Finance Business Partner – Education Trust (Hybrid)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

LGPS membership

Professional development & career prog

Job summary

Forward Education Trust is seeking a permanent full-time financial professional to lead the management accounts, budgeting and forecasting across the Trust. The post sits in the central team of six special schools and involves partnering with senior leaders and Trustees in a hybrid role with up to two days of home working.

The role covers year-end preparation, statutory returns, payroll reconciliations and strong financial systems development, with oversight of external audits and compliance

Qualifications

• Recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
• Significant experience in management accounting, budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience of year-end accounts preparation and working with auditors.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation and delivery of monthly management accounts across the Trust.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and medium-term financial planning.
• Provide strategic financial analysis, modelling and business partnering to school and Trust leaders.
• Lead year-end preparation and statutory financial returns.
• Support external audit activity.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and key balance sheet controls.
• Drive development and implementation of financial systems, controls and reporting across schools and central teams.
• Provide information and assurance to the Director of Finance & Operations and the CEO as Accounting Officer.
• Oversee outsourced finance support, including quality assurance and process improvement.
• Ensure compliance with academy, charity and financial regulations.
• Contribute to Trust-wide strategic planning, growth and development initiatives.
• Work with school leaders and Central Office to ensure funding is identified, secured and managed.

Skills

Analytical

Excel

Modelling

Communication

Relationship-building

Problem solving

Education

Accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Forward Education Trust is seeking a permanent full-time financial professional to lead the management accounts, budgeting and forecasting across the Trust. The post sits in the central team of six special schools and involves partnering with senior leaders and Trustees in a hybrid role with up to two days of home working.

The role covers year-end preparation, statutory returns, payroll reconciliations and strong financial systems development, with oversight of external audits and compliance