Finance & School Business Manager

Inaura School; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

DSBM funded

Protected study time

Professional development

Senior Leadership Team role

Job summary

Inaura School is seeking an experienced Finance & School Business Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team in Somerset. You will lead the school’s finance function, oversee payroll, budgeting and financial reporting, and manage a small Business Support Team.

You will contribute to strategic school operations, governance and contract management, ensuring robust financial controls and safeguarding compliance across the school.

Qualifications

• Experience leading school finances and payroll.
• Strong budgeting and forecasting skills.
• Knowledge of Sage 50 Accounts and Sage Payroll.
• AAT Level 4 or equivalent accounting qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day finance function and maintain financial systems and controls.
• Prepare, monitor and report on annual budget and longer-term plans.
• Process monthly payroll and pension requirements.
• Produce financial and management information for senior leaders and Governors.

Skills

Finance management

Budgeting

Payroll management

Team leadership

Governance

Education

AAT Level 4

Tools

Sage 50 Accounts

Sage Payroll

Excel

Job description

This is a key senior leadership role and the successful candidate will be a member of the School's Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the Headteacher, fellow senior leaders and Governors. The role has primary responsibility for the School's finance function, including monthly payroll, budgeting, financial reporting and maintaining effective financial controls. The postholder will also lead and manage our School Business Support Team, comprising a Finance Assistant, Operations Manager and two Administrators. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will take responsibility for the effective management of the School's finance function and contribute to the wider operational and strategic development of the School. Key responsibilities will include:

Safeguarding Inaura School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to undertake the School's safer recruitment process, including appropriate pre-employment checks and an enhanced DBS check.

Inaura School is seeking an experienced and highly organised Finance & School Business Manager to join our specialist independent school in Somerset.

Key responsibilities

• Leading the day-to-day finance function and maintaining effective financial systems and controls.
• Preparing, monitoring and reporting on the School's annual budget and longer-term financial plans.
• Processing the School's monthly payroll and associated pension requirements.
• Producing financial and management information for senior leaders and Governors.
• Managing cash-flow forecasting, reconciliations and financial reporting requirements.
• Overseeing purchasing, procurement, suppliers, contracts and insurance arrangements.
• Leading and managing the School Business Support Team of four staff, including regular team meetings and performance development.
• Supporting HR administration, recruitment and safer recruitment processes, including oversight of the Single Central Record.
• Carrying out appropriate vetting, checks and assurances for contractors.
• Supporting governance, policy, compliance and the School's company and charity administration.
• Contributing to strategic financial and wider school business planning.

For an experienced School Business Manager, the position offers the opportunity to bring your existing knowledge and expertise to a varied finance and business management role and make an active contribution to the School's operational and strategic development.

For candidates coming from a strong finance or accounting background, we will provide support to develop knowledge and experience across the wider school business function, including HR, governance, procurement and contracts, compliance, charity and company administration, and strategic school business management.

Previous experience of working in a school is advantageous but not essential. We recognise that many of the skills required for this position are transferable from finance, accountancy, charity and other business environments. You will have a strong background in finance, accounting or school business management and ideally be AAT qualified, preferably to Level 4, hold an equivalent accounting qualification, or have substantial relevant experience demonstrating an equivalent level of knowledge and competence.

You will have strong numerical and organisational skills, excellent attention to detail and the confidence to take responsibility for key financial processes. Experience of payroll would be advantageous, although training in the School's payroll system can be provided to a candidate with the appropriate financial knowledge and aptitude. You will have the ability to lead and support a small team and work effectively with senior leaders, Governors, colleagues and external organisations. Knowledge of Sage 50 Accounts and Sage Payroll, or similar financial and payroll systems, would be advantageous. Above all, you will bring sound judgement, integrity, a collaborative approach and the ability to contribute positively as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to the continued development of the School.

Where appropriate, the School can offer the successful candidate the opportunity to undertake the Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management (DSBM). The School will fund the qualification and provide three hours of protected paid study time each week within normal working hours for the duration of the programme.

Benefits

• 37 hours per week, worked over 42 weeks of the year, offering significant time away from normal office-based duties during school closure periods.
• A key role as a member of the School's Senior Leadership Team.
• Funded Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management (DSBM), where appropriate.
• Three hours of protected paid study time each week during the 12-month DSBM programme.
• Professional development tailored to the successful candidate's existing skills and experience.
• A varied and responsible management role within a small specialist school.
• The opportunity to make a significant contribution to the School's financial, operational and strategic development.

Supporting documents and information

Due to the senior nature of the role, some flexibility is required during school closure periods to ensure continuity of essential finance and business functions. Further details of the working arrangements are provided in the Job Description.

Safeguarding Inaura School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to undertake the School's safer recruitment process, including appropriate pre-employment checks and an enhanced DBS check.