Responsible Officer
HCSS Education are specialists in education finance and are experienced in delivering the Responsible Officer program and in providing independent views to governors/trustees within many education establishments.
We employ ACCA qualified accountants who conduct the financial audit and accounts in line with the requirements set out in the Academy Financial Handbook and Companies House.
The Responsible Officer (“RO”) post is intended to provide an independent oversight of the Academy’s financial affairs. Overseen by the Finance Sub Committee, the Governing Body should appoint a person who will have specific responsibility for overseeing the financial arrangements on their behalf. The appointment of this RO must be notified to the DfE.
The RO should not be a member of the Finance Committee, as he or she may find it necessary to criticisethe workings of that Committee.
The RO should be an appropriately qualified and experienced individual not on the Academy staff, with the necessary financial interest and skills to be able to perform the role competently.
The main duties of the RO are to provide the Governing Body with on-going independent assurance that:
- The financial responsibilities of the Governing Body are being properly discharged;
- Resources are being managed in an efficient, economical and effective manner;
- Sound systems of internal financial control are being maintained; and
- Financial considerations are fully taken into account in reaching decisions.
For more information on the Responsible Officer Programe HCSS have to offer, please CLICK HERE.