Financial Controller

Morgan Law; West of England; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS Pension

Generous annual leave

Induction and development programmes

Wellbeing support

Health benefits and wellness sessions

Family leave options

Cycle to work scheme

On-site parking

Job summary

Cabot Learning Federation is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to lead the finance team, deliver statutory financial information, and work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and high-quality financial performance. The role requires a qualified accountant or equivalent experience and supports a hybrid working model in Bristol.

The FC will partner with the Finance Director to implement the Trust's finance strategy, oversee reporting, and drive continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant or QBE with substantial financial and management accounting experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with experience leading and engaging with finance and corporate functions.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, audit planning and performance of priorities.
• Knowledge of Public Sector accounting, SORP, Charity law and VAT.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the finance department and transactions.
• Deliver statutory financial information and timely reporting.
• Support the Finance Director to deliver the Trust's finance vision and develop high-quality services.
• Establish relationships with internal/external stakeholders to improve service levels.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement within the finance team.

Skills

Leadership

Financial reporting

Public sector accounting

VAT knowledge

Auditing

Education

Qualified accountant or QBE

Job description

Cabot Learning Federation

Financial Controller
Salary £55,700 – £61,500 pa plus excellent benefits
Hybrid working / Bristol

About Us

Cabot Learning Federation is a large and diverse multi-academy trust in the South West of England that runs and supports more than 36 schools, including primary, secondary, specialist, and post-16 education settings. It serves around 18,000 students and employs over 3,000 staff. CLF is committed to excellence and making a positive impact and our people bring unique perspectives, 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.

The Role

CLF are seeking to recruit an experienced and visionary Financial Controller who will provide leadership capacity to the finance team as well as technical expertise. You will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and transactions of the finance department and will lead on delivering statutory financial information. The FC will support the Finance Director to deliver the vision for finance across the Trust and ensure the output from the finance department will be accurate, timely, current and to a high standard. This role will develop and embed a culture of continuous improvement within the team and ensure the service provided to our academies and other provisions is of the highest quality requiring the establishment of key relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. The scope of their role and responsibilities has Trust wide impact and the post holder will need to develop an in-depth knowledge of the Federation’s activities and goals.

About You

To succeed in this role you will:

• Be a qualified accountant or QBE with substantial financial and management accounting experience.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrable experience of leading and engaging with finance and other corporate functions to develop a mature and rounded service.
• Have an excellent understanding of financial and management accounting processes, financial reporting and audit planning as well as being adept at managing both your own and your team’s priorities.
• Working with the Leadership team particularly the Estates and Facilities team, Operations, IT team and HR team, you will be a strong leader able to communicate well with your peers and teams members and have resilience to adapt quickly to changing priorities and demands from internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Public Sector accounting, SORP, Charity law and VAT

In return for your hard work and dedication you will enjoy a wide variety of benefits including:

• 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!

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Closing date 1st Sept ; Interview date 11th Sept