Description & Requirements
On behalf of Department for Education, we are looking for an Assistant Finance Manager (InsideIR35) for a contract until March 2027 based hybrid in either Manchester, Sheffield, Coventry or Darlington. Office attendance is 2 days a week.
Role Profile:
To support the delivery of a major financial reporting programme focused on the Further Education (FE) sector.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the implementation of a new and innovative approach to FE sector financial reporting and consolidation. Working within a specialist finance team, you will help support the FE Dry Run 2026, future live financial collections, stakeholder engagement activities, technical accounting analysis, and the development of reporting processes that will inform government decision-making.
The role is project-focused and requires a strong blend of accounting knowledge, stakeholder management, analytical capability, and excellent communication skills.
As an Assistant Finance Manager, your main responsibilities will be to:
Support the development and delivery of the FE Dry Run 2026, Live Collection 2027 and wider FE financial reporting activities.
Assist with the preparation and delivery of FE financial estimates, supplementary reporting, Statements of Parliamentary Supply (SOPS), and associated reporting outputs.
Draft and contribute to technical accounting papers, guidance notes and supporting documentation.
Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including FE colleges and wider government teams.
Support sector engagement and communications activities relating to financial data collection.
Assist in the design and improvement of financial reporting processes and data collection methodologies.
Consolidate, validate, analyse and interpret financial data received from the sector.
Produce clear reports, insights and recommendations based on collected financial information.
Support the development of efficient end-to-end data collection and reporting processes.
Provide wider support to senior finance managers and programme leads as required.
Essential:
Fully Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) or part qualified.
Experience drafting technical accounting papers, accounting position papers or financial guidance documentation.
Strong understanding of accounting standards and financial reporting frameworks, including FRS 102 and/or public sector financial reporting principles.
Advanced Excel skills with the ability to manipulate, validate and analyse large datasets.
Experience working with multiple stakeholders and managing relationships across complex organisations.
Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities effectively.
Desirable:
Public sector finance experience.
Knowledge of HM Treasury guidance and the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM).
Knowledge of financial reporting systems such as Adaptive Planning.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Department for Education guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.
Armed Forces Covenant
Department for Education guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different."