Financial Controller

Ivy Rock Partners; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ivy Rock Partners is recruiting a Financial Controller for The Charter Schools Educational Trust, in partnership with Ivy Rock Partners. The role sits in a growing multi-academy trust finance team and reports to the CFO.

It offers broad leadership in financial control, reporting, and business partnering within an education context. Hybrid pattern with 3 days on site, you will own month-end, balance sheet control and annual budgeting across the Trust, working closely with school leaders and the

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with strong financial control and reporting experience.
• Proven ability to lead and develop finance teams.
• Experience working with school/education funding and governance is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day financial control across the Trust.
• Manage and develop the finance team to drive continuous improvement.
• Own monthly management accounts, forecasts and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with CFO, Headteachers and business leads on budgets and performance.
• Oversee external audit processes and internal control improvements.
• Maintain and develop Financial Manual, policies and compliance with relevant standards.

Skills

Financial reporting

Leadership

Budgeting

Month-end close

Stakeholder management

Excel

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA or equivalent

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Working pattern: Hybrid – 3 days per week on site

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

More details can be found here: Home | Charter Trust

Ivy Rock Partners is working exclusively with The Charter Schools Educational Trust to recruit a Financial Controller into its finance team.

This is a broad and influential role within a growing Multi-Academy Trust, offering the opportunity to take ownership of financial control and reporting while working closely with the CFO, school leaders and the wider finance team.

With Trust income of approximately £55m, you will play a key role in ensuring the organisation maintains strong financial management, effective controls and high-quality reporting as it continues to develop and grow.

The role will suit someone who enjoys combining strong technical financial management with leadership and business partnering, rather than operating purely within a traditional financial accounting remit.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the day-to-day financial control environment across the Trust
• Managing and developing members of the finance team, creating a culture of continuous improvement
• Taking ownership of the annual finance timetable and ensuring key reporting deadlines are met
• Preparing, reviewing and delivering monthly management accounts and Trust-wide financial reporting
• Working closely with the CFO, Headteachers and school business leaders on budgets, forecasts and financial performance
• Supporting the development of annual and three-year revenue and capital budgets
• Ensuring robust balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls are maintained across the Trust
• Monitoring and reporting on cash flow
• Leading the external audit process and ensuring audit requests, recommendations and actions are managed effectively
• Supporting the CFO with internal audit and the ongoing development of the Trust’s control environment
• Maintaining and improving financial policies, procedures and the Trust Financial Manual
• Ensuring compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook and wider DfE requirements
• Reviewing statutory returns and ensuring they are completed accurately and on time
• Providing clear financial insight and guidance to non-finance stakeholders across the schools
• Identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes, controls and the overall effectiveness of the finance function

We are looking for someone who can bring a strong combination of financial control, management accounting and stakeholder management experience.

You will ideally:

• Be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent), although significant relevant experience will also be considered
• Have strong financial management, accounting and financial control experience
• Have experience managing and developing finance teams
• Be comfortable owning month-end reporting, balance sheet control, budgeting and forecasting
• Have experience managing external audit processes
• Be confident working with and influencing senior non-finance stakeholders
• Have a track record of improving financial processes and controls
• Be comfortable interpreting accounting standards and technical guidance
• Have strong Excel and financial systems skills
• Be able to communicate complex financial information clearly and practically

Previous experience within a Multi-Academy Trust, school or wider education environment would be particularly useful, as would knowledge of the Academy Trust Handbook and DfE funding, but candidates from other relevant complex organisations are also encouraged to apply.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Financial Controller, Finance Manager or senior Management Accountant looking for a broader leadership position within a purpose-led organisation.

The Charter Schools Educational Trust places significant emphasis on collaboration, individual school autonomy and responsible growth, with the finance team playing an important role in supporting better outcomes for pupils.

Interviews: 11, 14 and 15 September 2026

The recruitment process is being managed exclusively by Ivy Rock Partners.