The team, comprising qualified Accountants and experienced accountancy staff, provides the following services:

Fulfilling statutory obligations

• preparation of annual Revenue and Capital Budgets, including the General Schools Budget;

• preparation of final accounts;
• maintenance of the General Ledger (which is the Authority's prime source of financial information);
• production of financial statements, including Section 122 Statements;
• completion of statutory returns;
• operation of the Authority's resource allocation formula under the Scheme of Local Management;
• operation of the system for recouping funds from other Education Department's with children
• attending Birmingham schools.

Providing information

• Provision of structured and periodic financial information to the Department, schools and other establishments outside the Scheme of Local Management through the budget monitoring process.

Providing specialist advice and guidance

• VAT and other tax-related matters,

• Financial Regulations and Standing Orders;
• capital and leasing transactions;
• operation of local cheque books;
• compulsory competitive tendering.

Advising

• Provision of general advice and guidance on all financial related matters, eg petty cash queries, input to Committee Reports.

Developing financial systems and procedures

• local cheque books;

• internal invoicing.

Training

• Provision of financial training to the Department and for schools and governors.

Administration

• Management and control of financial and INSET administration associated with Standards Fund and the Education Department Initiatives Budget.

Fund raising

• Assistance to schools in raising funds from external sources.