Calling out to School Business Managers!

ALacoste

Hi All

I am interested in working as a school business manager and need some insight in to the roles responsibilities and day to day activities. Is there someone willing to run through with me?

Marcon

ALacoste said:

Hi All

I am interested in working as a school business manager and need some insight in to the roles responsibilities and day to day activities. Is there someone willing to run through with me?

Google ' school business manager' and 'bursar' and you'll get masses of links/advertisements setting out what potential employers are expecting.

Be aware that these can be extremely stressful and demanding jobs, requiring an ability to get on well with a wide cross-section of people. 

butterflylady

Hi,

I’m a school business manager with 16 years experience. The job has changed massively in that time, firstly and foremost financially this is the worse time I have ever known for schools. All I feel like I am saying is no, when people ask to buy resources or ask for additional staffing hours.

Secondly schools run on goodwill. I can count on one hand, how many lunchtimes I’ve had since September. This is my choice and my counter part in the same trust always takes her breaks and only works her hours. Where as a good week for me is 36 hours, on a 30 hour contract. 

Depending on ur existing experience, it may be beneficial to under take one of the SBM qualifications. Laughably I’ve been turned down for interview because I don’t have one, but have a lot of experience. For them to appoint someone with no experience but the qualification, who left with 3 months and the school in a dreadful state.

The main things I’m currently working on are budgeting - managing and re forecasting the current year and starting planning for the next finance year.

HR - recruitment, performance management, training and return to works after a period of illness. 

Premises - health and safety

Lastly there are difference in what a LA business manager, a business manager in an academy trust and a business manager in a stand alone academy will do. 

I wouldn’t as a new business manager look at joining a stand alone academy, as there are a lot of ESFA legal requirements which have to be completed.

if you want to message me, I am happy to provide any more help I can. 

74jax

ALacoste said:

Hi All

I am interested in working as a school business manager and need some insight in to the roles responsibilities and day to day activities. Is there someone willing to run through with me?

What is it about the SBM role you are interested in?