Finance Manager

Edith Stein Catholic Academy Trust; Waterlooville; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Edith Stein Catholic Academy Trust (ESCAT) is seeking a Finance Manager to lead a small finance team and ensure the smooth running of the Trust's finances across Oaklands Catholic School and ESCAT.

The role requires a Level 4 AAT qualification (or equivalent) with experience in school finance. You will manage month-end/year-end, payroll, VAT, reporting to the CFO and budget holder and work in a Catholic Trust environment.

Qualifications

• Level 4 AAT qualification (or demonstrable equivalent)
• Experience in academy/school finance
• Attention to detail and strong administration

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end and year-end processes within the Trust
• Oversee statutory returns including VAT and other compliance
• Manage payroll processes and cash flow reporting
• Line manage finance staff and provide training and development
• Ensure financial policies align with DfE/ESFA and auditors

Education

Level 4 AAT qualification

Job description

Job Title: Finance Manager

Location: Waterlooville, Hampshire

Salary: G1 - G5 50,564 - 56,219 per annum

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time, 37 hours a week, 52 weeks a year

Hours: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 4.30pm, Fridays 8.30am to 4pm (30-minute daily unpaid lunch break)

The Directors of the Edith Stein Catholic Academy Trust (ESCAT) are seeking to appoint a Finance Manager to join our hardworking, committed and enthusiastic team. This role will require the successful candidate to lead a small team to ensure the smooth running of the finance function at Oaklands Catholic School and of the Trust.

The Directors are looking for someone who has a Level 4 AAT qualification or above, or who can demonstrate their qualification through experience in Finance Accounting. Previous experience working in a finance department of an academy school would be highly considered.

If you are a Catholic, you will understand the distinctiveness of Catholic schools such as Oaklands and Corpus Christi and this will be attractive to you. You do not have to be a Catholic to work at Oaklands; the Directors welcome applications from candidates of differing faith backgrounds or none who can be supportive of the school ethos.

Principal Responsibilities

The principal responsibilities of the ESCAT Finance Manager are:

Financial Management:

• To lead the month-end and year-end processes within the Trust in line with the organisation's deadlines and financial procedures, ensuring schedules and reconciliations are in place
• Ensure that the Trust's financial policies and procedures are consistent with the requirements of the DfE, ESFA, Companies House, auditors and trustees
• Lead the monthly financial reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, including management accounts and variance analysis, balance sheet and forecasts
• Preparation of a variety of regular, standard financial accounting reports for the Chief Financial Officer for monitoring purposes
• Oversee the Purchase Ledger, ensuring policies and procedures are followed, value for money is achieved and the timely payment of invoices
• Assist with tendering exercises and make recommendations on which contractors to engage, ensuring value for money
• To be responsible for all matters relating to the administration of the academy trust finances, ensuring the day-to-day running of finance follows sound financial procedures, consistency between schools and improvements are made where identified
• Preparation of statutory returns as required, including monthly VAT returns
• Oversee the Sales Ledger, ensuring policies and procedures are followed, income is collected and reconciled, outstanding debt is managed, and charges are appropriate
• Manage the processes and procedures for the financial elements of payroll
• Manage cash flow and reporting, including outturn forecast and the transfer of monies as required. Make recommendations on the investment of funds
• Support senior leaders in bid writing to generate income, including submission of bids for capital funding
• Support the Chief Financial Officer in the financial elements of academy conversions, including training programmes for new schools, systems are implemented and schedules and reports are developed
• Any other duties commensurate with the position as directed by the CEO or CFO

Management / Administration

• Line management of finance, including performance management
• Plan and ensure delivery of training for all finance staff, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer
• Identify and drive improvements within finance on processes, reporting and procedures
• Lead administration of the Trust's finance systems, including developing the systems to ensure they remain fit for purpose
• Oversee the management and administration of banking, including setting up new accounts, Governors and gift aid returns
• Administer the budgeting tool, following updates and developments
• Ensure financial processes and procedures are followed and maintained with non-financial departments, including Business Support and Sixth Form

Other Key Aspects of the role

• Budgeting tasks
• Line Management & Admin tasks
• Audit Preparation & related tasks
• Tasks relating to the Trust/School Policies and Regulations

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and a full job description is available on our website.

About you

Essential:

• Sound technical Finance knowledge
• Educated to A Level standard
• In possession of an L4 AAT (or above) qualification in Finance Accounting, or can demonstrate qualification through experience in Finance Accounting
• Sound administrator with attention to detail
• Working with a range of financial software programmes, MIS and Microsoft applications
• Good level of Excel knowledge
• Ability to people manage, motivate and lead a team
• Excellent time management, communication, organisation and listening skills
• Good IT Skills
• Change management, experience in process improvement
• Committed to personal development, with a willingness to develop relevant skills
• Stamina and resilience and ability to work under pressure
• Strong commitment to team-working and partnership
• Ability to work in a Catholic Trust, sensitive to the ethos of the Trust

Additional Information

Please note all staff will be required to complete and obtain a clear Enhanced DBS. All applicants must evidence Right to Work.

Closing date

Monday 5th October 2026 5pm

We reserve the right to extend this closing date should we need further applicants for shortlisting.

Interviews

Week Commencing 12th October 2026

Please note that once you have applied for the role you will be sent an email with an application form to fill in.

This form will need to be fully completed and returned for your application to be considered.

Candidates with experience of; Finance Manager, Senior Accountant, Financial Reporting, Management Accountant, Accountant, Chartered Accountancy, Bookkeeper, Accounts Manager may also be considered for this role.