Finance Manager

Uppingham School; Oakham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Westfield Healthcare

Free staff lunches in term-time

School fee discount for staff children

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Disability Confident employer

Mindful employer

Job summary

Uppingham School is seeking a Finance Manager to lead the operational finance function. You will manage a team of six and own month‑end and year‑end reporting, management accounts, reconciliations, budgeting and forecasting, and financial controls.

You will shape and modernise finance systems and participate in a major finance transformation programme across purchase‑to‑pay, expenses, reporting and controls.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant, or actively studying towards an ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification.
• Experience with month-end and year-end close, management accounts, balance-sheet reconciliations and financial controls.
• Experience in budgeting and forecasting, working with non-finance budget holders and leading a finance team.
• Strong Excel and finance-systems skills; interest in process improvement and systems development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the month-end and year-end close processes and deliver accurate reporting.
• Oversee management accounts, balance-sheet reconciliations and financial controls.
• Coordinate budgeting, forecasting and working with budget holders across the school.
• Support internal and statutory reporting, audit activities and improvements to financial processes.

Skills

Analytical

Organised

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or studying

Tools

Excel

Finance systems

Job description

Finance Manager

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Salary: circa £50,000, commensurate with experience.

Uppingham School is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead the operational finance function across the school.

This is a broad and influential role, managing a team of six and taking responsibility for the delivery of accurate month-end and year-end reporting, management accounts, balance-sheet reconciliations, budgeting and forecasting, transactional finance, financial controls, audit support and statutory reporting activities. You will work closely with the Financial Controller, CFO and budget holders across the school, acting as a trusted finance partner to budget holders, providing challenge, insight and support to improve decision-making and financial performance.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious accountant to take ownership of a broad and influential finance remit and work closely with the Financial Controller and CFO within a large and complex organisation.

Alongside maintaining strong financial processes, you will have the opportunity to help shape and modernise Uppingham’s finance systems and ways of working. You will play a leading role in a significant finance transformation programme, supporting system and process improvements across purchase-to-pay, expenses, credit cards, reporting, workflows and financial controls.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant, or actively studying towards an ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification, with strong experience of month-end and year-end close, management accounts, balance-sheet reconciliations and financial controls. You will also bring experience of budgeting and forecasting, working with non-finance budget holders and leading and developing a finance team. Strong Excel and finance-systems skills, together with an interest in process improvement and systems development, are essential.

You will be analytical, organised and accurate, with the confidence to challenge constructively and the communication skills to build effective relationships across a complex organisation. A practical, service-focused approach and a commitment to continuous improvement will also be important in this role. Experience of supporting audit, VAT, Gift Aid and statutory reporting processes would be advantageous.

What we offer:

When you join us, you become part of a community that appreciates and supports its team members. You will enjoy a range of benefits that reflects our appreciation:

• Free Westfield Healthcare
• Free membership of dual-use Sports Centre (£25 annual joining fee)
• Free staff lunches in term-time
• School fee discount for children of Uppingham staff (pro-rated for part-time staff)
• Retail, gym, supermarket, cinema and restaurant discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health Services
• Free annual flu jabs
• Recognised as a "Disability Confident" employer
• Recognised as a "Mindful" employer
• Favourable rates and terms with local nursery
• Complimentary staff ticket to selected school performances
• Discount at local coffee shop for Uppingham staff

The closing date for applications is 16th October 2026.

Uppingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo full screening in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils will be explored at interview.