About LCBT

London College of Beauty Therapy (LCBT) is the leading specialist college for beauty and related industries. Founded in 1995, the college is now the largest in the UK delivering approx 30% of NVQ Beauty Therapy qualifications in London and the provider nationally of the Diploma in Retail Beauty Consultancy, developed by LCBT with key employers in the industry. The college is funded directly by the SFA and YPLA, as well as ESF programmes. LCBT holds the following quality standards:

  • OFSTED – Grade 2
  • Matrix Standard for Internal and External Advice, Information and Guidance
  • Investors in People Silver Standard

LCBT is open all year, operates without term breaks and offers monthly enrolment for classroom based delivery meeting the needs of learners and employers, by open access to learning throughout the year and offering opportunity to employers to qualified therapists through the in house Job Shop brokerage service. Learners are able to progress to higher levels without a break, moving into employment quickly; it is possible for Level 2 and 3 to be completed within 15 months.

The college policy of enrolment is – Careers not Courses – built around our distinctive pre-enrolment policy designed to establish learners’ needs, aims and aspirations to work in the industry and place them on the appropriate course which directly contributes to the outstanding success and progression on to further education and employment. The LCBT Job Shop monitors learner progression into further education and employment and reports positive progression rates of 92%. The Job Shop consistently advertises an average 500 jobs on behalf of the wide range of employers that LCBT engages with.

LCBT will enrol approximately 1300 learners this year for Beauty Therapy NVQ and qualifications. Enrolment numbers increase year on year and yet demand from learners and employers still heavily outweighs the places available. LCBT’s Central London location and world renowned reputation for quality attracts learners from 44 Local Authorities in London and the South East.

Specialist short course delivery is focused on industry needs and paid for directly by the learner or employer. This provision is planned toincrease significantly with the recent addition of extra building capacity.

Work Based Learning provision has seen significant expansion over the past two years with further expansion planned for 2011/12.

National delivery of the Retail Beauty qualification at Level 2 delivered entirely within the workplace has been taken up by over 40 major companies. Approximately 1200 retail consultants undertook the qualification in 2010/11. Companies have reported positive impact/increased business and a number of other major companies are looking to either pilot or roll this out to sales counter staff nationally. The introduction of the Level 3 qualification provides further progression opportunities for staff working within this priority sector. The number of candidates undertaking a retail qualification nationally is expected to double in 2011/12

The success of the Retail Beauty qualification led to the appointment of LCBT as lead for the West End Skill Shop (WESS). Flagship of the National Skills Academy for Retail, national network of Skill Shops. WESS launched in early 2011 as the one-stop-shop for retailers and clients looking to secure employment within the retail sector.

LCBT are also the lead for Retail, beauty and general, at the new Westfield site in Stratford. Significant delivery is due to be rolled out from February 2012. Seetec are leading the Skills Academy at Stratford, delivering pre-employment training, with LCBT as lead partner for Apprenticeship delivery.

LCBT will continue to work with schools in the delivery of the Hair and Beauty Diploma for 14-16 year olds. Further opportunities for engaging with this age group will be key.

Other opportunities for expansion include the care sector, distance learning and the overseas market.

Job Description

Job Title: Management Accountant

Department/Division:Finance

Salary: £TBC

Hours:37.5 hour week. Monday to Friday

Reports to:Financial Controller

Supervised by:Financial Controller

Period of appointment:Permanent

Probationary period: 6 months

Overall Purpose of the job and key results areas:

This role is within the Finance Team, and is to ensure that management accounts and related information are readily available to the College. Accuracy, thoroughness and being able to work under pressure is therefore essential to the role.

The main objectives of the post are to assist the Financial Controller and Finance Director by:

  • Developing and enhancing the management accounting function in order to meet the future business needs of the College and to add value.
  • Providing greater financial visibility across the College through the development of comprehensive, timely and accurate management accounting.
  • Contributing to the development, implementation and maintenance of effective planning, reporting and control systems.
  • Maintaining and developing resource budget monitoring and acting as a point of contact to staff regarding all aspects of budgeting.

The Finance Department is a support service department to the college, the post holder is therefore expected to maintain and ensureexceptional high standards of customer service and communication both internally and externally across all areas and we aim to provide a professional service to all staff at LCBT. It is a key requirement of this role that all communication is dealt with effectively, efficiently and in a friendly and professional manner at all times

This role requires flexible attitude at all levels. The post holder will work closely with the all members of the department including the Financial Controller to provide any assistance as required.

All aspects of LCBT services are subject to ongoing evaluation and improvement through a range of methods including feedback from learners, clients, visitors and staff. You will be expected to work towards the continuous improvement of all feedback and results of the service delivery in this area.

Most learners on programme receive all or at least some of the funding for their course through the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) or Education Funding Agency (EFA) and a range of other funding bodies. As such, the department is required to maintain meticulous records and tracking system and comply with the comprehensive internal audit controls and relevant external guidance. As a team member, you will be required to maintain systems and assist with any audit requirements and/or preparation of audits and inspections, internally and externally.

Key responsibilities

  • To support the Financial Controller in all matters concerning the Management Accounts and Finance function.
  • Day to day management of Finance team.
  • Continuous improvement of month-end procedures and management reports in consultation with the Financial Controller and Finance Director.
  • Monitoring of monthly management accounts for the College.
  • Preparation of detailed monthly management reports including both financial and non financial KPI’s.
  • Assist in the preparation of statutory financial statements and working papers.
  • Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and financial forecasts.
  • Assist in the design, implementation of financial controls and the monitoring of expenditure against revenue budgets.
  • Control and monitoring of planned levels of expenditure of capital budgets.
  • Assist in the preparation of daily and monthly cash flow forecast for up to 3 years ahead.
  • Checking and authorisation of sales ledger, cash and purchase ledger journals.
  • Regular checking of the ledgers to ensure that all items are posted correctly.
  • Preparation of relevant papers for external audit and ensuring of agreed recommendations are implemented.
  • Project management and taking the lead role of special projects as required e.g. update of financial package.
  • Deputise for the Financial Controller as required.
  • Assist in preparing quarterly VAT returns.
  • Maintenance of Sage.
  • Preparation of the year-end calendar.
  • Preparation and maintenance of the year-end audit files
  • Ensure the safety of your area by complying with all Health & Safety policies and procedures and reporting any issues to the Health & Safety Manager without delay.
  • Work effectively, efficiently and flexibly as an effective and committed member of the overall college team and within the department team.
  • Manage work efficiently and effectively to ensure achievement of individual and team targets.
  • Ensure prompt response time to any enquiry.
  • Provide effective communication in a professional manner and one which is both informative and conducive to maintaining the college's high reputation within education and industry.
  • Adhere to all established systems within the department and implement any changes only as requested/authorised by management.
  • Maintain accurate tracking systems as required within the department and ensure that all work meets internal and external funding, audit and inspection requirements.
  • Ensure accurate record and data entry onto all systems as required by the department and management to enable accurate and full reporting.
  • Attend meetings as required to maintain knowledge and contribute to improvement of services.
  • Attend any training identified by your line manager or management as required to meet business needs or professional development. Keep up to date in subject area and actively participate in staff development.
  • Assume other duties in keeping with the role that may be required from time to time to cover holiday or staff absence.

This list is not exhaustive.

Personal Specification

Skills, knowledge and abilities essential to the role

Education and Qualifications

  • AAT qualified or equivalent
  • Part qualified ACCA, CIMA (2nd year) or equivalent
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

Experience

  • Experience of preparing detailed monthly Management Accounts
  • Experience of preparing detailed monthly KPI Reports
  • Experience of budgetary control and implementing budgetary control systems
  • Experience of preparing Financial Accounts
  • Good knowledge of computerised financial accounting systems
  • Strong IT skills
  • Self motivated.
  • Excellent communication, written and numerical skills
  • Ability to deal professionally with a wide range of people.
  • Very strong attention to detail and ability to work with a high level of accuracy
  • Able to handle multiple tasks at any one time
  • Able to work independently or as part of a team
  • The ability to be assertive and to respond promptly to problems.
  • Excellent time management and prioritisation skills, ability to work under pressure and to deadlines including dealing with difficult and stressful situations.
  • Proven ability to encourage and achieve continuous departmental improvement
  • Good organisational skills.

Computer skills:

  • Must have advanced Excel skills and must also be adept in use of other MS Office 2003/2007applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and ideally Access or similar database.

Skills, knowledge and abilities highly desirable to the role

  • Significant experience in a Finance Department in the FE sector
  • Knowledge of Sage 50,100 or Sage 200
  • Recent management/supervisory experience
  • Effective team player
  • Work in a professional manner in a team environment
  • Embrace change and open to new ideas.
  • Adaptability (a propensity to be flexible where necessary).
  • Effective team player.
  • Professional and approachable.

Special requirements

  • Employees have a particular responsibility for ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and College data.
  • To keep updated and maintain CPD including attending internal/external seminars/workshops etc.

Safeguarding, Every Child Matters & The Common Inspection Framework

These are key policy documents. It is essential that all staff are familiar with these standards, working within the best practice guidelines and attend any training that may be identified by your line manager in relation to these policies.

The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This document should therefore be read in conjunction with the College’s Safeguarding, Every Child Matters Policy and the Common Inspection Framework.

Equality of Opportunity and Diversity

The College has a strong commitment to working towards the implementation of equality of opportunity and diversity in both service delivery and employment. The College’s mission and strategic objectives directly support this aim. All employees are required to actively support the development, dissemination and implementation of this aim and related policies and programmes.

General

  • Work flexibly and efficiently to maintain the highest professional standards and to promote and implement the policies of the College.
  • Comply with health and safety legislation and EC Directives.
  • Comply with any rules and regulations which the College may from time to time issue to ensure the efficient operation of its business and the welfare and interest of its employees and learners.
  • Comply with all Departmental and College Policies.
  • Participate in the Staff Development, Review and Appraisal Scheme.
  • Undertake such duties and/or hours of work as may reasonably be required, commensurate with this post and general level of responsibility, at your main place of work or at any other establishment for which the College provides services.

The duties for this position may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed.

I have read and fully understood the above job description.

Signed:______Name:______Date______

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