Finance Manager

Uppingham School; Uppingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Westfield Healthcare

Free staff lunches in term-time

Staff fee discount for children

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Occupational Health Services

Free annual flu jabs

Disability Confident

Mindful employer

Local discounts

Job summary

Uppingham School is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead the school's operational finance function, managing a team of six and delivering accurate month-end and year-end reporting, management accounts, and financial controls.

You will work with the Financial Controller, CFO and budget holders to challenge and improve financial performance while supporting audit, VAT and statutory reporting, and opportunities to modernise finance systems.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant or studying ACA/ACCA/CIMA.
• Strong month-end and year-end close experience.
• Experience budgeting and forecasting with non-finance budget holders.
• Proven ability to lead a finance team.
• Excellent Excel and finance systems skills.
• Commitment to process improvement.
• Audit, VAT and statutory reporting experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end and year-end reporting and close.
• Produce management accounts and balance-sheet reconciliations.
• Oversee budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Maintain robust financial controls and governance.
• Support audit, VAT and statutory reporting activities.
• Collaborate with Financial Controller, CFO and budget holders.

Skills

Month-end close

Year-end close

Management accounts

Balance sheet reconciliations

Financial controls

Budgeting and forecasting

Finance team leadership

Excel

Finance systems

Process improvement

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

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 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 supporting audit, VAT, Gift Aid and statutory reporting processes would be advantageous., 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.

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