Schools Finance - Norfolk · 2014-09-21 · Schools Financial Value Standard Page 21The courses in this section are specifically Budget Planner Software Page 22 Key Financial Controls

Schools FinanceSchools FinanceSchools Finance Training & DevelopmentTraining & DevelopmentTraining & Development

Finance StaffFinance StaffFinance Staff 201420142014---151515

This training programme has been specifically designed to provide new and

existing school Finance Staff and Business Managers with the financial skills and knowledge

needed to effectively operate and manage finances within schools.

Over the next 2 pages you will find a list of all the courses in the programme. Clicking on a

page number will take you to detailed course information and provide you with a link to the

course booking website where you can search for available dates and book yourself a place.

Finance &Finance & SoftwareSoftware TrainingTraining

20142014--1515

Schools FinanceSchools Finance

New Finance Staff Induction Page 1

Purchasing & Expenditure Page 2

Income & Banking Page 3

Month End Page 4

Core Skills

Further Skills

Welcome!Welcome!Welcome!

The courses in this section relate to the

essential operational skills required by all

finance staff working within schools. They

cover the core functionality of Star Accounts

as well as related financial procedures.

The courses in this section are aligned to

skills that may be required by finance staff

depending on their responsibilities at the

school. For example, your school may have

decided to purchase the Star Accounts

Asset Register, in which case, a bespoke

course is available to learn how to use it.

Each course includes practical training on

using the required software as well as full

guidance on accompanying procedures.

Year End Page 5

Dinner Monies Database Page 6

School Fund Page 7

Administering Lettings Page 8

Sickness Insurance Returns Page 9

Petty Cash Page 10

Trading Accounts Page 11

Activity Accounts Page 12

Purchasing Cards Page 13

Star Accounts Asset Register Page 14

Continued

Information about the link between Training and the Finance RAG Matrix for new and existing

finance staff can be found on Page 26. Booking instructions and our Cancellation Policy can

be found on Page 28. Venue information can be found on Page 29.

Financing Your School Page 15

Building Your Budget Page 16

Keeping Control of Your Finances Page 17

Revising Your Budget Page 18

Capital Funding Page 19

Staff Monitoring Page 20

Schools Financial Value Standard Page 21

Budget Planner Software Page 22

Key Financial Controls Page 23

VAT For Schools Page 24

Star Refresher Page 25

Budgeting Skills

The courses in this section are relevant to

Finance Staff and Business Managers that

have responsibility for the school budget.

They include plenty of practical exercises to

help you understand and apply key financial

management skills.

Refreshers

The courses in this section are specifically

designed as refreshers for important

areas of finance that are often subject to

changes in legislation or procedure.

All courses of the Finance Staff Training Programme are provided at no

Additional charge if your school has purchased a Finance Support Package

for 2014-15.

Return

Description

During this 3 hour visit, the school ’ s Finance Support Officer will provide an

overview of the essential elements of school finances and explain other training

opportunities that are available.

This course is available for all new school finance staff as part of the Finance

Support Package purchased by the school. The session will be booked on an

individual basis by your school ’ s Finance Support Officer.

Roles and responsibilities for school finance

School Budgets

Financial procedures and controls

Operating Star Accounts

Sources of information

Key contact details

Completion of the New Finance Staff Questionnaire

Finance training requirements

Content

Target Audience

New Finance Staff Induction Core Skills

1

There is no charge for this course if your school

has purchased a Finance Support Package for

2014-15.

3 Hours Duration

Return to Contents

Click to search for available dates

and make a booking.

Description

This course focuses on all aspects of recording expenditure within schools. It

provides more detailed training on purchasing regulations, raising orders,

accounting for VAT and recording individual transactions as well as how to fix

common problems that occur.

Finance staff with responsibility for raising orders and recording expenditure

through Star Accounts.

Purchasing regulations

Raising orders and reviewing commitments

Checking and paying invoices

Multiple coding transactions

Future year payments

VAT on expenditure transactions

Problem solving

Reversing transactions

Key financial controls

Content

Purchasing & Expenditure Core Skills

2

09:30 - 16:00 Duration



2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience

http://www.eficts.norfolk.gov.uk/Finance/Training/booking/courses.asp?courseID=152&action=Course%20Selected


and make a booking.

Description

Finance staff with responsibility for raising invoices and recording income through

Star Accounts.

Raising standard invoices

Processing income transactions

Accounting for VAT on income transactions

Problem solving

Banking procedures

Key financial controls

Bad debt procedures

Content

This course focuses on recording income within Star Accounts. It provides more

detailed training on raising standard invoices, accounting for VAT, chasing for

bad debts and recording individual transactions as well as how to fix common

problems that occur.

Income & Banking Core Skills

3

Duration 09:30 - 16:00



2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience


Description

The aim of this course is to ensure that delegates are able to effectively complete

a bank reconciliation and review the accounts prior to moving into the next

month. It provides plenty of guidance on how to check records and fix common

problems experienced at month end.

Finance staff with responsibility for processing and checking downloads and

running Period End on Star Accounts.

Processing and checking downloads

Processing a bank reconciliation

Problem solving at month end

Checking Month End Reports

Monthly Monitoring Reports

Reviewing commitment records

Month End Errors Report

Content

Month End Core Skills

3 Hours Duration


and make a booking.



2014-15.

4

Return to Contents

Target Audience


Description

This course provides practical based training on what to expect at Year End and

how to undertake the tasks involved.

This course is essential for a finance staff with responsibility for processing Year

End on Star Accounts.

Reviewing commitments

Entering accruals and prepayments

Bank reconciliation

Running year end

Processing downloads

Tidying up your accounts ready for the new financial year

Timescales and information required by CSF

Content

Target Audience

Year End Further Skills

5

3 Hours


and make a booking.

Duration



2014-15.

Return to Contents


Step-by-step training on how to use the Dinner Monies Database from setting up

the software through to recording meals eaten, payments received and banking.

Anyone that uses or would like to use the Dinner Monies Database to assist with

dinner money collection.

Setting up the database ready for use

Entering meal and milk requirements

Recording cash received

Entering banking details and rolling forward to the next week

Printing required weekly reports

Printing creditor and debtor letters

Description

Content

Dinner Monies Database Further Skills

6

3 Hours


and make a booking.

Duration



2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience


An interactive training course to ensure that delegates are aware of best practice

when accounting for the school fund. Includes practical instruction on how to

make best use of Star Accounts to administer the School Fund.

Staff responsible for the administration of the school fund.

Appropriate expenditure for the School Fund

Roles and responsibilities

Accounting for income and expenditure

Month end reconciliation

School fund audit requirements

Year end Balance Sheet

Using Star Accounts School Fund

Content

Description

School Fund Further Skills

7

3 Hours


and make a booking.

Duration



2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience


A practical course to provide instruction on how to effectively use the Debtors

functionality within Star Accounts to raise invoices for subsidised and non-

subsidised lettings that your school provides.

Staff who use Star Accounts for issuing invoices and maintaining subsidised and

non-subsidised lettings.

Setting up facilities and customers

Adding lettings

Entering and printing invoices

Receiving payments for invoices raised

Making and receiving subsidy claims

Reporting

Writing off Bad Debts

Content

Description

Administering Lettings Further Skills

8

3 Hours


and make a booking.

Duration



2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience


Description

An E-learning module to provide delegates with knowledge required to effectively

use the Sickness Insurance Database to process monthly returns.

Finance staff with responsibility for completing Sickness Insurance returns to

Norfolk County Council.

Understanding the NCC Sickness Insurance Scheme

Setting up the Sickness Insurance Database

Importing Staff details

Entering Contract details

Registering claims

Processing monthly returns

Content

Sickness Insurance E-Learning Further Skills

9

1 Hour Duration

To complete an E-Learning course you will need

access to the Internet and have Flash Player 10

(minimum) installed on your computer.

Click to make a booking.



2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience


Description

An E-learning module to provide delegates with knowledge required to effectively

control Petty Cash using Star Accounts.

Finance staff with responsibility for maintaining a Petty Cash tin and updating

Star Accounts.

School Finance Policy

Appropriate Petty Cash expenditure

Checking receipts and accounting for VAT

Adding Petty Cash transactions

Reconciling Petty Cash

Topping up Petty Cash

Content

Petty Cash E-Learning Further Skills

10

1 Hour Duration







2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience

http://www.eficts.norfolk.gov.uk/Finance/Training/booking/default.asp?courseID=1262&action=View%20More%20Details

Description

The aim of this E-Learning course is to provide you with the skills and knowledge

to accurately produce a Trading Account for items bought and resold to pupils.

School Finance Staff that have responsibility for creating a Trading Account for

items bought and resold to pupils.

Roles and Responsibilities

FIFO Method of Stock Valuation

Using the Stock Valuation Table

Constructing the Trading Account

Authorisation

Content

Trading Accounts E-Learning Further Skills

11

1 Hour Duration







2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience


Description

An E-Learning course which aims to provide the skills and knowledge required to

construct an Activity Account for a school trip.

School Finance Staff that have responsibility for creating Activity Accounts.

Roles & Responsibilities for Activity Accounts

Recording Income and Expenditure for School Trips

Creating the Activity Account

Authorisation

Reconciliation and Audit

Multiple Payments function on Star Accounts

Content

Activity Accounts E-Learning Further Skills

12

1 Hour Duration







2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience


Description

An E-learning course to provide delegates with the knowledge required to

effectively deal with the administration of Purchasing Cards using Barclaycard

Spend Management and Star Accounts.

Finance staff with responsibility for the administration of Purchasing Cards within

the school.

Purchasing Card procedures

Cardholder processes

Approver processes

Barclaycard Spend Management

Checking downloaded costs

Processing on Star Accounts

Content

Purchasing Cards E-Learning Further Skills

13

1.5 Hours Duration







2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience


Description

An E-learning module to provide instruction on using the Asset Register module

in Star Accounts.

Finance staff with responsibility for the administration of the Star Accounts Asset

Register.

Setting up the Asset Register

Entering Assets

Creating Maintenance and Safety Check Records

Registering loans, sales and disposals

Asset Reports

Content

Star Asset Register E-Learning Further Skills

14

1 Hour Duration



2014-15.

Return to Contents

Target Audience






This course focuses on the way that schools within Norfolk are funded by formula

and how schools may be able to generate additional income streams to assist in

the delivery of education.

Understanding Norfolk ’ s Funding Model

Linking strategic planning with generating income

Identifying additional income streams

Income related policies

Writing off bad debts

Description

Content

Target Audience

This course is ideal for Headteachers, Business Managers and Finance Staff that

are involved in the budget setting, monitoring and the financial management of

the school.

Financing Your School Budget Skills

15


and make a booking.

Duration 3 Hours



2014-15.

Return to Contents


This course focuses on the elements that make up a school budget and where

the information comes from. The course also includes the use of the Budget

Planner software.

Roles & responsibilities for setting the budget

Calculating a starting point for the budget

Accurately calculating staffing costs

Linking the SIDP priorities with the budget

Calculating future year income and expenditure projections

Using the Budget Planner Software

Balancing the budget

Description

Content

This course is ideal for Headteachers, Business Managers and Finance Staff

who need to understand the basics of budget setting and how to use the Budget

Planner software.

Building Your Budget Budget Skills

16


and make a booking.

Duration 09:30 - 16:00



2014-15.

Target Audience

Return to Contents


Description

This course will give delegates a practical understanding of how to monitor and

investigate school budgets using reports generated from Star Accounts.


who have responsibility for the school budget.

Roles & Responsibilities for budget monitoring

Identifying the elements of the Budget Cycle

Recognising the Importance of regular monitoring

Fully utilising reports from Star Accounts to make monitoring more effective

Setting up monitoring processes

The Financial RAG Matrix

Content

Keeping Control of Your Finances Budget Skills

17


and make a booking.

Duration 3 Hours



2014-15.

Target Audience

Return to Contents


This course will give delegates the practical skills needed to complete a Budget

Revision using the Budget Planner Software.

Why do we revise the budget?

The Budget Cycle

Revising the Budget in line with Monitoring and SIDP

Using the Budget Planner Software

Description

Content


who have responsibility for setting and monitoring the school budget.

Revising Your Budget Budget Skills

18


and make a booking.

Duration 3 Hours



2014-15.

Target Audience

Return to Contents


This E-Learning course focuses on the capital funding allocation. It includes

information on the rules around what it can be spent on, the process for applying

to spend capital money and how it can be monitored.

This course is ideal for Governors, Headteachers, Business Managers and

Finance Staff who have responsibility for the school budget.

Capital Funding & Allocation

Categories of Capital

Applicable Expenditure

Capital Spending Process

Asset Management Plans

Capital Reports on Star Accounts

Description

Content

Capital Funding E-Learning Budget Skills

19

Duration 1.5 Hours



2014-15. To complete an E-Learning course you will need




Target Audience

Return to Contents


This course is all about the Staff Monitoring Reports held within Star Accounts

and the link to the Budget.

Staffing Forecasts in the Budget Planner Software

Staff Budget profiles

Staff records in Star Accounts

Understanding the Staff Monitoring Reports

Solving common problems

Description

Content

This course is ideal for Headteachers, Business Managers and Finance Staff that

are involved in the setting and monitoring of staff budgets.

Staff Monitoring Budget Skills

20


and make a booking.

Duration 3 Hours



2014-15.

Target Audience

Return to Contents


Schools Financial Value Standard Refresher

The Schools Financial Value Standard is designed to assist schools in

managing their finances and to give assurance that they have secure financial

management systems in place. In this course we will be examining the SVFS

Questionnaire to identify what evidence can be requested by the Governing Body

to provide them with assurance that the standard is being met.

The SFVS Questionnaire

Suggested evidence for each section of SFVS

Timescales for completion

Role of the Local Authority

Description

Content

Target Audience

This course is ideal for Governors, Headteachers, Business Managers and

School Finance Staff that are completing the SFVS Questionnaire.

21


and make a booking.

Duration 3 Hours



2014-15.

Return to Contents


Budget Planner Software

This practical-based course is all about using the Budget Planner Software to

build the School Budget. It follows a training case study through the steps

involved in setting the budget whilst using key functions within the Budget

Planner Software.

Entering prior year Budget Figures

Calculating staffing costs

Linking the SIDP priorities with the budget

Entering budget figures

Using the Pupil Funding Adjustment Tool

Finalising the Budget

Transferring the Budget to Star Accounts

Description

Content

Ideal for Headteachers, Deputies or Business Managers with responsibility for

the school budget.

Refresher

22


and make a booking.

Duration 3 Hours



2014-15.

Target Audience

Return to Contents


Key Financial Controls

Designed in conjunction with Norfolk Audit Service, this course covers the

importance of financial controls in order to minimise the risk of financial

irregularities and fraud.

Identifying types of frauds and scams

Identifying control weaknesses and their associated risks

Understanding common controls used to minimise the risk of fraud

How to assess internal controls at your school

Understanding the role of Norfolk Audit Service

The NCC Whistleblowing Policy

Description

Content

This course is ideal for Business Managers and Finance Staff that have

responsibility for the management and/or operation of finances.

Refresher

23


and make a booking.

Duration 3 Hours



2014-15.

Target Audience

Return to Contents


VAT For Schools

This course aims to ensure that staff responsible for school financial records are

accounting for VAT correctly. Delegates will have the opportunity to bring along

their own specific VAT questions to be answered by the NCC Tax Accountant.

The basics of VAT

VAT categories

What constitutes a proper VAT invoice

Using the VAT manual

How to get further help and advice

Open surgery with the VAT expert

Description

Content

Staff responsible for maintaining school financial records and operating Star

Accounts.

Refresher

24


and make a booking.

Duration 3 Hours



2014-15.

Target Audience

Return to Contents


This course provides a refresher for existing Star Accounts users. It offers a

more detailed understanding of the software with plenty of useful hints, tips and

problem solving activities.

Staff currently using Star Accounts who would like to learn more about its

functionality and how to resolve common problems.

Core functionality refresher

Extra functionality of Star ( based on the newest upgrade)

Using Department Codes and Groups

Common problems and how to solve them

Using Star reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheque / Remittance printing

And Lots more….!

Description

Content

Star Refresher Refresher

25


and make a booking.

Duration 09:30 - 16:00



2014-15.

Target Audience

Return to Contents


The Finance RAG ( R ed / Amber / Green ) Matrix is an early warning

system which helps the local authority to assess financial risk in schools to

ensure that appropriate support is made available to Headteachers and school Governors as

required. It is prepared termly by Finance Support Officers and contains a series of financial

management criteria. In financial year 2013-14, financial training for Governors, Headteachers

and Finance Staff was added to this list of criteria.

RAG Training Link Finance &Finance & SoftwareSoftware TrainingTraining

20142014--1515


It is important that new finance staff are able to quickly gain the skills and knowledge needed

to operate the school finances. A new un-trained finance officer can pose a significant risk to

the integrity of the school financial information used for budget monitoring and

decision-making.

New Finance Staff

The Training section of the RAG therefore includes a progressive training process to ensure

that finance staff gain the required skills and knowledge in a timely manner. The requirements

for 2014-15 are:

To support this process, each new member of staff will be issued with a personalised Finance

Training Plan, based on the skills undertaken at the school. This is designed to help make the

most training opportunities available, provide a clear pathway for gaining the required

financial skills, and provide support in applying those skills at the school.

26 Return to Contents

27

All of the courses within this brochure count towards the RAG Matrix but there additional

options available. Finance Staff can also attend any of the following as refreshers:

For the RAG Matrix, existing finance staff will be expected to keep updated on finance

knowledge and skills by completing a defined number of refreshers in a financial year. The

number completed will determine the RAG rating:

Return to Contents

To help determine Training Needs, we have developed a Finance Skills

Challenge. This is a Self-Assessment Tool which allows finance staff to assess

their skills and knowledge against a set of competencies.

Any course listed in the Governors and Headteacher brochures

Budget Workshop

Attendance at a Budget Visit

Fair Funding Consultation

Other Ad-Hoc Finance Briefing / Event held by the Schools Finance Team

Existing Finance Staff

Skills Challenge

The Skills Challenge can be downloaded from our website or by clicking on

the medal on the left and selecting Training Needs Assessment Tools.

http://www.eficts.norfolk.gov.uk/Finance/Training/trainingsupport.asp

Course Booking All bookings must be made through the website:

Once you have made your booking you can leave the rest to us!

Booking Confirmation

You will be sent confirmation of your place on the course by email as soon as possible after

receipt of your booking. If you have booked an E-Learning course, this Email will contain your

link needed to access the course.

Joining Instructions

For tutor-led courses, you will receive a further email approximately two weeks before the date

of your course. This will confirm that the course is taking place and the venue details, start and

finish times and any special requirements or instructions.

You can book on-line by visiting http://efs.norfolk.gov.uk. Select Courses

( I nfo and Booking ) from the A-Z menu.


20142014--1515


28

Cancellations received within 10 school days of the event or failure to cancel will be subject to

an administration charge of £50. No charge will be made if you can fill the place with a

colleague.

We will do our very best to ensure every course date set is delivered but please be aware that

a course may not run below the minimum number of 5 delegates, or due to unforeseen

circumstances. In the event of a course being cancelled, you will be contacted at the earliest

opportunity and offered an alternative date where possible.

Cancellation Policy

Return to Contents

http://efs.norfolk.gov.uk/default.htm


20142014--1515


Tutor-Led and E-Learning Courses

All courses in this brochure are provided at no additional cost if your school has purchased a

Finance Support Package for 2014-15.

Ad-Hoc Courses

Ad-hoc sessions can be arranged for your school or cluster for any of the tutor-led courses

listed in this Brochure. Courses are charged at £408 per 3-hour session for up to

50 delegates. To arrange a school or cluster session, please contact us on 01603 223125 or

email [email protected].

Pricing

29

Professional Development Centre

Woodside Road, Norwich, NR7 9QL

Norwich

Maps and directions can be found on our website.

West Norfolk Professional Development Centre

Kilham ’ s Way, Kings Lynn, PE30 2HU

Kings Lynn

Venues

Governor courses are usually delivered at the following venues:

Course pricing information is shown below:

Return to Contents

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Finance%20Training

Documents

Schools Finance - Norfolk · 2014-09-21 · Schools Financial Value Standard Page 21The courses in this section are specifically Budget Planner Software Page 22 Key Financial Controls