Interim Finance Manager

Summary: The Interim Finance Manager role at a Multi Academy Trust in Featherstone involves overseeing financial operations for multiple schools, focusing on business partnering, stakeholder engagement, and strategic financial oversight. The position requires strong financial management skills, including budget oversight and compliance with regulations. The role is essential for ensuring financial accountability and supporting decision-making within the Trust. This is a 6-month contract with a salary range of £50,000 to £55,000 annually, pro rata.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the financial management of the Trust's lead school, overseeing a budget of approximately £5 million.
• Initially responsible for the finances of two smaller schools, with scope to expand across the Trust.
• Prepare and present monthly management accounts, including detailed commentaries and variance analysis.
• Develop and maintain robust forecasting models and annual budgets in collaboration with school leadership teams.
• Ensure timely and accurate VAT returns and compliance with HMRC regulations.
• Maintain strong balance sheet controls, including reconciliations and financial integrity checks.
• Oversee financial planning, monitoring, and reporting for capital projects, including a £3 million building works programme across two schools.
• Liaise with contractors, project managers, and internal stakeholders to ensure financial accountability and value for money.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Headteachers, Deputy Heads, and senior leadership teams, providing financial insights to support decision-making.
• Monitor and advise on discretionary spending by school leaders, ensuring alignment with regulatory frameworks and internal policies.
• Build strong relationships across the Trust to promote financial awareness and accountability.
• Lead the year-end audit process, preparing schedules, liaising with external auditors, and ensuring statutory compliance.
• Support the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures across the Trust.

Key Skills:

• Proven experience in a finance role within education, public sector, or a similarly regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of budget management, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple sites.
• Experience with capital project finance and audit preparation.
• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) is desirable.
• Experience within a Multi Academy Trust or school finance environment is desirable.
• Knowledge of academy financial regulations and ESFA reporting requirements is desirable.

Salary (Rate): £55,000 yearly

City: Featherstone

Country: UK

Working Arrangements: undetermined

IR35 Status: undetermined

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: Other