Finance Manager - Education - Part-Time (30 Hours per Week) Permanent

Reed; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Reed is hiring a Finance Manager in the Wokingham area. This part-time, permanent role offers 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE) with responsibilities spanning operational and strategic finance for a school environment.

You will work with the Bursar and SLT to ensure accurate reporting, robust controls and financial planning, while developing teams and improving processes.

Qualifications

• Recognised accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT Level 4) or QBE.
• Experience in finance management, management accounting or similar.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting skills.
• Solid Excel and financial systems proficiency.
• Understanding of payroll processes and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day financial operations of the school.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, reports and variance analysis.
• Support budget setting and ongoing forecasting.
• Monitor departmental budgets and provide guidance.
• Oversee fee billing, credit control and payroll.
• Prepare VAT returns and assist year-end audit work.
• Develop robust financial controls and KPIs for leaders.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation.

Skills

Management accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Payroll understanding

Excel

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT Level 4 or QBE

Tools

iFinance

PS Financials

Job description

Finance Manager

Part-Time (30 Hours per Week) Permanent Year-Round

Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum (0.8 FTE)

Location: Wokingham Area

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Finance Manager to join a well-established independent school. This permanent, year-round position offers 30 hours per week and would suit a finance professional seeking a varied role with both operational and strategic responsibilities.

Working closely with the Bursar and Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in ensuring the effective financial management of the school, providing accurate reporting, supporting financial planning and maintaining robust financial controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day financial operations of the school
• Prepare monthly management accounts, financial reports and variance analysis
• Support annual budget setting and ongoing financial forecasting
• Monitor departmental budgets and provide financial guidance to budget holders
• Manage fee billing and credit control processes
• Oversee the school's payroll function
• Prepare VAT returns and ensure HMRC compliance
• Support the preparation of year-end accounts and annual audit requirements
• Maintain strong financial controls and compliance with relevant regulations
• Develop meaningful financial reporting and KPI information for senior leaders and governors
• Identify and implement improvements to finance processes and systems
• Support and develop members of the finance team
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation

We are keen to hear from candidates who have:

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, AAT Level 4) or are Qualified by Experience (QBE)
• Experience in a finance management, management accounting or similar finance role
• Strong management accounting, budgeting and forecasting skills
• Experience producing accurate financial reports and analysing financial performance
• A good understanding of payroll processes
• Excellent Excel and financial systems skills
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• The ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• A proactive, collaborative and solution-focused approach

Desirable Experience

• Education, independent school, academy, charity or not-for-profit sector experience
• Experience of VAT and audit processes
• Knowledge of fee billing systems
• Experience with iFinance, PS Financials or similar finance systems
• Previous team leadership or supervisory experience

This role is subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and safeguarding checks in line with safer recruitment practices.