Financial Controller at The Vale Academy

The Vale Academy; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vale Academy is seeking a highly skilled Financial Controller to lead the Finance Team and oversee all financial operations across the Trust. Reporting to the CFO, you will drive financial stability, reporting, and compliance within an educational setting.

You will manage staff, ensure regulatory adherence (DfE funding rules), and work with stakeholders to optimise financial performance, policy adherence, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent qualification with significant experience in financial management.
• Proven experience as Financial Controller or similar, in education or non-profit sectors.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and DfE funding framework.
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with MAT financial systems (PS Financials, Sage, FMS) and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all financial operations across the Trust.
• Line manage the Finance Team and report to the CFO.
• Ensure compliance with statutory/regulatory requirements and funding rules.
• Prepare financial and management reports for governance and stakeholders.

Skills

Financial management

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Professional accounting qualification

Tools

PS Financials

Sage

FMS

Excel

Job description

About this Role

FinancialController

Advantage Schools is seeking anexperienced and committed Financial Controller to join our hardworking anddedicated Finance Team. You will oversee and manage all financial operationsacross the Trust including line management of team. Reporting to the ChiefFinancial Officer (CFO), the role requires a highly skilled and motivatedmanager with extensive experience in managing staff, financial and managementreporting, and operational activities within the educational sector. Thisposition is crucial for ensuring the financial stability, accountability, andefficiency of the Trust, in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.

You will be joining a diversefinance team made up of experienced professionals, newer team members, andcolleagues progressing through their finance qualifications, all contributingto a collaborative and supportive culture.

The successful candidate willhave

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualification with significant experience in a financial management role.
• Provenexperience as a Financial Controller or similar role, with specific experiencein financial management within a Multi-Academy Trust, educational setting, ornon-profit sector.
• Strongunderstanding of financial regulations, accounting standards, and the fundingframework for academies (including DfE requirements).
• Strongleadership and team management skills.
• Excellentanalytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complexfinancial data.
• Highproficiency in financial software and Excel; experience with MAT-specificfinancial systems (e.g., PS Financials, Sage, FMS) is an advantage.
• Strongcommunication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectivelywith internal and external stakeholders.

JOB SPECIFICS

Start date: January 2027 or asap

Salary: AS 52-57 £64,464-£69,855dependent on experience

Job role: Permanent, Full time, 52 weeks,37 hours per week

Location: Trust Central Office at The ValeAcademy, Dunstable LU5 4QP

The Trust reserves theright to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the deadline date.