Financial Analyst

SRG; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

SRG is seeking a Finance Analyst to join the Education Finance team, focusing on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) across Bedford. You will support financial planning, monitoring and reporting, working with education stakeholders, budget holders and senior leaders.

The role requires strong Excel skills, experience in DSG or education funding, and ability to deliver timely financial analysis and reports. This hybrid Bedford position offers an initial 3-month contract with a minimum onsite day per

Qualifications

• AAT qualification or QBE; part-qualified acceptable
• Experience with DSG funding and education finance
• Ability to analyse financial data and present insights

Responsibilities

• Support DSG financial management, forecasting and monitoring.
• Assist with budget setting, financial planning and in-year forecasting processes.
• Monitor and report on Schools Block and High Needs Block expenditure.
• Provide financial advice to education services and stakeholders.
• Produce accurate financial reports and management information to support decision-making.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder management

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Budget management

DSG funding experience

Education

AAT Qualified or QBE

CIPFA/ACCA/CIMA welcome

Job description

Finance Analyst (Education Funding / DSG)

Location: Bedford (Hybrid)

Contract: Initial 3-Month Contract

Working Pattern: Hybrid, with a minimum of 1 day per month onsite in Bedford

The Role

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Finance Analyst to join the Education Finance team, supporting the financial management of education funding across Bedford. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to services that directly impact children and young people while playing a key role in the strategic management of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

The successful candidate will support the financial planning, monitoring and reporting of the DSG, working closely with education stakeholders, budget holders and senior leaders. The role will focus on ensuring robust financial management across the Schools Block and High Needs Block (HNB), whilst supporting service improvement and transformation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the financial management, forecasting and monitoring of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).
• Assist with budget setting, financial planning and in-year forecasting processes.
• Monitor and report on Schools Block and High Needs Block (HNB) expenditure and funding.
• Support the delivery and monitoring of the DSG Management Plan.
• Provide financial advice, guidance and challenge to education services and key stakeholders.
• Produce accurate financial reports, analysis and management information to support decision-making.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities and provide recommendations to mitigate issues.
• Support change projects aimed at improving financial processes, controls and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners, including education providers and senior leadership teams.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and local authority procedures.
• Proven experience working within Local Government finance.
• Strong experience of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding.
• Experience of financial monitoring, forecasting and budget management.
• Excellent financial analysis and reporting skills.
• Experience providing financial advice to non-finance stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience of High Needs Block (HNB) funding and SEND services.
• Experience supporting DSG Management Plans or DSG deficit recovery programmes.
• Knowledge of education funding regulations and local authority education finance.
• Experience leading or supporting financial improvement projects.

Qualifications

• AAT Qualified, part-qualified accountant, or Qualified by Experience (QBE).
• CIPFA, ACCA or CIMA qualifications are welcome but not essential