Finance Administrators and Bursars Group Jan Powley and Liz Burden 12 November 2014

Agenda Welcome and Introductions – Jan Powley Finance Survey Results – Liz Burden SFVS – Jan Powley FPS Update – Liz Burden Presentation by Schools HR team – Sharon Dickman (am) Sharon-Harte Andrews (pm) Coffee Presentation by Internal Audit – Angela Shakespeare Finance/School Funding Update – Jan Powley Best Practice Questions and Close

Finance Survey Results Schools responded favourably with some constructive comments Generally the service is perceived as highly performing – and we wish to continue this! We constantly look to ways of improving our service We take on board your feedback – your feedback is important to us!

Finance Survey continued You said – we did! Date presentation for governors reports from FPS – FABs meeting demo by HCSS End of financial year checklist – now available on the grid BACS payments – schools now using internet payments and Finance Manual up dated to include references for paying by BACS/Internet Banking

Finance Survey continued Training courses and guides on HCSS School Plan module – we are happy to provide training Send out the FABs agenda in advance and ask schools for suggestions - done

Finance Survey Comments from recent survey: Training of new business managers More information on monthly income spreadsheet – Scheme 1 bank schools Delays in responses when advisers are out of the office Banking visits for the following year Help understanding budget allocations

Finance Survey Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) – Conflicting Feedback Support for schools considering converting to an Academy

Q2 - If you are currently receiving the following services or have done in the past how would you rate them?

SFVS All maintained schools completed the standard 23 questions Schools indicating Partial or No

SFVS continued Question 1 – Does the governing body have adequate financial skills among its members to fulfil its role of challenge and support in the field of budget management and value for money? Question 2 – Does the governing body have a finance committee with clear terms of reference and a knowledgeable and experienced chair?

SFVS continued Question 5 – Are business interests of governing body members and staff properly registered and taken into account so as to avoid conflicts of interest? Question 8 – Is there a clear and demonstrable link between the school’s budgeting and its plan for raising standards and attainment?

SFVS continued Question 15 – does the school maintain its premises and other assets to an adequate standard to avoid future urgent need for replacement?

FPS Update Pension Rates National Insurance changes from April 2016 Living Wage Enhancements for 2015/16

School Funding Update 2 Year Old Funding Early Years Pupil Premium Additional £2.5m AWPU, Prior Attainment, MFG No scaling back of gains Additional £665k 75% AWPU and 25% IDACI PFI factor

Best Practice – Petty Cash Poorly administered in some schools Some schools claim not to use it! Top-up monthly to your authorised “imprest” level

Best Practice and Guidance Autumn term recompense up to and including 31 st December – by 16 January 2015 Regular reconciliation of VAT control accounts When a VAT error occurs please process the correction Proforma invoices and VAT School Census LMS Team meetings Egress Switch

Best Practice and Guidance Phone Bills – Toll Fraud/Phreaking Website Publishing Detail code for cash collections CFR link for UIFSM grant Consistent Financial Reporting Guide School Financial Benchmarking website

Info about BT billing: Call BT on Quote Account Ref - LBC VP Ask for an itemised bill for the month required and for the phone line BT should be able to you a copy of this - any problems contact Anayet Rashid on