Finance Manager

Allen Lane Interim and Permanent Recruitment; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious independent school is seeking a Finance Manager to oversee financial operations and support the Director of Finance & Operations. This full-time, permanent position offers a competitive salary and the chance to work within a supportive, values-driven environment. The role involves managing budgets, financial planning, and compliance efforts while leading a collaborative team. Ideal candidates should have finance management experience and a proactive approach to improve systems and processes. A beautiful campus setting and professional development opportunities are included.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension

Free parking

Subsidised meals

Professional development opportunities

Subsidised meals

Qualifications

• Experience in finance management or financial control is essential.
• Experience in financial operations, statutory reporting, and budgeting.
• Enjoys operational responsibility as well as improving systems and processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage all finance systems and controls day-to-day.
• Prepare annual accounts, payroll, and statutory submissions.
• Lead budgets, financial planning, and support decision-making.
• Ensure compliance and manage billing, VAT, audit, and banking.
• Conduct credit control, profitability analysis, and financial modelling.
• Manage the Finance Officer's performance.

Skills

Finance management

Financial control

Excellent communication skills

Collaborative approach

Education

Recognised accounting qualification

Job description

Title: Finance Manager
Location: Buckingham/Berkshire Border
Salary: c£55,000

A fantastic independent school in Buckinghamshire is seeking to appoint an experienced Finance Manager. This is a rare opportunity to join a thriving, values-driven educational organisation providing first-class teaching, boarding and co-curricular experiences for pupils aged 7 13. The school has invested significantly in its facilities, systems and learning environment and offers a highly supportive and collaborative workplace culture and continues to grow.

The Finance Manager will play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of all financial operations and controls, acting as second-in-command to the Director of Finance & Operations and deputising when required. You ll lead on financial systems, statutory reporting, audit, compliance, and financial planning while developing processes that continue to support the school s growth and ambitions.

The role

• Day-to-day management of all finance systems and controls
• Preparation of annual accounts, payroll and statutory submissions
• Managing budgets, financial planning and supporting SLT decision-making
• Responsible for billing, VAT, compliance, audit and banking
• Credit control, cost and profitability analysis, and financial modelling
• Line management of the Finance Officer
• Liaison with stakeholders including auditors, HMRC, insurers and banks
• Supporting the Director of Finance & Operations and acting as deputy

What makes this role attractive?

• Work at one of the UK s most respected independent schools
• Supportive senior leadership team and engaged governing body
• Opportunity to shape and modernise finance systems and processes
• A broad and varied role with genuine ownership and autonomy
• Strong organisational values and commitment to staff development
• A professional, friendly and collaborative working environment

Ideal candidate profile

• Has experience in finance management or financial control
• Ideally holds (or is working towards) a recognised accounting qualification
• Brings experience in financial operations, statutory reporting and budgeting
• Enjoys operational responsibility as well as improving systems and processes
• Has a proactive, collaborative approach and excellent communication skills

Benefits and working pattern

• Full-time, permanent position
• Term-time plus holiday working pattern (52 weeks per year)
• Competitive salary and pension
• Beautiful campus setting
• Free parking and subsidised meals
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Supportive, family-friendly environment, discount fees for the school

How to apply

If you would like to learn more about the role and receive a full candidate pack, please get in touch.