Head of Finance

• Jun 2016 - Present

Finance Director

• Oct 2014 - May 2016

Acting Head of Assurance

• Apr 2014 - Oct 2014

Responsible for collating assurance from, and monitoring the financial health of, more than 4,000 academies and 300 other providers across England. Responsibility for:• Writing annual assurance plan;• Delivery of annual assurance plan;• Writing annual assurance statement and report;• Provider financial management and governance reviews / visits;• Provider financial statements reviews;• Provider budget forecast return reviews;• Provider funding audits.

External Assurance Manager

• Apr 2012 - Mar 2014

Manager of a team of 18 staff responsible for collating assurance from, and monitoring the financial health of, more than 1,000 academies and 50 other providers in the EFA’s Central territory:• National lead for academy financial management and governance reviews / visits;• Reviewing academy financial statements and projections;• Financial intervention casework at failing academies;• Assessing requests for financial support, advances of funding and merger support;• Considering applications from academies to expand provision;• Preparing ministerial submissions, board papers and reports. Show less

Financial Support Manager

• Apr 2010 - Mar 2012

Direct line management responsibilities for 8 staff members responsible for collating assurance and monitoring the financial health of academies / other providers in the YPLA’s East territory. Direct line management responsibilities for 8 staff members responsible for collating assurance and monitoring the financial health of academies / other providers in the YPLA’s East territory.

Provider Financial Support Manager / Principal Auditor

• Mar 2005 - Mar 2010

As Provider Financial Support Manager (Jan 07 to Mar 10): Responsible for monitoring the financial health of education providers: • Reviewing capital applications including investment appraisals; • Reviewing college financial statements, financial plans and finance records; • Recommending Notices to Improve and reviewing recovery plans; • Assessing requests for exceptional financial support, advances and merger support; • Monthly management accounts reviews, providing feedback to relevant colleagues. Principal Auditor (Mar 05 to Dec 06) Responsible for providing assurance on the use of funds by providers and managing a team of staff: • Financial Management and Governance reviews at colleges and other providers; • Preparing annual audit plan and monitoring progress; • Delegating work to, and motivating, junior members of staff; • Reviewing audit files prepared by junior members of staff; • Preparing and reviewing audit reports. Show less

Senior Auditor

• Jan 2003 - Mar 2005

Assurance and Advisory Officer

• Aug 1998 - Dec 2002