finance analyst

David Ross Education Trust; Burton on the Wolds; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK Educational Trust is seeking a Finance Analyst to join their finance team. This full-time role involves supporting monthly accounts preparation, budgeting, and forecasting. Ideal candidates should have AAT Level 4 or equivalent, strong finance experience, and excellent Excel skills. The position offers a salary of £28,142-£30,518 per annum, along with various benefits including a pension scheme and flexible working options.

Benefits

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

31 days annual leave plus statutory holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working patterns

Free on-site parking

Holiday discounts, cinema tickets, restaurant booking discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience with month end processes and reporting.
• Demonstrable experience with finance systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparation of monthly management accounts.
• Support the preparation of the annual budget and forecasts.
• Provide financial analysis to support decision-making.
• Perform monthly labour cost reconciliations.

Skills

Experience in Finance

Excellent Excel skills

Strong attention to detail

Excellent communication skills

Education

Level 4 AAT or equivalent

Job description

Overview

The finance analyst role provides a great opportunity for an AAT level 3 or 4 or part qualified accountant to join our friendly and supportive finance team. This is a key role which will provide insight and financial support across the Trust's operations and will contribute to informed decision-making and effective financial management. The successful candidate will support the FP&A Manager and finance business partners with monthly accounts preparation, budgeting and forecasting processes, and reconciling labour costs to forecast. You'll work closely with finance colleagues and academies to ensure financial data is clear, accurate and timely.

Responsibilities

• Assist the FP&A Manager with the preparation of monthly management accounts and dashboards for the Trust, ensuring reports are accurate and clear with insightful commentary.
• Support the FP&A Manager with the preparation of the annual budget and in-year forecasts, including setting up models and preparing trust-wide reports.
• Be a super user for our budgeting system and manage the systems administration.
• Provide financial analysis, insight and challenge to support decision-making and drive financial performance.
• Perform monthly labour cost reconciliations, using multiple data sources to understand variances between actual and forecast cost, and identify and implement changes required for the next forecast update.
• Investigate discrepancies and work closely with HR, finance colleagues and schools to resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Be the expert in labour expenditure reporting, providing insight into key cost drivers.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the finance team to support delivery of finance process and systems improvement projects.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Hold Level 4 AAT or equivalent (applicants with strong experience or AAT Level 3 and currently studying Level 4 will be considered) or be a part qualified accountant.
• Experience in Finance with month end processes and reporting, and a good working knowledge of accounting principles, including accruals and prepayments.
• Demonstrable experience with finance systems and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Excellent Excel skills, highly numerate with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work to deadlines and manage multiple priorities.

Equal Opportunity and Safeguarding

The David Ross Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff. It is our objective to ensure that job applicants and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential. We do not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of any protected characteristics.

The David Ross Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo vetting appropriate to the post, including a social media presence check and Enhanced DBS check. The successful applicant will be expected to adhere to all safeguarding, welfare and health and safety policies and procedures of the Trust. All pre-employment checks are in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance.

Role Details

This is full-time - 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, permanent role.

Salary & Benefits

• NJC11-NJC16 - FTE £28,142-£30,518 per annum
• Access to Local Government Pension Scheme
• 31 days annual leave plus statutory holidays
• Commitment to employee Health and Wellbeing including dedicated Employee Assistance Programme
• Awards and Recognition Scheme
• Flexible working patterns
• Free on-site parking
• Benefits Platform
• Holiday discounts, cinema tickets, restaurant booking discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme