Service Description

The Financial Support SLA provides a comprehensive financial accounting and budgetary support service to schools. The service is designed to meet your needs as flexibly as possible, allowing your school to choose the range of support that is appropriate to your requirements.  

SLA services offered

Advice and assistance on the following is provided through personal visits, off site preparation, telephone support and a remote access facility:  

Level 1 Service - £2,380

Up to 30 hours per financial year (includes on and off site work) – to support:  

  • Budget preparation (salary estimates, cash flow statements, 3 year budget planning) 
  • Monthly returns (bank reconciliations, VAT returns, advances & income reconciliations) 
  • Monthly payroll reconciliation 
  • Budget monitoring reports 
  • Maintenance of financial systems, procedures and controls 
  • Pre and post audit advice 
  • Year-end closing and completion of financial returns (accruals, balance sheet, statutory CFR report) 
  • Interviews for recruitment of Finance staff 
  • Finance training for Finance staff and Head Teachers 

Level 2 Service - £3,409 

Up to 45 hours per financial year (includes on and off site work) – to support: 

As per Level 1 plus:  

  • Project evaluation and costing 
  • Modelling staffing and budget options 
  • Cost comparisons of LA available data 
  • One meeting outside working hours e.g. Governing Body meeting   

Level 3 Service - £4,373 

Up to 60 hours per financial year (includes on and off site work) – to support: 

As per Level 2 plus:  

  • Attendance at Finance Committee meetings 
  • Entering the budget on FMS, ensuring it agrees with the approved 1 year budget 
  • Emergency cover for completion of monthly / statutory returns in the absence of a designated finance officer  
  • Additional training for the preparation and completion of closing procedures 

Ad Hoc Hours are available upon request 

SLA pricing

Charge for 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020

Level 1 

£2,380 

Level 2 

£3,409 

Level 3 

£4,373 
  • For schools not buying into the service, a charge of £77.00 per month will be made for checking and processing bank reconciliations and VAT Claims. 
  • Please note that whilst all due care is taken to provide accurate and topical information; the Schools Support Team is an advisory and support service only. 
  • Governing bodies have full responsibility for the financial management of their schools including all financial documents produced as detailed in the Scheme for Financing Schools. 

Contacts

If you require additional information please contact either: 

Marius Karsten-Strydom
Service Financial Adviser - CSF
Tel: 020 8545 4129
Email:  marius.karsten@merton.gov.uk

Jayne Ward
Schools Financial Support Officer 
Tel:  020 8545 3336 
Email:  jayne.ward@merton.gov.uk   

Colette Levingston
Schools Financial Support Officer
Tel: 020 8545 4876
Email:  colette.levingston@merton.gov.uk 
7th Floor, Civic Offices, Morden, SM4 5DX