Finance Manager - Lead Finance & Transformation

Uppingham School; Harborough; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Uppingham School is seeking a Finance Manager to lead the operational finance function, manage a team of six and oversee financial accounting, transaction processing, management reporting, budgeting support and financial controls.

You will drive the monthly and year-end close, prepare management information and balance‑sheet reconciliations, maintain asset registers and VAT/Gift Aid reporting, and work with the Financial Controller and CFO on statutory accounts and audits.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant or studying towards ACA/ACCA/CIMA.
• Experience of month-end and year-end close in a complex organisation.
• Strong experience in management accounts, reconciliations, accruals, prepayments, deferred income and fixed assets.
• Experience of purchase ledger, sales ledger and cashbook processes with robust financial controls.
• Budgets, forecasting, variance analysis and partnering with non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience leading and developing a finance team with competing deadlines.
• Good VAT knowledge and ability to prepare tax and audit schedules.
• Strong Excel and finance-system skills with data handling and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the transactional finance team and set clear expectations.
• Plan and deliver monthly and annual close timetable with journals and reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly management accounts with variance commentary for senior staff.
• Own the monthly balance-sheet reconciliation process including accruals and provisions.
• Support the annual budget and in-year forecasting with budget holders.
• Provide financial insights and challenge to improve performance across the School.
• Maintain fixed asset register and ensure capital expenditure is compliant.
• Prepare VAT, Gift Aid and tax schedules for external reporting.
• Oversee purchase ledger, sales ledger and cashbook activities and banking reconciliations.
• Drive finance system changes and continuous improvement in controls and processes.

Skills

Excel

Finance systems

Budgeting & forecasting

Variance analysis

Commentary & actions

Budget holder liaison

Education

Qualified accountant or ACA/ACCA/CIMA in progress

Job description

Uppingham School is seeking a Finance Manager to lead the operational finance function, manage a team of six and oversee financial accounting, transaction processing, management reporting, budgeting support and financial controls.

You will drive the monthly and year-end close, prepare management information and balance‑sheet reconciliations, maintain asset registers and VAT/Gift Aid reporting, and work with the Financial Controller and CFO on statutory accounts and audits.