Financial Services across the Bushey St James Trust
The BSJT has a highly efficient Finance Team and a proven track record of effective financial management across the schools within the Bushey St James Trust. The Team is led by the Business Manager & CFO for Bushey St James Trust, Rachael Coombs who oversees the team and the finances across the whole Trust and works directly with the Executive Principal.
Rachael Coombs - Business Manager & CFO for Bushey St James Trust
Rachael Coombs is the Business Manager/CFO for Bushey St James Trust. Rachael has 18 years of finance experience across various education settings, including pupil referral units, early years, primary, secondary and post 16 settings. Rachael has her level 4 and level 5 diplomas in School Business Management.
Julie Lee - Senior Finance Assistant
Julie Lee has 30 years of finance experience in a finance setting and has worked at Bushey Meads School and within the Bushey St James Trust since 2002.
Maxine Winter - Senior Finance Assistant
Maxine Winter has 28 years of finance experience with HSBC and has worked at Bushey Meads School and within the Bushey St James Trust since 2008.
Allison Smith - Finance Assistant
Allison Smith has 33 years of finance experience with Barclays Bank and has worked at Bushey Meads School and within the Bushey St James Trust since 2021 starting on the reception at Bushey Meads.
Natasha Woods - Primary Business Support Officer
Natasha Woods has 28 years of financial experience in different financial sectors ranging from fashion to pharmaceuticals. She has worked within BSJT since 2017, starting off as Hartsbourne Primary Schools Office Administrator and now working across the BSJT Trust as Primary Business Support Officer. Natasha is currently studying for a Diploma in School Business Management (DSBM).
The main financial services that the BSJT Finance Team offer cover the following areas:
Financial Management
Working with the schools within the Trust to ensure they meet ongoing requirements. Leading the Trust’s finance team to ensure appropriate policies, structures and standards are in place and provide relevant training as required.
Trust Finance System
Managing and developing the Trust’s centrally held finance system and the provision of technical local helpdesk support.
Month End Support
Ensuring that the schools within the Trust follow the same procedure regarding month end support. Centrally reviewing the month end data.
Training
Providing initial and on-going finance training as required and financial helpdesk support.
Central Services
Negotiating and arranging agreed central services (currently catering, cleaning and insurance).
Fixed Assets
Centrally managing the fixed assets and depreciation.
Use of Assets
Supporting the capital bids for the Trust and working with schools to investigate opportunities for income generation from capital assets and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
Audit
Preparing the draft audit report and managing financial and regularity audits.
Preparing individual school and trust control sheets and fund analysis.
VAT Returns
Ensuring VAT returns are completed as required for all schools in the trust.
EFA Financial Returns
Preparing all financial and budgetary returns as required by the EFA and DfE.
Fund Management
Ensuring the correct use is made of all central funds, school contributions and improvement funds.
If you require more information please contact Rachael Coombs Finance Manager: [email protected]