Location: Uppingham
Contract Type: Fixed term, 9-12 months
Hours: Full time
Salary: circa £65,000 per annum depending on experience
The Uppingham Group of Schools (UGS) consists of a co-educational, full boarding and day school in Uppingham, Rutland, serving 830 pupils aged 11-18, a licensed school in west Cairo which opened in 2024, with further schools planned to open in Vietnam in 2027 and east Cairo in 2028, a subsidiary company including a lettings business, dual-use sports centre and school shop, and trading subsidiaries for its international operations.
UGS has revenues of £43m and net assets of £76m. In addition to the academic faculties (twenty-six subjects offered), UGS has business units responsible for marketing, admissions, business development, human resources, IT, finance, health and safety, operational services, and estates. The School employs c. 550 people, with another 50 employed on site by its contract caterers, on a 120-acre site with 80+ buildings with an insurance value of £280m, of which 24 are listed, and 59 acres of playing fields.
Job purpose
The Financial Controller’s role is to manage forward-looking financial risk by ensuring strong financial control, sound budgetary management, cash flow forecasting, and regulatory compliance. Alongside core responsibilities, the role supports the CFO on projects to strengthen systems, improve reporting and support effective financial decision-making within a collaborative, values-led organisation.
About you
You will be a qualified accountant with experience of senior-level financial control, reporting and analysis, and confidence working within complex organisations. A methodical, accurate approach and the ability to assess financial risk and opportunity will be central to how you work.
The role requires ease in working closely with senior colleagues, explaining financial matters clearly and supporting informed decision-making. An appreciation of Uppingham School’s context and ethos, combined with strong technical capability and a collaborative approach, will support effective contribution during this interim period.
Your accountabilities
• Financial control
• Budget setting and control
• Cash flow projection
• Financial reporting and management information
• Statutory returns.
• Statutory accounts
• Means-tested fee assistance (MTFA) awards
• Pension scheme
• Payroll and benefits
• Projects
Qualifications, skills and experience, personal qualities required
Qualifications
• Chartered Accountant or Chartered Certified Accountant (necessary)
• Good honours degree (desirable)
Skills and experience
• Experience of senior-level financial control and analysis
• Experience of senior-level management information and reporting
• Strong IT skills, especially in systems development, data-handling, and business analysis.
Remuneration
c. £80,000, commensurate with the appointee’s experience.
Pension scheme
Defined contribution scheme: employee contribution matched by School by factor of two, up to 10% maximum.
Annual leave entitlement
Thirty days plus bank holidays, and in addition, a half-day of time off in lieu for each Trustee meeting attended on weekend mornings.
Benefits
At Uppingham School we offer a range of benefits, which include:
• 50% contribution to premiums for the School’s private health scheme
• Free Westfield Healthcare
• Free membership of dual-use Sports Centre (£25 annual joining fee)
• Free staff lunches in term-time
• School fee discount for children of Uppingham staff
• Retail, gym, supermarket, cinema and restaurant discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health Services
• Free annual flu jabs
• Recognised as a “Disability Confident” employer
• Recognised as a “Mindful” employer
• Favourable rates and terms with local nursery
• Complimentary staff ticket to selected School performances
• Discount at local coffee shop for Uppingham staff.
You may also have experience in the following: Head of Finance, Financial Controller, Management Accountant, Finance Director, CIMA, ACCA, Finance Manager, etc.
REF-(Apply online only)