Finance Manager

The Shires; Studley CP; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A multi-academy trust in the UK is looking for an experienced Finance Manager to join their finance team. The role involves delivering financial reporting, management accounts, and compliance across a multi-million-pound organization. Candidates should have strong technical finance skills and experience in management accounting. The position offers a competitive salary with various employee benefits including a generous pension scheme and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Professional development opportunities

Cycle-to-work scheme

Employee assistance program

Free flu jabs

Access to mental health first aiders

Qualifications

• Qualified or part-qualified finance professional.
• Experience in charity or public sector finance.
• Ability to influence decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts with analysis.
• Support budget preparation and forecasts.
• Deliver monthly reconciliations and accruals.
• Assist with cash flow statements.
• Maintain fixed asset registers and payroll journals.
• Liaise with auditors for compliance.

Skills

Management accounting

Financial planning

Technical finance skills

Compliance

Stakeholder management

Education

CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Location: Trust Offices (Redditch area), with travel to schools as required (expenses allowance provided). Shires Multi Academy Trust is seeking to appoint an experienced Finance Manager to join our Trust finance team. This is a key role responsible for delivering high-quality financial reporting, management accounts, and compliance across a multi-million-pound organisation. The successful candidate will bring strong technical finance skills (ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA or equivalent, or working towards this), with proven experience in management accounting, financial planning, and audit liaison. You will play a pivotal role in supporting strategic decision-making and ensuring robust financial governance across the Trust, supporting our vision of 'Growing together through Nurture, Equity, Service and Wisdom'.

Responsibilities

• Preparing accurate and timely monthly management accounts with analysis of variances, risks, and opportunities
• Support the preparation of robust and realistic budgets, taking responsibility for detailed budget lines and forecasts, and working closely with senior finance staff to ensure alignment with Trust priorities.
• Delivering monthly reconciliations, accruals, and prepayments to ensure robust financial control
• Assist with the preparation of monthly cash flow statements, identifying any issues or risks
• Maintaining fixed asset registers and preparing depreciation journals
• Leading on payroll journals and reconciliations
• Liaising with auditors and ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory reporting requirements
• Support the CFO with the preparation and submission of statutory returns
• Providing finance training and support to non-finance colleagues, helping build financial understanding across the organisation

Qualifications

• Qualified or part-qualified finance professional (CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA or equivalent), or someone with strong management accounting experience in the charity, not-for-profit, public, or commercial sectors.
• Excellent technical skills, ability to work with multiple stakeholders, and confidence to influence decision-making.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Generous pension scheme (LGPS employer contribution rate above 20%, accrual at 1/49th of salary per year)
• Professional development and CPD opportunities
• Opportunities to take on greater responsibility as the Trust grows
• Employee benefits: cycle-to-work scheme, free parking, EAP, free flu jabs, access to mental health first aiders, staff events and opportunity to become part of a thriving trust community with many showcases, staff events and even a staff choir