Head of Finance

Location: Amesbury
Salary: £60,000 – £65,000 per annum

We are working with a well-established education organisation to recruit a Head of Finance to lead its central finance team and support the continued development of its financial operations.

Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, the successful candidate will play a key role in delivering accurate, timely and insightful financial information to support strategic decision-making across the organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional with education sector experience to take on a senior leadership position, oversee a central finance function and contribute to the ongoing improvement of financial systems, processes and controls.

• Support the Director of Finance & Business with the preparation of monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasts and financial analysis for trustees and other key stakeholders.
• Monitor balance sheet reconciliations, prepare journals and ensure financial transactions are accurately recorded on an accruals basis.
• Maintain the central budget model and trust-level financial assumptions.
• Review and sense-check consolidated budgets and forecasts, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Support payroll processes, including checking payroll information and approving proposed payments from the payroll provider.
• Work closely with the Director of Finance & Business on financial analysis, reporting and ad hoc projects.
• Support the monitoring and accounting of grants, ensuring compliance with relevant funding requirements.
• Work collaboratively with Heads and School Business Partners to optimise budgets and forecasts.
• Lead, manage and develop the central finance team, providing effective coaching, guidance and support.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting, financial and regularity frameworks.
• Support the development and implementation of improved financial systems, processes and controls.
• Champion the introduction of new tools and technologies to improve efficiency and financial reporting.
• Liaise with external auditors and provide the necessary financial information to support audit requirements.
• Contribute to projects and wider financial improvements across the organisation.

About You

We are looking for a conscientious and commercially aware finance professional who can combine strong technical accounting knowledge with effective leadership and the ability to provide meaningful financial insight.

You will ideally have:

• A recognised accountancy qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA, or equivalent. Candidates with AAT Level 4 and significant relevant experience will also be considered.
• Experience working within the education sector, with an understanding of school funding, staffing arrangements and financial regularity requirements.
• Experience producing monthly management accounts, budgets and forecasts, including balance sheet and cash flow reporting.
• Strong knowledge of month-end processes, reconciliations, journals and VAT submissions.
• Experience managing and developing finance teams, including coaching and supporting staff.
• Experience working with auditors and preparing information for audit purposes.
• An understanding of the financial and regulatory environment within multi-academy trusts.