Salary: £25,000 – £40,000
Hours: 37 hours per week, all year round
Location: Client sites across Essex and surrounding areas, with some remote working
Reporting to: Executive Consultant
SBM Services are part of Transforming Learning Group, a forward-thinking education technology group working with over 5,000 schools across the UK. Our mission is simple: to help schools harness technology and data to improve outcomes for every learner. Through our brands – including turn IT on, School ICT Services, SalamanderSoft and more – we deliver solutions that make schools more efficient, effective and innovative.
SBM Services are looking for a confident and motivated School Finance Consultant (Senior Consultant) to join our team, supporting schools and academy trusts with high‑quality accountancy, business management and audit services. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working closely with clients, building strong relationships and providing practical, hands‑on financial support within the education sector.
You’ll work primarily on client premises across the region, with the flexibility to complete some work remotely. No two days will be the same: you’ll be supporting day‑to‑day accounting tasks, carrying out internal audits, producing financial reports, and helping school‑based staff develop their own financial skills.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll play a key part in delivering reliable, professional support to a portfolio of school and academy trust clients. Your work will include:
Supporting day‑to‑day accounting processes such as ordering, invoicing, bank reconciliations, journals and VAT returns
Providing guidance on budget preparation, monitoring and reporting
Assisting with statutory financial returns
Reviewing internal control systems and recommending improvements
Supporting medium‑term financial planning
Helping produce management accounts and assisting with year‑end account closure
Offering responsive support via phone and email to resolve financial and business queries
Delivering internal audit services to help clients strengthen their financial processes
Training and developing school‑based staff in accounting practices
This is a varied role where you’ll be trusted to deliver high‑quality work, build excellent relationships and act as a valued extension of each school’s team.
About you
We’re looking for someone who is highly organised, confident working with financial information and able to build strong, productive relationships with clients.
You will bring:
AAT qualification or equivalent (or working towards)
Strong understanding of double‑entry bookkeeping
Experience producing management accounts
Experience in day‑to‑day accounts processing and reconciliations
Month‑end and year‑end experience
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office
High levels of accuracy and attention to detail
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong organisational and time‑management skills
A commitment to personal development and continuous learning
Desirable
Knowledge of the education sector
Experience using a variety of accounting systems
Experience reviewing internal controls and recommending improvements
How you work
We’re looking for someone who brings professionalism, energy and a genuine care for the clients we support. You will:
Work efficiently, delivering high‑quality work on time
Be flexible, adaptable and able to respond positively to change
Bring a proactive, solution‑focused approach to challenges
Share knowledge, collaborate with colleagues and build strong client relationships
Communicate openly, kindly and respectfully
Demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence in your interactions
You’ll be part of a team that values excellence, innovation, collaboration and care — and we’re looking for someone who shares those values and is ready to contribute positively from day one.
REF-(Apply online only)