Job Title: Financial Controller – Pathways Schools Ltd
Location: Hereford
Application Deadline: Friday 20th March 2026
Anticipated Start Date: Monday 11th May 2026
Role Purpose
The Finance Controller will take full responsibility for running the finance function of Pathways Schools Ltd, a growing specialist SEND education group operating across two schools. This is a senior, hands-on role requiring end-to-end ownership of financial management — from transactional processing and supplier payments through to statutory compliance, monthly management accounts, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial support to our senior team
The role is critical in supporting sustainable growth, ensuring strong financial controls, and providing clear financial insight to inform decision-making across the group.
Pathways Schools Ltd in an active growth phase, with expanding pupil numbers, increasing complexity, and evolving operational needs. This creates a fast-paced environment requiring adaptability, strong systems, and confident decision-making. Pathways are looking for an ambitious individual who can take full ownership of the finance function and can build a team around themselves, as the business grows.
Key Responsibilities
1. Transactional & Day-to-Day Finance
· Maintain the full purchase ledger and sales ledger for both schools
· Process supplier invoices, ensure correct authorisation, and manage payment runs
· Manage staff expense claims and reimbursements
· Reconcile bank accounts, credit cards, and petty cash
· Maintain accurate financial records and filing systems
· Ensure all transactions are correctly coded to cost centres and budgets
· Manage finance mailbox
1. Payroll & Staffing Costs
· Work closely with payroll provider to ensure payroll accuracy
· Reconcile payroll reports to the general ledger
· Monitor staffing costs, agency spend, and overtime
· Track pension contributions and statutory deductions
1. VAT & Statutory Compliance
· Prepare and submit VAT returns accurately and on time
· Ensure correct VAT treatment across different income streams and purchases
· Support external accountants with year-end accounts and audits
· Maintain compliance with education and charity/company finance regulations (as applicable)
1. Management Accounts & Reporting
· Produce monthly management accounts for each school and consolidated
· Prepare variance analysis against budgets with clear explanations
· Provide cashflow forecasts and working capital monitoring
· Produce reports for senior leadership the board of director
· Highlight financial risks and opportunities proactively
1. Budgeting & Forecasting
· Lead the annual budgeting process for both schools
· Work with school leaders to build realistic, needs-based budgets
· Monitor budgets throughout the year and reforecast as required
· Model financial scenarios (e.g. pupil number changes, staffing needs, funding changes)
1. Systems, Controls & Process Improvement
· Maintain and improve financial systems and processes
· Ensure robust financial controls are in place across both schools
· Improve efficiency, accuracy, and reporting quality
· Support implementation of new finance systems if required
1. Team Support
· Act as the main finance contact for school leaders and operational staff
· Translate financial data into clear, non-technical insights
· Support funding discussions, fee setting, and contract reviews
· Build strong working relationships across both schools
· Proven experience liaising with customers, suppliers and staff and dealing with on a timely basis
Person Specification
Essential
· Professionally qualified (CIMA / ACCA / ACA)
· Proven experience in the SME sector, fast growing environments and building a team around you
· Proven experience producing monthly management accounts for both the balance sheet and P & L, rolling cashflows and forecasts
· Strong transactional finance background — comfortable being hands-on
· Experience and entirely comfortable with VAT returns
· Experience and entirely comfortable with Payroll
· Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
· Ability to manage competing deadlines independently
· Confident communicator with non-finance colleagues
Desirable
· Experience in education, SEND, care, or public sector environments
· Experience working across multiple sites or entities
· Knowledge of education funding streams and cost structures
· Experience supporting audits and year-end processes
· Previous experience of Xero and other finance based technologies
Personal Attributes
· Practical and solution-focused
· Comfortable taking ownership of a small but critical finance function
· Self sufficient and motivated
· Calm under pressure and able to prioritise effectively
· Values-driven and aligned with supporting children and young people with SEND
What we Offer
· Competitive Salary
· Pension package
· Hybrid of school and home based working
· Personal development as the business develops
· Opportunity to shape our future and help lead the growth of this business
· High autonomy with owner led business
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £65,000.00-£70,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hereford HR2 6JL