Finance Team Leader

East Lancashire Learning Group; Chatburn; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace pension scheme with employer

Health & wellbeing benefits

Free on-site parking

Job summary

East Lancashire Learning Group is seeking a Finance Team Leader for Accrington, with potential travel to other sites within the College Group. You will supervise the day-to-day finance team work, coordinate journals and month-end activities, and support budget holders to deliver accurate management information across the Group.

The role is permanent, 37 hours per week, with a salary up to £38,913 depending on experience and a pay award pending. Strong Excel and governance focus are essential.

Qualifications

• Five GCSEs including Maths and English at C/4 or above.
• AAT qualification or other relevant qualification such as HNC or CIPFA status.
• At least three years' experience developing, implementing and monitoring administrative or financial management systems.
• Experience supervising and motivating others.
• Experience working with a computerised accounting system and ensuring controls and procedures are followed.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills for data management and analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, planning and organisational skills.
• Proactive approach to improving services and processes.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Authorize 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.

Skills

Financial administration

Attention to detail

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Education

GCSEs including Maths and English (C/4+)

AAT or equivalent (HNC, CIPFA)

Tools

Computerised accounting system

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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?'

Our Organisation
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.

The Exciting Role
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.

What You Will Be Doing:

• 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.

What We Are Looking For:

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.

What We Offer in Return:

• 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

Please visit the Careers section on our website for full details of our benefits http://www.eastlancslearning.ac.uk/

Please note: All of our posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check due to working with vulnerable adults and children. Should you wish to discuss this further, please get in touch with the HR team.