Academies Finance Manager

Shorefields; Tendring; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Free Perkbox membership

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Job summary

The Sigma Trust is seeking a Trust Finance Manager to lead financial administration across multiple academies in North East Essex. You will manage budgets, monitor financial performance and ensure compliance with Department for Education frameworks and trust policies.

Reporting to the Finance Director, you will prepare management accounts, support forecasting, and collaborate with Headteachers to promote robust financial practices across the Trust. Experience in education finance is preferred.

Qualifications

• Senior finance professional with direct budget management experience.
• Proven track record in budget preparation, monitoring and forecasting.
• Experience in preparing and presenting financial and management accounts, reports and data.
• Knowledge of operating accounting software systems.
• Experience of working in a school or academy.
• A Professional Accountancy Qualification would be desirable.

Responsibilities

• Financial Administration: Managing financial procedures across multiple academies per Department for Education frameworks.
• Budget Monitoring & Reporting: Work with the Finance Director and Head teachers to monitor budgets and ensure accurate reporting.
• Financial Approvals and Restrictions: Authorise purchases within delegation limits and ensure compliance with regulations and grant conditions.

Skills

Senior budget management

Budget preparation & monitoring

Financial reporting & forecasting

Accounting software experience

Experience in school/academy

Education

Professional Accountancy Qualification

Tools

Accounting software systems

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC0-128S Position Type: Administration Pay Range: Scale 8, Points 25-28

Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 05/10/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: 8th October 2026

Hours: 37 hours per week, 52.14 weeks per year

Pay Range: Local Government Pay Scale 8 Points 25-28

Start Date: November/December 2026

The Sigma Trust is a local partnership of academies in North East Essex and we are currently looking for an outstanding individual to join our Central Team to provide professional timely financial guidance and support to the Sigma schools.

(The full details can be found in the attached Job Outline and Person Specification).

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Financial Administration: Executing financial management procedures across multi-phase academies in strict accordance with Department for Education frameworks, expectations on public spending, and Trust policies.
• Budget Monitoring & Reporting: Partnering with the Finance Director and Head teachers to monitor budgets, support clear, accurate financial reporting and ensuring strong financial practices within the Trust academies.
• Financial Approvals and Restrictions: Reviewing and authorising purchases up to designated delegation limits while ensuring all expenditure complies strictly with educational purchasing regulations, ring fenced grant restrictions, and value for money guidelines.

We're looking for you if you have:

• Experience at a senior finance level of direct management of budgets
• Proven experience of budget preparation, setting and monitoring and financial forecasting
• Proven experience of preparing and presenting financial and management accounts, reports and data
• Knowledge and experience of operating accounting software systems
• Experience of working in a school or academy
• A Professional Accountancy Qualification would be desirable

Why work for The Sigma Trust, Sigma Central?

We can offer you:

• Robust school CPD training programme that enables you to flourish
• Opportunities to work with colleagues across the Trust to share resources, ideas and build collaborative relationships

Employee benefits include:

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension scheme
• Free membership to Perkbox
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership at selected local gyms

Please note that an integration period applies to all new staff joining the Trust, to support introduction into the organisation.

Additional Information:

For additional information about the Trust and this school, please visit our websitewww.sigmatrust.org.uk

Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision 'To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts', where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.

Information about the School

SafeguardingThe Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Documents

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Trust Finance Manager

Schools for Every Child, Rayleigh Closing: 25/09/2026 Midday