Financial Controller

Digitech Studio School; Bristol; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading educational organization as a Financial Controller, where you will play a vital role in leading financial operations and strategy. This position offers a competitive salary and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the educational sector, fostering a collaborative working environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Well-being support

Health benefits

Cycle to work scheme

Discounts on gym memberships

Qualifications

• Exceptional technical accounting knowledge and understanding of statutory accounts production.
• Proven leadership experience managing a finance team.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape financial operations across the Trust.
• Work collaboratively with central teams and academies.
• Build effective relationships and present financial data to stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Technical Accounting Knowledge

Project Management

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Strategic Mindset

Knowledge of VAT

Knowledge of Corporation Tax

Job description

Annual Salary: £53,602 - £59,167 (CLF L4 - L8). Based on 37 hours per week, all year round

Contract Type: Fixed-Term, All Year Round

Contract Length: Fixed until 31/05/2026 or upon the return of the substantive postholder

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, All year-round

Start Date: ASAP

Your opportunity to lead financial excellence and shape the future of education through strategic impact.

As part of our evolving financial strategy, we’re seeking a skilled and experienced Financial Controller to join us on a fixed-term basis for 12 months, or upon the return of the substantive postholder. This is a key opportunity to lead and shape the delivery of high-quality financial operations across our Trust. You’ll work closely with central teams and academies, bringing your expertise to a collaborative environment where your impact will be both immediate and meaningful.

About You

You will have:

• exceptional technical accounting knowledge and a strong understanding of statutory accounts production, VAT, and corporation tax, ideally within the education or charity sector.
• proven leadership experience, with the ability to manage and inspire a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
• excellent organisational and project management skills, capable of overseeing complex financial operations, meeting tight deadlines, and delivering high-quality outputs in a fast-paced environment.
• strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to present financial data to a wide range of stakeholders and build effective relationships across internal teams and external partners.
• a strategic mindset, able to contribute to the development and implementation of financial strategies, monitor KPIs, and make informed decisions to improve financial performance and compliance.

Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.

Why work in CLFs Central Finance Team?

In this role, you’ll be a key leader in our Central Finance Team – driving the delivery of high-quality financial operations and supporting strategic decision-making across the Trust.

We offer:

• A unique opportunity to apply your financial expertise in a values-driven education environment, where your work directly supports schools and students.
• Leadership of core finance functions including statutory accounts, treasury, audit, and financial systems – with real scope to influence and improve processes.
• A collaborative, hybrid working model with flexibility to work from home, our Bristol office, and on-site at academies.
• The chance to work across a diverse portfolio of academies and central services, gaining insight into the financial operations of a large multi-academy trust.
• Opportunities for professional development and to contribute to shaping the future of finance within the education sector.

Why work at CLF?

We are a diverse and inclusive community of 35 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.

We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

What we can offer you:

• Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Generous annual leave.
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
• Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
• A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
• Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!

Recruitment timeline:

• Interviews: 2 stage interview process – First day 23/06/2025 with second day on 25/06/2025

As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs – a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form.

Skilled Worker visas cannot be sponsored through this role, as it does not meet the requirements set out by government.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.

The Cabot Learning Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles across the trust have a varying level of responsibility for ensuring safeguarding practice, with some roles holding significant responsibility and involving working with children on a daily basis in regulated activity. Regardless of the level of responsibility and involvement in each role, we expect all staff, visiting professionals and volunteers to share this commitment.

All successful candidates will undergo a comprehensive pre-employment checking process, including an enhanced DBS check (including a further check against the appropriate barred list), references from current and previous employers, health, right to work in the UK, child disqualification, prohibition from teaching/management and online checks. You must also tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.