Finance Team Leader
Nelson and Colne College
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Nelson and Colne College is seeking a Finance Team Leader to supervise the day-to-day work of the Finance team, drive process improvements, and ensure accurate financial reporting across multiple sites. The role is based mainly in Accrington with potential cross-site responsibilities.
The successful candidate will lead financial controls, support budget holders, and enhance finance technology usage while upholding the college’s standards for safeguarding and compliance.
Qualifications
- Five GCSEs minimum including Maths and English at grade C/4 or above.
- AAT qualification or equivalent (HNC or CIPFA status).
- At least three years developing and monitoring administrative or financial management systems.
- Experience supervising and motivating others.
- Experience with computerised accounting systems and strong controls.
- Strong Excel skills and data analysis.
Responsibilities
- Supervise the Finance team's workload and set priorities.
- Coordinate banking, journals, Direct Debits, payment runs and month-end closure across three companies.
- Authorize journals and requisitions with proper coding and evidence.
- Support budget holders with management accounts and training.
- Prepare quarterly VAT returns and reconcile VAT accounts.
- Develop meaningful financial reports and improve systems and efficiency.
Skills
Education
Job description
Salary: Up to £38,913 depending on experience (pending pay award Jan 27’)
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Weeks: Full year
Interview date: Friday 13th November 2026
‘Would you like to be part of a team that aims to create the extraordinary?’
This role is advertised by East Lancashire Learning Group Professional Services. Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, ELLG Professional Services provides expert business support services to the wider College Group.
East Lancashire Learning Group is a beacon for educational excellence, made up of a family of colleges – Nelson & Colne College, Accrington & Rossendale College and Lancashire Adult Learning. The College Group is the only Further Education college in Lancashire to be graded as ‘Outstanding’ under the new Ofsted inspection framework.
Together the Group forms a Sixth Form, Skills and Technology Centre, University Centre, employer training and adult learning provider delivering exceptional teaching and learning to all ages and at all levels.
A new and exciting opportunity has become available for a Finance Team Leader
This is an opportunity to take a leading role in a busy Finance team, influence how our systems and processes develop, and help colleagues across the College make well-informed decisions. You will join an organisation committed to high expectations, professional development, equality, diversity and the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The successful candidate will be primarily based at Accrington but may be required to travel across sites.
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Finance Team Leader to supervise the day-to-day work of our Finance team and help deliver an accurate, efficient and responsive service across the College. This is a varied role combining team leadership, financial control, systems administration and continuous improvement.
You will coordinate key finance processes and deadlines, support budget holders, oversee financial systems and controls, and contribute to the timely production of management information. You will also play an important role in strengthening compliance, improving processes and making effective use of finance technology.
- Supervise the Finance team’s workload, set priorities and ensure appropriate cover for key activities.
- Coordinate banking, journals, Direct Debits, payment runs and month-end ledger closure across three companies.
- Authorise journals and requisitions, ensuring accurate coding and appropriate supporting evidence.
- Support budget holders with management accounts, financial processes, advice and training.
- Prepare quarterly VAT returns and reconcile VAT accounts.
- Develop meaningful financial reports and improve systems, controls and operational efficiency.
A confident team leader with strong financial administration experience, excellent attention to detail and a practical approach to solving problems. You will communicate financial information clearly, work effectively with colleagues across the organisation and handle sensitive information with discretion.
You will have:
- At least five GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English at grade C/4 or above.
- An AAT qualification or another relevant qualification, such as an HNC or part-qualified CIPFA status.
- At least three years’ successful experience of developing, implementing and monitoring administrative or financial management systems.
- Experience of supervising and motivating others.
- Experience of working with a computerised accounting system and ensuring that controls and procedures are followed.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, with the ability to manage and analyse complex data.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, planning and organisational skills.
- A positive, proactive approach to improving services and processes.
- Access to a workplace pension scheme – with generous employer contributions
- Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme and access to family friendly policies and benefits
- A range of health and wellbeing benefits and support
- Fantastic family friendly policies
- Free on-site parking on all College sites
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Company: Nelson and Colne College Salary: £38,912 to £38,913 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 2AR Job type: Permanent Posting date: 12 Oct 2026 Closing date: 28 Oct 2026 Apply for this job
Finance Team Leader
Salary: Up to £38,913 depending on experience (pending pay award Jan 27’)
Hours: 37 per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Weeks: Full year
Site: Accrington & Rossendale College
Closing date: Midnight Wednesday 28th October 2026
Interview date: Friday 13th November 2026
‘Would you like to be part of a team that aims to create the extraordinary?’
This role is advertised by East Lancashire Learning Group Professional Services. Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, ELLG Professional Services provides expert business support services to the wider College Group.
East Lancashire Learning Group is a beacon for educational excellence, made up of a family of colleges – Nelson & Colne College, Accrington & Rossendale College and Lancashire Adult Learning. The College Group is the only Further Education college in Lancashire to be graded as ‘Outstanding’ under the new Ofsted inspection framework.
Together the Group forms a Sixth Form, Skills and Technology Centre, University Centre, employer training and adult learning provider delivering exceptional teaching and learning to all ages and at all levels.
A new and exciting opportunity has become available for a Finance Team Leader
This is an opportunity to take a leading role in a busy Finance team, influence how our systems and processes develop, and help colleagues across the College make well-informed decisions. You will join an organisation committed to high expectations, professional development, equality, diversity and the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The successful candidate will be primarily based at Accrington but may be required to travel across sites.
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Finance Team Leader to supervise the day-to-day work of our Finance team and help deliver an accurate, efficient and responsive service across the College. This is a varied role combining team leadership, financial control, systems administration and continuous improvement.
You will coordinate key finance processes and deadlines, support budget holders, oversee financial systems and controls, and contribute to the timely production of management information. You will also play an important role in strengthening compliance, improving processes and making effective use of finance technology.
- Supervise the Finance team’s workload, set priorities and ensure appropriate cover for key activities.
- Coordinate banking, journals, Direct Debits, payment runs and month-end ledger closure across three companies.
- Authorise journals and requisitions, ensuring accurate coding and appropriate supporting evidence.
- Support budget holders with management accounts, financial processes, advice and training.
- Prepare quarterly VAT returns and reconcile VAT accounts.
- Develop meaningful financial reports and improve systems, controls and operational efficiency.
A confident team leader with strong financial administration experience, excellent attention to detail and a practical approach to solving problems. You will communicate financial information clearly, work effectively with colleagues across the organisation and handle sensitive information with discretion.
You will have:
- At least five GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English at grade C/4 or above.
- An AAT qualification or another relevant qualification, such as an HNC or part-qualified CIPFA status.
- At least three years’ successful experience of developing, implementing and monitoring administrative or financial management systems.
- Experience of supervising and motivating others.
- Experience of working with a computerised accounting system and ensuring that controls and procedures are followed.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, with the ability to manage and analyse complex data.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, planning and organisational skills.
- A positive, proactive approach to improving services and processes.
- Access to a workplace pension scheme – with generous employer contributions
- Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme and access to family friendly policies and benefits
- A range of health and wellbeing benefits and support
- Staff recognition scheme, including long service awards
- Fantastic family friendly policies
- Free on-site parking on all College sites
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