Financial Controller

IAPS have an exciting opportunity available for a Financial Controller to join their team based in Warwick on a full-time, permanent basis working 35 hours per week. Part-time arrangements would be considered for the right candidate. In return, you will receive a salary of £58,000 - £73,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications.

The Financial Controller is part of IAPS's Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO and plays an important role in the smooth running of this historic Association, leading a small team of finance professionals. The role is crucial to the achievement of thier strategy, helping the organisation to plan for meaningful, sustainable improvements by unlocking efficiencies, increasing income and maximising return on investment. This is an opportunity to experience running the finances of a medium-sized, complex business.

The independent schools sector is moving to a new era in which school fees will attract VAT, something that the Association’s activities have always been subject to. The ideal candidate will have a good working knowledge of VAT and/or the willingness to learn more, a proven track record of working in complex business environments and a background in accountancy.

About IAPS

IAPS is the Association for world-class prep and junior Headteachers. It works to support its members in their efforts to lead excellent schools and deliver the highest standards of education and care to their pupils.

IAPS offer a professional working environment with a positive 'team’ ethos and atmosphere, as well as an attractive pension scheme and annual leave entitlement. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements with the successful candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the CEO to prepare an annual budget which will deliver the Association’s strategy, and to monitor its implementation through the production of accurate and timely monthly management accounting.
• Produce the annual Directors’ Report and statutory accounts for the Association and other legal entities as required.
• Oversee a finance function which reliably and efficiently serves the Association’s business needs, with billing, payments and payroll operating with routine excellence.
• Use their knowledge of VAT law to ensure that the Association’s practices are compliant and effective.
• Represent IAPS’ financial interests, providing advice, oversight and accounting where required, e.g. for our charity iTrust and our Consultancy subsidiary.
• Own the relationship with external financial institutions and partners.
• Be accountable for the timely and accurate filing of all required tax and statutory returns related to the Association and its interests.
• Attend meetings of the Finance Committee, providing secretariat services to its Chair.
• Manage the performance of the finance team.
• Feed into the senior staff’s financial planning and ongoing oversight, so that the resources needed to deliver the organisation’s strategy are fully uncovered and agreed.
• Represent IAPS in front of Heads as required, including at District meetings and various conferences.
• Undertake such other duties as are compatible with the nature of the post and as reasonably directed by their manager.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• Affinity for the independent prep sector.
• Strong financial management skills, including a relevant accounting qualification (ICAEW, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent).
• Commitment to excellence, relentlessly seeking to improve our work and the expectation that everyone around them will behave similarly.
• Strong attention to detail accompanied by a strong sense of personal investment and accountability for the quality of output they oversee.
• A 'service mindset’ prompting the constant question 'How can I better serve members, my team and the organisation?’ and leading to exemplary effort and reflective personal development.
• The ability to manage others effectively, recognising strengths and areas of development, providing support and challenge as necessary to get the best out of people.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively explain complex information to busy or non-expert audiences.
• Ability to manage competing priorities to demanding timescales and still deliver what is needed.
• Ability to understand, analyse and interpret a range of information sources when making decisions.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including specialists in their field.

If you feel you have the skills and experience to be IAPS's Financial Controller, please click 'Apply’ today.

IAPS is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and wishes to encourage applications from individuals from a diversity of backgrounds. IAPS will ensure that all applicants receive equal consideration irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

No agencies please.