Finance Manager

CMA Recruitment Group; Waterlooville; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement and flexible work

Professional training and career dev

Pension scheme

Employee assistance programmes

Job summary

CMA Recruitment Group is seeking a Finance Manager to oversee financial operations across affiliated schools in Waterlooville. You will ensure compliant, timely reporting and lead budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning.

The role covers month-end and year-end close, ledgers, payroll, cash flow, audits, and continuous process improvement within a collaborative, development‑oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Holds a recognised finance qualification (Level 4 AAT or above), or demonstrates relevant experience in finance management.
• Experience working within an educational or similar organisational environment is advantageous.
• Possesses strong leadership, team management, and motivational skills.
• Demonstrates excellent organisational, communication, and analytical abilities with an eye for process improvement.
• Committed to ongoing personal development and aligns with the organisation’s ethos and values.

Responsibilities

• Managing the organisation's financial processes, ensuring compliance with statutory and sector-specific regulations, and delivering accurate, timely financial reports.
• Leading the budgeting cycle, including preparing annual budgets and forecasts to support strategic planning.
• Overseeing month-end and year-end accounting procedures, including reconciliations, management accounts, and variance analysis.
• Maintaining control over purchase and sales ledgers, and overseeing payroll and cash flow activities.
• Supporting internal and external audit processes, implementing recommendations for continuous improvement, and ensuring clear audit trails.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Analytical skills

Communication

Process improvement

Education

AAT Level 4+

Tools

Excel

Accounting software

Job description

Are you an experienced finance professional seeking a rewarding role within the education sector? An established organisation based in Waterlooville is looking to appoint a Finance Manager to oversee financial operations across its affiliated schools. Committed to delivering quality education and fostering community engagement, this organisation offers an environment that values professional growth and collaborative working. Joining their dedicated team provides an opportunity to influence financial stewardship within a respected educational organisation, complemented by competitive pay, development opportunities, and a supportive culture.

What will the Finance Manager role involve?

• Managing the organisation's financial processes, ensuring compliance with statutory and sector-specific regulations, and delivering accurate, timely financial reports.
• Leading the budgeting cycle, including preparing annual budgets and forecasts to support strategic planning.
• Overseeing month-end and year-end accounting procedures, including reconciliations, management accounts, and variance analysis.
• Maintaining control over purchase and sales ledgers, and overseeing payroll and cash flow activities.
• Supporting internal and external audit processes, implementing recommendations for continuous improvement, and ensuring clear audit trails.

Suitable Candidate for the Finance Manager vacancy:

• Holds a recognised finance qualification (Level 4 AAT or above), or demonstrates relevant experience in finance management.
• Experience working within an educational or similar organisational environment is advantageous.
• Possesses strong leadership, team management, and motivational skills.
• Demonstrates excellent organisational, communication, and analytical abilities with an eye for process improvement.
• Committed to ongoing personal development and aligns with the organisation’s ethos and values.

Additional benefits and information for the role of Finance Manager:

• Competitive holiday entitlement and flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunities for professional training and career development.
• Supportive working environment with a collaborative team culture.
• Pension scheme and access to employee assistance programmes.
• Salary will be dependent on experience.

CMA complies with all relevant UK legislation and doesn’t discriminate on any protected characteristics.