Head of Finance

Salary: £50,000–£60,000 Education Sector

Are you an experienced finance professional looking for a leadership role where you can make a real difference?

We’re working with an education provider to appoint a Head of Finance to lead its Finance Department, ensuring the delivery of an efficient, value-for-money service and accurate, timely financial information.

Reporting to the Vice-Principal for Finance and Corporate Services, you’ll play a key role in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting, while supporting senior leaders with the financial insight needed to make informed decisions.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who combines strong technical accounting skills with the ability to lead a finance function, work collaboratively with stakeholders and drive effective financial management.

The Role

As Head of Finance, your responsibilities will include:

• Financial leadership: Lead the Finance Department, maintaining an efficient, responsive and value-for-money service.

• Management accounts: Produce monthly management accounts, forecasts and variance analysis for senior managers, budget holders and other stakeholders.

• Financial control: Maintain accurate accounting records and oversee monthly balance sheet reconciliations.

• Budgeting and forecasting: Lead the preparation of annual and flexed budgets, cash flow forecasts and the three-year financial plan.

• Financial reporting: Prepare quarterly Department for Education returns and annual financial statements.

• Audit and compliance: Coordinate external audits, maintain financial records and ensure reporting requirements and deadlines are met.

• Budget management: Monitor expenditure and support budget holders in managing spending through finance and purchasing systems.

• Business partnering: Support the Vice-Principal with financial planning, project oversight and the delivery of departmental and organisational objectives.

About You

You’ll be an experienced finance professional with the technical knowledge, analytical ability and leadership skills to manage a finance function effectively.

You’ll ideally have:

• ACA/ACCA Qualified Accountant. 

• Experience producing management accounts, forecasts and financial commentary.

• Strong budgeting, financial planning and cash flow forecasting skills.

• Experience maintaining financial controls, accounting records and balance sheet reconciliations.

• Knowledge of annual accounts, audit processes and statutory or regulatory reporting.

• The ability to work with senior stakeholders and support budget holders across an organisation.

• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines.

• A proactive, collaborative approach to financial management and continuous improvement.