Finance Manager at Greenleas School

Greenleas School; Leighton Buzzard; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Greenleas School in Leighton Buzzard is seeking a dedicated Finance Manager to lead the school’s financial operations. You will work closely with the Business Manager, overseeing a small team and guiding budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting to senior leaders and governors.

The role offers a permanent contract of 37 hours per week, with a 52-week posting and a salary of £31,022–£33,699 depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Strong financial management and accounting skills required.
• Experience with invoicing, reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Ability to manage a small finance team and provide leadership.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the school's financial operations and delegated funding.
• Support budget planning, forecasting and financial monitoring.
• Prepare management accounts for leadership and governors.
• Manage invoicing, sales ledger and credit control.
• Prepare month-end, quarter-end and year-end processes including VAT.
• Maintain financial records and asset register.
• Line-manage Finance Assistants and support their development.

Skills

Financial management

Accounting

Invoicing

Reconciliations

Financial reporting

Budget monitoring

Financial planning

Staff management

Attention to detail

Discretion

Job description

About this Role

Role Summary

Position: Finance Manager

Reporting to: Business Manager

Responsible for: Finance Assistants (x2)

Contract: 37 hours per week | Permanent This is a 52 week post, there may be some flexibility around working time, applicants should be aware that some holiday working is essential.

Salary: £31,022 - £33,699 (depending on experience)

Start Date: Autumn 2026

Closing Date:

Make a realimpact in a school community

A great school relies on strong financial leadership behind thescenes. At Greenleas School, we are looking for a skilled Finance Manager who will play a key role inensuring our financial systems run effectively and that resources are managedin the best possible way to support pupils and staff.

Working closely with the Business Manager, you will oversee theschool's financial operations, support strategic budgeting, and lead day-to-dayfinance processes. This is an excellent opportunity for an organised andproactive finance professional who enjoys working in a collaborativeenvironment where their work directly supports education.

AboutGreenleas School

Greenleas School is a welcoming and supportive school communitywhere staff work together to provide 'excellence, enrichment andenjoyment' forpupils to learn and thrive. We pride ourselves on our collaborative culture,strong leadership and commitment to continuous improvement.

Our staff are at the heart of everything we do, and we arecommitted to providing a positive working environment where people feel valued,supported and able to develop professionally.

We are a two-site school in Leighton Buzzardproviding education to nearly 700 children aged 2-9 years. Ourannual budget is in excess of £4 million and includes self-generated income of more than £150k.

We expect all our staff to model our values andstrive and are committed to providing training and opportunities for all staffto do so. Our Office Team is outstanding and work closely to deliverexemplary service to our internal and external clients.

What We Offer

When you join Greenleas School, you will benefit from:

• Asupportive and collaborative leadership team
• A welcoming and friendly staff community
• Theopportunity to develop leadership experience through managing a small financeteam and contributing to strategic financial planning within the school.
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• A varied role combining operational and strategic finance responsibilities
• The opportunity to lead and support a small finance team
• The chance to make a meaningful contribution to the success of the school

What We AreLooking For

The successful candidate will:

• Have strong financial management and accounting skills
• Have experience managing financial processes such as invoicing,reconciliations and financial reporting
• Be highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Be confident using financial systems and maintaining accurate records
• Have experience supporting budget monitoring and financial planning
• Be able to manage and support the work of Finance Assistants
• Demonstrate professionalism and discretion when handling confidentialinformation
• Work effectively with senior leaders and the wider school team

Experience in a school finance environment would be advantageousbut is not essential. Candidates with strong finance experience in othersectors are encouraged to apply.

KeyResponsibilities

The Finance Manager will:

FinancialManagement

• Oversee the school's financial operations including delegated andexternal funding
• Support the Business Manager with budget planning, forecasting andfinancial monitoring
• Prepare financial reports and management accounts for seniorleadership and governors
• Monitor income and expenditure and advise budget holders

FinanceOperations

• Manage invoicing, sales ledger processes and credit control
• Authorise purchase invoices and oversee debt management
• Prepare month-end, quarter-end and year-end processes includingreconciliations and VAT returns
• Maintain financial records including petty cash and the assetregister

Early Yearsand Income Activities

• Oversee financial processes relating to Early Years funding claimsand invoicing
• Support financial monitoring of income-generating activities suchas lettings and extended provision

Payroll andHR Administration

• Check payroll information for accuracy
• Maintain personnel records and HR data within school systems
• Support the preparation of the School Workforce Census

Team Leadership

• Line manage Finance Assistants and support their professionaldevelopment

The Impact ofYour Role

As Finance Manager, you will play an important role in ensuringthat the school's financial resources are managed effectively andtransparently. Your work will directly support the smooth runningof the schooland help ensure that funding is used to provide the best possible learningenvironment for our pupils.