Financial Controller

Manor Lodge School; Bexhill-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Manor Lodge School is seeking a Financial Controller to manage budgetary control and oversee financial operations. This hands-on, full-time role requires strong accountancy qualifications and excellent IT skills, including a good command of Microsoft Excel. The successful candidate will work closely with the Bursar and manage the finance assistant, ensuring timely reporting and support for all budget holders. The ideal candidate is proactive and detail-oriented with experience in educational finance.

Qualifications

• Experience of producing accounts and using finance systems.
• Working knowledge of VAT and payroll.
• Experience of month end and year end reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of income and expenditure.
• Form close working relationship with the Bursar.
• Oversee the work of the finance assistant.

Skills

Excellent IT skills including accounting packages and Microsoft Excel

Proactive

Accurate

Organised

Attention to detail

Good written & oral communication skills

Education

Accountancy qualification

Tools

iFinance

iSAMS

Job description

Job role:

Financial Controller

Reporting to:

Bursar

Responsible for

Budgetary control, monitoring and managing all aspects of income and expenditure as well as being accountable for the accounting records and management reporting for Manor Lodge School. The Financial Controller will be expected to form a close working relationship with the Bursar, Estates team and all budget holders across the business providing support and assistance as and when required. The Financial Controller will be required to provide timely and accurate information as required by the Bursar.

Due to the size of the School this is a hands-on role. You will oversee the work of the finance assistant who is a direct report. This is a full-time role, based in school and occasional evening and weekend support may be required.

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications, experience and skills:

Essential:

• Accountancy qualification
• Experience of producing accounts and using finance systems
• Working knowledge of VAT and payroll
• Experience of month end and year end reporting
• Ability to produce required information for statutory auditors
• Excellent IT skills including accounting packages and Microsoft Excel

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a school setting
• Working knowledge of charity accounting
• Experience of using iFinance and iSAMS
• Proactive, accurate and extremely organised and effective in detailed accounting functions.
• A keen eye for detail and the ability to work to deadlines.
• A flexible and proactive approach to their work and to that of the school accounts in general.
• Ability to work in a busy school as part of a team.
• Good written & oral communication skills.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the school’s application form by clicking here and submitting it by email to Mrs Manisha Patel [e-mail]. The application form may be accompanied by a covering letter of no more than one page.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Thursday 5 June 2025.

Interviews: from 12 June 2025.

Should you have any questions or would like to discuss the role please contact Claire Wills, the bursar at [e-mail]

Preferable start date: 1 September 2025 or earlier if possible