Finance Business Partner

The Opportunity:

For this Lead Finance Partner position, you will report to the Director of Finance and will provide high quality finance advisory services to their clients.

This is a 2ic position. Primarily you will provide high quality finance advisory services to clients. In time, you will oversee a team of Finance Partners and more junior finance staff, leading by example and coaching the team through continuous improvement.

You will be responsible for ensuring the finance function proactively supports the best interests of the schools and academies to achieve their objectives.

Some of the key responsibilities for this successful person would be but not limited to:

• Lead, proactively manage and influence a small team team to deliver KPI’s and business results.


• Coach and support the team to ensure they are as efficient as possible and continuing to raise the quality of the service delivered to clients.


• As a Subject Matter Expert (SME), support the business with expert technical knowledge and expertise.


• To provide specialist hands on support and advice to stakeholders in relation to a wide range of finance issues.


• To aid in the development of multi-year financial planning and monitoring, cash-flow management and the recording of fixed assets.


• To support clients with timely budget preparation, forecasting and monitoring.


• To ensure that each customers financial year is closed down in a timely and robust manner, and that the underlying records to support the final accounts are accurate.


• To produce financial reports and present these to Boards and Governing Bodies.


• To be actively involved in the production of accurate, timely monthly management information.


• Supporting clients to ensure they have appropriate and effective financial systems in place in accordance with agreed policies and timetables. 


• Supporting in ensuring accurate financial records are maintained.


• Supporting clients in ensuring that financial transactions are carried out in an appropriate manner and that the financial regulations are observed, including all arrangements for VAT.


• Support in procuring services and undertaking financial evaluations to secure value for money.


• To ensure that stakeholders and Staff receive effective and appropriate advice and support on all practical aspects of financial management.


• To build up effective, collaborative, dynamic relationships with all their customers.


• To work collaboratively with the HR, Governance and H&S arms of the team, to offer clients a seamless service.

The Candidate:

The successful Lead Finance Business Partner - Lead will be/have:

• Part Qualified or Fully Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA)


• Experience working in a similar finance position or this might be the step up you are looking for to move to the next level in your career    


• Education sector experience is required, either working in a Primary or Secondary School/s or Multi Academy Trust/s.


• Alternatively, we will consider candidates from a Practice or Local Authority background who have a grasp of how Education funding works


• You will be an experienced leader who can build and develop a strong and successful finance team and support the Director of Finance as a 2ic


• Ability to coach & influence external partners     


• Confidence in presenting financial information to non-finance audiences         


• Experience of producing complex budgets and year-end accounting    


• Proven experience of developing and implementing procedures to strengthen current practice    


• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast paced and agile environment, working collaboratively and openly with others    


• Excellent communication; both oral and written, with strong interpersonal skills     


• Excellent IT skills (i.e., Excel, Outlook, Word)    

Benefits:

26 days holiday plus public holidays

Holiday buy back scheme

Generous pension package

BUPA Cash Payment

Hybrid working and Flexible working arrangements

Cycle Scheme

Company events

Tailored learning and development programmes

An inclusive and open workplace

They have big ambitions for the future - and therefore want to speak to the right individuals with the right energy and values to take them there.

Please contact for a confidential discussion.