We're pleased to be partnering with an educational provider to support with their recruitment of a Head of Finance on a permanent basis. The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership to the Group's Finance team, ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and insightful financial information. Working in close partnership with the Chief Finance Officer and Senior Leadership Team, the HOF will play a pivotal role in shaping and implementing financial strategies that support the Group's educational mission, long-term sustainability, and regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the preparation and submission of statutory financial statements for the Group, ensuring compliance with DfE and audit requirements, and maintaining high standards of financial governance and transparency.
Oversee the implementation and optimisation of new finance systems and digital tools, driving change to improve data accuracy, reporting capability, and operational efficiency across the organisation.
Ensure accurate lease accounting under applicable financial reporting standards relevant to the education sector.
Champion continuous process improvement within the Finance function, identifying opportunities to streamline financial operations, enhance internal controls, and improve service delivery to internal and external stakeholders.
Ensure all financial activities align with Financial Regulations, sector-specific compliance requirements, and statutory obligations.
Provide high-quality financial insight and analysis to inform both strategic planning and operational decision-making across academic and support functions.
Lead the year-end process, including coordination of external audit, preparation of working papers, and submission of consolidated accounts to the DfE and relevant stakeholders.
Maintain oversight of balance sheet controls, capital project reporting, and short- and long-term cash flow forecasting to support financial resilience and investment planning.
Manage and oversee the annual budget-setting process and rolling monthly forecasts, promoting collaboration and accountability throughout curriculum and support areas.
Ensure full compliance with all tax-related matters including VAT, Corporation Tax, and off-payroll working regulations (IR35), liaising with HMRC and sector bodies as needed.
Build and maintain effective relationships with both internal and external auditors
Monitor and evaluate financial service delivery performance, using feedback and data to drive continual improvement in finance support to the wider organisation.
Candidate Requirements:
Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong technical expertise and a solid grounding in financial reporting standards and statutory compliance.
Proven experience in leading the preparation of statutory accounts, ideally within a regulated or public sector environment.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence senior stakeholders, particularly non-finance leaders.
Demonstrated understanding of financial principles, standards, and best practice, with a continuous improvement mindset.
A successful track record of leading budgeting, forecasting, and financial control processes, along with experience in developing and mentoring high-performing finance teams.
Minimum of 3 years in a senior finance leadership role, including at least 2 years of line management responsibility.
Experience operating in a complex organisational environment, with a sound understanding of governance, financial risk, and compliance.
Sound judgment and the ability to analyse and interpret financial data to support informed decision-making.
Proactive in keeping up to date with changes in financial legislation, sector guidance, and regulatory requirements.
Awareness of the strategic objectives and core mission of educational institutions; prior experience in education or the wider public sector is desirable but not essential.
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