Schools Section

This section has been created to provide governance and financial advice and help schools through their audit.

Key documents

The policies, documents and guidance for governors web page includes the following key documents and policies:

The individual school range and head teacher group pay range should comply with the requirements of the DfE School Teachers' Pay and Conditions.

The business continuity, risk and resilience web page includes all relevant information and contact details relating to this subject.

The local management of schools web page has information and guidance on: budget construction, budget monitoring and CFR coding.
There is also information about budgeting for universal infant free school meals and the DfE has issued guidance relating to Pupil Premium.

Payroll information must be checked independently by someone other than the person responsible for administering the payroll reports. This should be evidenced (signature and date).
Periodic checks (e.g. termly) should be conducted of payroll data against contract information to ensure that all payments are to bona fide staff.
Supply/overtime/expenses should be signed by the individual and authorised as per the schools financial delegation.

All schools should have a documented IT Policy (including social media, laptops, back up etc).
If laptops are given to staff then they should each have a laptop agreement, see example laptop agreement.
Segregation of duties in the financial system is essential. The local management of schools web page contains further information along with suggested access rights.

The local management of schools web page has procurement guidance (including the requirement to obtain/retain quotes) and also information on leases.
Commitment accounting principles should be followed; earmarking expenditure for known expenses. This helps to reduce the risk of paying duplicate invoices and aids good budget management.
Further guidance on ordering goods and services is available in the financial procedures for schools document.

There must always be an element of segregation of duty when receiving income i.e. there should always be a secondary check of income in addition to any completed by the individual that has received the income initially.
Receipts must be issued in line with the Finance Manual, as approved by governors.
Additional information on income and banking arrangements are available in the financial procedures for schools.
Any outstanding income (debts) should be monitored and chased regularly and the process for this should be included in you Finance Manual.

The asset management policy for Milton Keynes schools provides guidance on the procedures that must be in place for the management of their assets and asset registers.
Income should only be stored or transported in line with your school’s insurance policy.
Please refer to the local management of schools web page if you purchase insurance through the council - it has details of the insurance arrangements and secure cash holding limits.

The school is responsible for ensuring that any voluntary funds are audited annually.
Before you submit your voluntary fund audit report to the Schools Finance Team ensure that it has been signed by the Chair of Governors either at or soon after the Governors meeting where it was discussed/approved.