Finance Manager

• Pay rate: £25 - £27 per hour - PAYE
• Location: Central London
• Job Type:  Temporary initially for 3 months with a review
• Working Hours: 35 hours per week, all year round
• Hybrid working offered post on-boarding

I have partnered with a growing Academy Trust in Central London who are looking for a bright and diligent Finance Manager to join a finance team of 9 for an initial 3 month assignment which will be reviewed with the possibility of extension.

As Finance Manager you will support the Head of Finance in all aspects of the development and effective operation of the Trust finance function. This role is crucial for ensuring the effective monitoring and reporting of the academy’s budgets, financial systems, and processes. You will also play a key role in providing financial support, administration, and advice across the Trust, ensuring the delivery of financial operations in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Support school leaders in ensuring sufficient resources are in place for day-to-day processing.
• Lead the production of all financial statutory and regulatory returns within the appropriate time frames.
• Implement monthly internal control reports and checklists to ensure compliance with the Academies Policies.
• Prepare group VAT returns each month for review.
• Maintain the Fixed Asset Register, including additions, disposals, and depreciation.
• Support the inter-company journals process, ensuring appropriate authorisations and integrity of consolidated accounting across the entities.
• Develop and harmonise Trust-wide operation of the Financials systems, acting as the principal link with product providers’ support teams and managing consistency in data input across all schools.
• Communicate effectively within the finance team and with academy staff to support whole Trust priorities.
• Support the development and implementation of new procedures in response to legislative changes or changes to policies and procedures.
• Deputise in the absence of other finance staff, under the direction of the Head of Finance.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Proven experience in financial management within an educational or similar setting.
• Strong understanding of Management Accounting and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with PS Financials would be beneficial
• Ability to lead and implement financial procedures and controls.
• Excellent communication and team-working skills.

As this is a Temporary position you must be able to start within 1 week or less and be committed to working on a temporary basis for 3 months.