AGM - Finance

About Sancta Maria

Sancta Maria International School is an international curriculum, co-educational day school in Hyderabad. The school is part of the Saint Mary’s Educational Society founded in 1982.  Founded in 2010, we are a Cambridge Pathway School affiliated to the Cambridge International board offering learners from Cambridge Early Years to Grade 12, a seamless progression across Cambridge Early Years, Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge Upper Secondary and Cambridge Advanced stages. Sancta Maria is also a Cambridge approved Professional Development Centre offering a range of Cambridge assessed qualifications in teaching and learning.

Our vision is to unlock the potential of every learner for a better world. We value our community relationships with parents and families, and together, we do the best for our children as partners and critical friends. Sancta Maria is driven by the motto ‘In Omnia Excellentia’, which means ‘Excellence in Everything’.

Sancta Maria and International Schools Partnership

One of our commitments to achieve our vision is to build meaningful partnerships with global organisations for a lasting positive impact. We believe the next stage of our development will be greatly enhanced by our association with the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a leading global educational provider with a network of over 81 schools around the world.

Through this association International Schools Partnership (ISP) will be offering service arrangements to the school and together, we strive towards creating an amazing learning experience for learners and teachers; operate effectively; and learn continuously. Please go through the annexure for more information.

Finance Manager - Role Profile

Purpose of Role  

The Finance Manager’s role enhances and improves the financial operations and governance of the school environment. This position is responsible for the accounting, financial reporting and financial operations of the school, including the production of monthly financial reports, maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records, a comprehensive set of controls to mitigate risk, enhance the accuracy of the schools reported financial results, and ensure that reported results comply with international financial reporting standards.

Key Responsibilities 

Core Finance:

• Oversee the operations of the Accounting Department, including the design of an organizational structure adequate for achieving the department's goals and objectives.
• Update and enhance the financial policies and procedures of the school 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 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.
• Monitor debt levels and compliance with debt covenants.
• Prepare monthly budget variance reports and work with the headmaster on corrective actions
• Provide financial analysis for decision support including capital investments, pricing decisions, and contract negotiations.
• Assist the group with gathering data and preparing reports for key personnel as requested.
• Ensure the school has the adequate insurance cover at all times.
• Liaise with suppliers and clients when needed to ensure the smooth running of the day-to-day operations.
• Reviewing operational contracts to ensure “best value” is achieved.
• Provide financial analysis for decision support including capital investments, pricing decisions, and contract negotiations.
• Assist the group with gathering data and preparing reports for key personnel as requested.
• Prepare and submit payroll to the bank.
• Supervise the Accounts Department, which includes enhancing the department development and setting the departmental objectives.
• Enforcing the group authorization limits table.
• Ad hoc duties as required.

Specific areas of responsibility:

HR

• Work with school HR to ensure Group and local regulatory compliance of employees.
• Manage with the support of HR the PRO for the school and ensure government compliance is maintained including reporting and licensing.
• Ensure that all details that flow from Workday to the payroll system are accurate and correct.

Facilities & Operations

• Work with school AGM - Operations to ensure budget is appropriately allocated to ensure the keep and maintenance of the building.
• Monitor the financial progression of CAPEX projects with Regional Head of Operations and ensure budget targets are met.
• Work with AGM to maximize income from external sources such as letting of facilities.

Procurement

• Overseeing procurement of goods and services using best practice model and ensuring best value
• Establishing of robust systems of control for purchase of goods and services
• Ensure that an inventory of assets is prepared and maintained.

Administration

• Ensure that the school is fully compliant.
• Establish effective whole school administrative functions which deliver outcomes within the school’s vision.
• Establish and use effective methods to review and improve administrative systems.
• Ensure all appropriate records are maintained.

General Areas of Responsibility

• Prepare business cases for areas such as accommodation, transport, ICT infrastructure, service contracts such as catering and landscaping etc with respective functional heads.
• Advise the SLT immediately where mismanagement of school funds is suspected, or value compromised.
• Work with school Admissions team and with Regional Head of Admissions to ensure that the school is on track to achieve its targets. Monitor progress and raise any concerns as and when required.
• Seek professional advice on insurance and advise the HOS on appropriate insurances for the school and implement and manage such schemes accordingly
• Undertake such other reasonable responsibilities and tasks that may, from time to time, be assigned by the International Schools Partnership team.
• Any other duties that the HOS may from time to time ask the post-holder to perform

Team Size 

• This position will manage a team of three members. 

Reporting 

• Direct reporting to the Head of the School and dotted line to regional finance function. 

Experience 

• A Qualified Chartered Accountant having post qualification experience of 8 -12 years.

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.

ISP Leadership Competencies

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 and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, 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.