Finance Business Partner

West London College; London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in London is seeking an experienced Finance Business Partner to enhance financial performance and support educational objectives. Responsibilities include budget preparation, monitoring financial positions of cost centres, and providing training to staff. AAT qualified or part-qualified accountants with strong budgeting and communication skills are encouraged to apply. An attractive salary and benefits package are offered.

Benefits

Excellent Holiday Allowance

Eye care vouchers

Cycle to Work scheme

Interest-free loans for Season tickets

Contributory pension scheme

Continuous Professional Development Events

Access to Perkbox

Employee Assistance Programme

Discount at the College's hair and beauty salon

Qualifications

• Minimum three years accounting experience.
• Experience managing staff and producing management accounts.
• Ability to explain complex financial matters to non-financial colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation of annual budgets and management accounts.
• Monitor financial position of cost centres and advise managers.
• Support procurement and ensure compliance.
• Contribute to year-end accounts and treasury management.
• Train managers and staff to improve financial awareness.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Qualified AAT or part-qualified accountant (CIPFA, CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW)

Tools

Finance systems

Job description

Hours

36 hours per week

Contract

Full time, permanent

Salary

£46,447 - £51,278 per annum

Closing Date

26/09/2025

Location

Hammersmith Campus (with occasional travel to other sites as required)

About us

At West London College, we are committed to championing innovation and creativity, and we invite you to join us on this journey. We welcome applicants who can share our values of Ambition, Innovation, Accountability, Collaboration and Inclusion. We have three college sites across West London: Ealing, Hammersmith, and Southall. By bringing your skills to the College, you will have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in our students' education and future.

As a diverse College in the UK, we offer an exciting, innovative and stimulating work environment with a wide variety of employment opportunities and a culture focused on Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement.

For further information about the College, please visit our website.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Finance Business Partner to join our Finance team. In this key role, you will work closely with the Director of Finance and act as a trusted partner to budget holders across the College. You will proactively identify, plan and meet the financial needs of the business to drive improved performance and ensure value for money.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with the preparation of annual budgets, management accounts, and cashflow reports.
• Monitoring the financial position of all cost centres, advising managers, and recommending corrective action where required.
• Supporting procurement and contract management, ensuring compliance and best practice.
• Contributing to the year-end accounts, grant claims, VAT returns, and treasury management.
• Training and supporting managers and staff to improve financial awareness and accountability.
• Acting as deputy for the Director of Finance when required.
• This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the heart of the College, influencing financial decisions and supporting both commercial and educational objectives.

What we're looking for

You will be a qualified AAT or part-qualified accountant (CIPFA, CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW), or qualified by experience, with at least three years' accounting experience. You will have strong skills in budgeting, financial reporting, and stakeholder management, with excellent communication skills to explain complex financial matters to non-financial colleagues. Experience managing staff, using finance systems, and producing management accounts is essential.

What we offer

Our team are important to us, and we offer a wide range of benefits to recognise the hard work put into supporting our learners. As a team member, you will receive:

• Excellent Holiday Allowance, plus bank holidays (8) and College closure days at Christmas (3)
• Eye care vouchers
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Interest-free loans for Season tickets; Computers
• Contributory average salary with Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Continuous Professional Development Events (CPD)
• Access to Perkbox, our rewards and discount platform
• Access to the College's Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Discount at the College's on-site hair and beauty salon

Important Information

The safety and welfare of our learners and staff are extremely important to us, and this is why we pride ourselves on our safeguarding procedures. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note it is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activities relevant to children.

We encourage and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or identity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnership.

To apply, please complete an application form before the closing date specified, as CVs will not be accepted. Please ensure you also include a supporting statement as part of your application, addressing how you meet the Person Specification.

In submitting your application for this position, it is strictly prohibited to use any form of AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools or automation. By applying, you confirm that all content is your own and not generated or assisted by AI.

We reserve the right to close the submission deadline earlier than expected, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.