Finance Manager

AD WARRIOR; Cobham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading music school located in Cobham is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to handle their accounting and financial systems. This role requires a qualified accountant expert in budget management, reporting, and providing financial oversight while promoting the welfare of students. The position offers a competitive salary and generous benefits including a pension scheme and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Free parking

Free school lunch

Use of swimming pool

Life Assurance

Health cash plan provided by Medicash

Qualifications

• Experienced accountant with knowledge of financial regulations.
• Ability to manage budgets and cash flow effectively.
• Proficient in maintaining accounts and reconciliations.

Responsibilities

• Provision of a full accounting service for the School and its entities.
• Prepare and analyze monthly management accounts.
• Line management of Accounts Assistant and overseeing payroll duties.

Skills

Problem-solving

Initiative

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualified

Job description

Finance Manager

Location: Stoke d’Abernon, Cobham

Salary: Competitive

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time

Start Date: November 2025

Closing Date: Friday 15 August 2025

The School is a specialist music school based in Stoke d’Abernon, Cobham, they are looking for a permanent, full-time Finance Manager to start in November 2025.

The hours are 8.30am until 5.00pm Monday to Friday (flexible working will be considered). 25 days holiday per annum plus public holidays.

The Finance Manager will be an experienced accountant responsible for the effective and efficient operation, maintenance and development of the accounting and financial procedures and systems of the School and its subsidiaries, working within the legal and regulatory frameworks as guided by ISBA policies under the direction of the Bursar. The role specifically demands a high level of understanding in the areas covered in the role and the ability to deal with ad hoc queries using own initiative and problem-solving skills with minimal supervision.

The role brings with it responsibility for being a self-starter in developing knowledge, ensuring quality standards for all processes, and identifying corrective actions, while conducting strict confidentiality and discretion in alignment with the school ethos.

As with all members of the team you will provide effective and efficient support to the Bursar and proactively contribute to the smooth running of the Bursary Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible and with whom you come into contact.
• Provision of a full accounting service for The School Limited, YMS Enterprises, YMS China and the linked charity.
• Maintaining accurate accounts for all entities with rigorous, efficient, and timely processes, including reconciliation and in-depth understanding of all control and balance sheet accounts and processes across purchase and fees ledgers.
• Liaison with Development Team and Menuhin Hall Director and Head of Commercial Activities ensuring accurate and reconciled recognition of income with systems in use in those departments.
• Prepare, review, and analyse monthly management accounts including forecasting to year end for all entities.
• Budget management: correspond regularly with budget-holders to ensure spending is in line with phased budget throughout the year.
• Cash flow management: maintain bank balances across all entities’ accounts to ensure adequate levels, managing savings deposits to maximise interest income, forecasting cash flow on a minimum 12 month rolling basis.
• Maintaining a Fixed Asset Register and reconciliation to the Fixed Assets in the accounts, including musical instruments in collaboration with the Music Department.
• Supporting the Bursar in preparation of annual budgets for all entities.
• Liaison with auditors for the annual audit and implementation of improvements arising from unadjusted or adjusted errors and Management Letter recommendations.
• Monthly payroll duties including preparation, execution, review, reporting, posting to accounts and all relevant payments including pension.
• Oversight and / or execution of year end obligations and documentation issuance to employees, and liaison with HMRC and pension providers.
• Line management of Accounts Assistant.
• Cover for Accounts Assistant in all aspects of the role, to include all Sales and Purchase Ledger management activities.
• Assist Bursar in the annual MDS and bursary assessment process.
• Preparation of quarterly returns for VAT group.

Benefits

• Generous pension scheme contributing 13.5% every month, with the employee contributing at least 6%
• Free parking
• Free school lunch during term times
• Use of the School’s swimming pool when available
• Free lunchtime concerts
• Discounted tickets to other school events
• Counselling services
• Life Assurance
• A health cash plan provided by Medicash

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable School, please click apply to complete your application.

The closing date for applications isFriday 15 August 2025, however they reserve the right to close the position early should a suitable candidate be found.

Interviews to take place will be confirmed.

The School is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children. The School is registered with the DBS and successful applicants will be required to complete successfully the Disclosure Procedure at Enhanced level. It is an offence for a person barred from working with children to apply for this post.

The School is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.