Job Title: Finance Analyst
Location: Muddy Boots, York
Salary: Negotiable
Join Our Award-Winning Team
At Muddy Boots, we're proud to be an award-winning nursery, recognised for our commitment to excellence in early years education. We provide children with unique outdoor learning experiences, where they can explore, play, and thrive in nature. Our passionate team makes a real difference in young lives every day, and we're looking for a Finance Analyst to join us on this exciting journey
About the Role
We're on the look out for a Finance Analyst to join our growing Finance Team. The role will suit someone who is data oriented, driven by numbers along with experience in accounting. Working closely with our team, you'll turn financial data into clear insights that support decision-making and ensure resources are used effectively to provide the best outcomes for children.
Purpose of the Role:
Key Responsibilities:
Forecasting
* Assisting with the preparation of the annual budget on a site-by-site basis.
* Develop and maintain financial models to support budgeting and forecasting processes.
* Support with the preparation of rolling forecasts.
* Preparation of rolling 12-month Cash flow Forecasts
Business Partnering with Nursery Managers
* Partner with Area and Nursery Managers providing financial insight and business planning.
* Support them in understanding occupancy targets, fee collection, and staff cost controls.
* Provide financial coaching to improve commercial awareness and decision-making.
Commercial Insight
* Analyse funding streams, government policy changes, and fee pricing impacts.
* Model "what if" scenarios (e.g. staffing changes, occupancy shifts, products, new sites).
* Identify opportunities to improve margins without compromising care quality.
* Profitability Analysis, e.g. occupancy / nature school.
Reporting
* Provide variance analysis with clear expectations and recommendations.
* Monitor and report on key financial metrics and KPIs: Staff Ratios, Fee Income, Gov Funding and Cost per Child.
* Conduct cost analysis and identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
* Prepare an analysis of data relating to products / packages for accuracy.
Financial Controls
* Ensuring Financial Accuracy with all records being accurate and update to date.
* Develop and implement financial controls using systems and spreadsheet-based processes.
Acquisitions and Developments
* Assist with the integration of accounting systems and processes for newly acquired nurseries.
* Acquisition accounting for new nurseries.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
* Occupancy % and staff cost % are regularly tracked and explained.
* Nursery Managers demonstrate improved financial understanding.
* Accurate forecasting and reporting against actuals.
* Actionable recommendations leading to measurable efficiency or revenue gains.
What's required?
What We're Looking For:
Behaviours & Attributes
* Commercially astute, but empathetic to childcare values.
* Confident communicator — able to challenge and influence Nursery Managers constructively.
* Hands-on, proactive, and solutions focused.
* High integrity, aligned with safeguarding principles.
Skills
* Financial Software Xero, DataRails
* Strong Excel Skills
* Management Account / Budgeting Experience
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
* High Attention to detail and accuracy.
* Ability to communicate with finance and non-finance staff
Personal Attributes
* Proactive, with a "hands-on" approach.
* Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
* Collaborative team player with excellent communication skills.
* Respectful of confidentiality in a childcare environment.
What we offer
What We Offer:
Be part of an award-winning nursery that values excellence and innovation
Opportunities to progress within the role
4-day work week for full-time staff – more time for you
Extra holiday days for long-standing team members
Enhanced maternity, paternity & adoption pay
Discounted Childcare
Lifestyle discounts on groceries, travel, entertainment & more
Employee Assistance Programme – mental health support & coaching
Staff treats, events & parties – because we value YOU
Free lunches - to keep you fuelled
On-site parking
Muddy Boots is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to ensuring that the terms and conditions of employment for staff and selection processes for potential employees are equitable and non-discriminatory.
All positions offered by Muddy Boots are subject to the receipt of two satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check, as part of our safeguarding duties.
About Muddy Boots Nursery
Since opening our doors in January 2012, with only a few team members and a handful of children, we have continually worked to build day nurseries with a strong family ethos and home-from-home feel, which have now been enjoyed by over 1000 families and counting.
Here is how we do it:
* We focus on developing the uniqueness of every child: We work with every child's constantly changing and unique interests to ensure their development is about them, not employing a one-size-fits-all approach
* Our outstanding team builds strong relational bonds with our families, built on quality communication: This ensures our parents have the peace of mind to get on with their busy lives, knowing their child is with a team who know and love them
* We focus on outdoor adventures, always: Muddy Boots isn't just a name, it's a daily way of life. We believe in as many outdoor adventures as possible and create amazing outdoor experiences to facilitate them
The name 'Muddy Boots' really sums up our whole ethos – to not be afraid to let children learn by getting muddy, exploring, going on adventures and getting out there and having a go Children enjoy a wide range of activities both indoor and out, planned by a qualified and experienced staff team who genuinely love and care for all the children. Our aim is that every individual child thrives and flourishes into their unique selves in our positive, family-feel environment.