role will work closely with the Finance Teams, Central Teams, and the schools to ensure the monthly financial analysis and annual budgets are communicated clearly and concisely to the CGS Group.
This role will act as a link between the finance team and the wider business, and as a result it is key to work with non-financial departments to help improve their understanding of financial reporting, provide training, and deliver insight to drive efficiencies.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Finance Department
Executive Team and MD’s
School Principals
Central Teams (Sales, Marketing, P&E, IT)
REPORTS TO
You will be reporting to the FP&A Director.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
To take full responsibility and accountability for monthly financial reports that are issued to the business, ensuring these are accurate (right first time) and issued on a timely basis.
To support management accounting team to review monthly account and make sure it’s efficient and accruate
To support budget holders and operational teams with accurate financial reporting and detailed budget reviews to ensure each budget owner has clarity on the current position of monthly and year to date operational spend vs budget.
To help in the provision of financial analysis for internal management accounts and CFO review on a monthly basis, maintaining a quality output, clearly presented with relevant commentary.
Drive development on PowerBI dashboards reporting to improve report quality and accessibility
Drive the budget process and stakeholder communication during the budget setting process to ensure that costs and revenues are accurately forecasted and recorded.
Provide value-add advice to schools and department heads where appropriate to help improve financial performance based on sound data-driven analytical evidence.
To support the local school management teams by providing relevant financial reporting information to enable them to effectively manage their budgets and to provide commercial input into the team on capital investments and projects.
Project work as required, including return on investment modelling, challenging academic staff on their requests, investigative analysis on transactional reporting.
Assist in the development of detailed financial forecasting including underlying vs exceptional cost categorisation, constant currency analysis, and regular balance sheet reviews.
Assist in the development and maintenance of rolling 5-year strategic plans.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
To strive for continuous improvement, constantly adapting and developing financial reporting for improved efficiencies or improved clarity.
The role is expected to be approximately 50% communicating with the group; 30% analysis, report development; 20% challenging the way we do things and focusing on process improvement.
This last 20% is critical as the business is currently complex in nature with limited system driven reporting in place.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the following skills, capabilities, and attributes:
A fully qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CFA with at least 3 years previous Financial Analytics experience
Have a track record of using strong people skills to drive effective stakeholder communication to the wider business
Strong work ethic, with a willingness to set high personal goals and embrace stretch targets
Demonstrate good attention to detail and good judgement, showing logical decision making and a hands-on approach
A hard working, diligent and a team player. Someone who can successfully engage at all levels of the business
A self-starter, enthusiastic with the ability to operate in a dynamic environment
A positive attitude and an ability to develop strong working relationships
A collaborative approach to embrace teamwork across the business
Educated to degree level or similar
Previous experience in an analytical role
Proactive approach to problem-solving
Strong use of Microsoft Excel, experienced on PowerBI
BENEFITS
Cycle to work Scheme
Tech Scheme
Car Scheme
Free flu vaccine through Healthshield
Free eye tests
Financial wellbeing support via WageStream
Employee Assistance Programme
Group income protection
GP24: GP Access for all
Health Cash Plan
Death in Service
Long service awards
Employee referral scheme
Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
We are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Building on our core values Pioneering, Persevering, People We pledge to deliver a series of events, guest speakers and focus groups to make CATS Global Schools and employer of choice for all.
SAFEGUARDING
CGS is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of children and young people. As such, appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment employment checks in line with KCSIE guidelines. This will include satisfactory references, enhanced DBS from the Disclosures and Barring Service and, where applicable, any international equivalent being obtained. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online checks which may include social media.
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