Chief Finance Officer (CFO) /Director of Finance

TES FE News; Bishop's Stortford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A distinguished state boarding school in Bishop's Stortford seeks a Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to lead financial strategy and management. This role requires a qualified accountant with senior financial management experience, excellent communication skills, and a track record in education or not-for-profit sectors. The CFO will oversee financial planning, budgeting, and compliance, contributing significantly to the school's future.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to provide clear financial insight and advice at Board/Trustee level.
• Strong technical knowledge of statutory reporting, charity accounting and DfE requirements.
• Experience of managing significant income streams with strong financial controls.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and clear financial advice to the Principal.
• Manage and develop the Finance Team, embedding robust financial systems.
• Identify and secure additional income streams for financial sustainability.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Financial management

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

Job Overview

Hockerill Anglo-European College is a high-performing, co-educational state boarding school with an international ethos and a reputation for academic excellence. We offer a unique and vibrant environment where over 900 students, including 40% boarders, benefit from the challenge of the International Baccalaureate curriculum and an outstanding extra-curricular programme.

We are seeking to appoint a Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to play a key role in the strategic leadership of the College. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to make a significant impact on the future of a distinctive and thriving school.

The Role

As CFO, You Will

• Provide strategic leadership and clear financial advice to the Principal, Governing Board and senior leadership team.
• Lead the financial planning, budgeting and reporting cycle, ensuring accuracy, transparency and compliance with all statutory requirements.
• Manage and develop the Finance Team, embedding robust financial systems, controls and policies.
• Oversee the College’s major income streams — including boarding fees, the General Annual Grant (GAG) and other government education funding — ensuring strong financial management, accurate billing and effective credit control.
• Ensure best value in procurement and oversee the College’s wider financial commitments.
• Identify and secure additional income streams, such as grant funding and external partnerships, to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
• Act as Company Secretary, ensuring compliance with Companies House, Charity Commission and DfE requirements.
  
  

About You

We are looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with senior financial management experience, ideally in education, charity, not-for-profit or a similarly regulated environment. You will have:

• Proven ability to provide clear financial insight and advice at Board/Trustee level.
• Strong technical knowledge of statutory reporting, charity accounting and DfE requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information to non-specialists.
• A track record of building positive relationships with stakeholders and leading high-performing teams.
• Experience of managing significant income streams, such as government grants, service fees or charitable funding, with strong financial controls.
• Ambition, integrity and a proactive approach to ensuring financial sustainability.
  
  

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the future of a unique state boarding school with a truly international ethos. You will join a committed and dynamic leadership team, with the chance to shape financial strategy and sustainability in support of world-class education.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. All post-holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) including barred list check.