Financial Controller

Gateways School; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and pension scheme

Flexible working aligned to the school calendar

Beautiful campus with modern facilities

Free lunches and refreshments during term time

Discounted school fees

Free onsite parking

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Gateways School in West Yorkshire is seeking a Financial Controller to lead its finance function. The role involves overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management, alongside managing the finance team and ensuring regulatory compliance. The position offers significant autonomy and a chance to make a tangible difference within a not-for-profit education setting. Gateways School provides a supportive environment with a competitive salary, flexible working, and additional benefits including free lunches and discounted school fees.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Strong leadership skills with experience in managing finance teams.
• Technical expertise in regulatory compliance and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school's finance function and ensure its long-term sustainability.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and day-to-day financial operations.
• Act as Company Secretary and support governance requirements.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cash flow management

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Financial reporting

Education

Qualified accountant or equivalent

Job description

Based in the leafy North Leeds suburb of Harewood, this outstanding independent school provides a high‑quality education for boys and girls aged 2 to 18.

Hays is delighted to be working in partnership with Gateways School to appoint an experienced Financial Controller to a key leadership role. This is a broad and influential opportunity for a high‑calibre, technically accomplished finance professional who wants to combine financial excellence with purpose and make a tangible difference within a not‑for‑profit education environment.

The Opportunity

As Financial Controller, you will lead the school's finance function and play a central role in supporting its long‑term financial sustainability. The role offers significant breadth, autonomy and visibility, working closely with senior leaders and governors.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ownership of budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, payroll and credit control
• Leadership of the finance team and oversight of day‑to‑day financial operations
• Managing the year‑end process, external audit and regulatory compliance
• Partnering with senior stakeholders to support non‑fee income generation and assess the financial viability of school activities
• Acting as Company Secretary, supporting governance and statutory requirements
• Continuous improvement of financial systems, contracts and internal controls

The role is primarily based on site, reflecting its leadership and stakeholder‑facing nature, with flexibility during school holiday periods and occasional opportunities to work from home.

Why Join Gateways School?

Gateways offers a supportive, collegiate environment alongside a strong benefits package:

• Competitive salary and pension scheme
• Flexible working aligned to the school calendar
• Beautiful campus with modern facilities and countryside views
• Free lunches and refreshments during term time
• Discounted school fees
• Free onsite parking
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme

Next Steps

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Catherine Hill, retained recruitment partner at Hays Senior Finance. All third‑party applications will be forwarded to Hays Senior Finance.

Gateways School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS with barred list check as well as a prohibition list check (where applicable).