Finance Manager

Location Sittingbourne
Salary Paying up to £48.5k
Contract Permanent
Job Ref

We are working on behalf of a successful and growing multi‑academy trust to appoint an experienced Finance Manager to play a key role within their central finance function.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with academies or public‑sector experience to support senior leadership, contribute to strategic financial planning, and ensure robust financial control across the Trust.

 

Key Responsibilities:

·       Producing accurate, timely budget and monitoring information for Headteachers, senior leaders, governors and directors

·       Supporting financial planning and long‑term forecasting to ensure sustainability and value for money

·       Line manage Senior Finance Assistants and act as their first point of contact for workload and process queries

·       Assist with the preparation of monthly management accounts and communicate key information to stakeholders

·       Monitor and forecast expenditure against budgets, proactively resolving issues with budget holders and the CFO

·       Monitor Trust income from the Department for Education and other funding sources, identifying and explaining variances

·       Reconcile payroll monthly to budget, providing clear explanations for material differences

·       Assist with audit preparation and completion of statutory and government returns

·       Support year‑end processes, ensuring timetables are adhered to and deadlines met

·       Support procurement processes, including quotations, tendering and supplier liaison to achieve best value

·       Assist with fixed asset registers, accruals and prepayments

 

The Ideal Candidate:

·       Proven experience in financial management, ideally within education, academies, or the public sector – candidates from other industries will be considered

·       Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and management accounting

·       Experience of payroll reconciliation and audit preparation

·       Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non‑finance colleagues

Apply now

Consultant

Kate Porter

Associate Director