Finance Lead

Forward Education Trust; Tile Cross; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

LGPS membership

Ongoing professional development

Career progression opportunities

Supportive leadership team

Real impact across the Trust

Job summary

Forward Education Trust is seeking a Finance Lead to join our central team and drive budgeting, forecasting and financial planning across the Trust's academies. Reporting to the Director of Finance & Operations, you will deliver monthly management accounts, support school leaders with financial insight and ensure robust controls.

You will be professionally qualified with strong Excel modelling and partner with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Qualified accounting designation (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA or equivalent).
• Experience in management accounting, budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience with year-end accounts and audits.
• Strong analytical skills and Excel modelling.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly management accounts across the Trust.
• Coordinate budgeting, forecasting and medium-term financial planning.
• Provide strategic financial analysis and business partnering support.
• Lead year-end preparation, external audit activity and statutory returns.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and balance sheet controls.
• Support development of robust financial systems, controls and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with academy, charity and financial regulations.
• Contribute to Trust-wide strategic planning, growth and development initiatives.

Skills

Management accounting

Budgeting and forecasting

Analytical skills

Excel modelling

Stakeholder engagement

Interpersonal communication

Education

Accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Forward Education Trust

Salary: Grade G, Points 43 to 55 (£44,372 to £54,745) per annum.
Contract: Permanent, Full Time (36.5 hours per week), Full Year
Working Pattern: Hybrid working available with maximum 2 days per week working from home

Join Forward Education Trust as our Finance Lead

Forward Education Trust is seeking an exceptional Finance Lead to join our central team and play a key role in supporting the strategic and operational management of the Trust's finances.

This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified person, who is looking to make a meaningful difference within a values-driven organisation that is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people across our academies. Finance at this Trust is much more than just numbers - it’s about understanding what’s behind the numbers, making money work for us in the best way possible, for our children and staff.

Reporting to the Director of Finance & Operations, you will provide financial leadership across the Trust, leading on budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, compliance and financial planning. You will work closely with Headteachers, senior leaders and Trustees, providing high-quality financial insight to support effective decision-making and long-term sustainability.

About the Role

As Finance Lead, you will:

• Lead the preparation and delivery of monthly management accounts across the Trust.
• Coordinate budgeting, forecasting and medium-term financial planning.
• Provide strategic financial analysis, modelling and business partnering support to school and Trust leaders.
• Lead year-end preparation, external audit activity and statutory financial returns.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and key balance sheet controls.
• Support the development of robust financial systems, controls and reporting processes.
• Ensure compliance with academy, charity and financial regulations.
• Contribute to Trust-wide strategic planning, growth and development initiatives.

This is a varied and influential role that combines operational finance expertise with strategic leadership and relationship management.

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated and professionally qualified person who can combine technical excellence with strong stakeholder engagement skills.

You will have:

• A 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.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex financial information.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• The confidence to provide support, challenge and advice to senior leaders.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement and problem solving.

Experience within an education or academy trust setting, or a charity, would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why Join Forward Education Trust?

At Forward Education Trust, we are committed to providing exceptional opportunities for our pupils and creating a collaborative and supportive environment for our staff.

We offer:

• Competitive salary.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative leadership team.
• The opportunity to make a real impact across the Trust.

Safeguarding

Forward Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

Forward Education Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.