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

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

Job summary

Reed is seeking a Finance Manager for a part-time 30-hour-per-week role in the Wokingham area. This permanent post offers a salary up to £35,000 per annum at 0.8 FTE and combines operational finance with strategic oversight.

You will work with the Bursar and SLT to manage finances, produce monthly management accounts, budgets and forecasts, ensure robust controls, payroll, VAT returns, and year-end activities. The role requires strong Excel and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 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 performance.
• Good understanding of payroll processes.
• Excellent Excel and financial systems skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
• Proactive, collaborative and solution-focused approach.

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.

Skills

Management accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Payroll

Excel

Financial systems

Communication

Organisational skills

Collaboration

Education

Accounting qualification 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 skillsExperience 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.