Funding Assurance - Assistant Manager (4835)

MAZARS LIMITED; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading professional services firm seeks an Assistant Manager for their Funding Assurance team in Birmingham, responsible for ensuring compliance with funding rules for education providers. The role offers exciting career progression opportunities while engaging with diverse clients and projects in a hybrid working environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Opportunities for career growth

Qualifications

• Qualified or experienced in relevant accounting or assurance qualifications (e.g., ACA, CA, ACCA, IIA).
• Knowledge of funding assurance reviews, PDSATs, and ILR data.
• Understanding of DfE, GLA, and MCA funding rules.

Responsibilities

• Lead funding assurance reviews from planning to reporting.
• Coordinate and support the overall work programme for funding assurance.
• Organize tasks based on team members' skills and supervise junior staff.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Client handling

Education

ACA, CA, ACCA, IIA qualification

Job description

Funding Assurance - Assistant Manager (4835)

Introduction to our Funding Assurance team

Education providers can obtain funding from central government through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), which became part of the Department for Education (DfE) on 01/04/2025. The DfE also manages adult education funding, now called the adult skills fund, devolved to Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs), including the Greater London Authority (GLA). This encompasses various funding streams such as 16 to 19 study programmes, T Levels, apprenticeships, adult education budget, community learning, advanced learner loans, skills bootcamps, bursary funds, and free meals in further education.

The Funding Assurance team monitors and examines data reported to the ESFA, DfE, GLA, and MCAs to identify errors in funding claims by education providers for post-16 delivery. The team plays a crucial role in ensuring government funding is used appropriately and recovering any improper claims.

The role involves working closely with the Funding Assurance Partner, Manager, and team members to plan and deliver funding assurance reviews. During busy periods, the team collaborates with the wider Public and Social Sector Risk Consulting team, comprising approximately 100 staff, providing opportunities for broader engagement and development.

Job Purpose

You will deliver high-quality assurance over compliance with funding rules to further education colleges, independent training providers, and higher education institutions across the UK. Responsibilities include planning, coordinating, and executing funding reviews, liaising with clients, preparing documentation, leading fieldwork, and quality assurance. You will also contribute to training development, business proposals, and team growth.

The role offers potential for career progression within a growing team. You will support the wider Public and Social Sector Risk Consulting service line and contribute to its continuous improvement.

Our hybrid working model allows for a mix of remote work, office visits, and client site visits. The role can be based in Nottingham, London, Manchester, or Birmingham, with travel as needed.

You will report to the Manager, Director, and Partner responsible for Public Services within Risk Consulting.

Role & Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support the overall work programme for funding assurance with DfE, MCA, and GLA
• Lead funding assurance reviews from planning to reporting, including assessing financial impacts and clawbacks
• Perform fieldwork, liaise with clients, brief team members, and lead feedback meetings
• Organize tasks based on team members' skills and supervise junior staff during fieldwork
• Build strong relationships with clients and ensure issues are addressed promptly
• Maintain control under pressure, meet deadlines, and ensure quality standards
• Provide constructive feedback and support team performance appraisals
• Assist with special projects, such as grant assurance
• Present service features confidently to providers
• Identify opportunities for new work and support training and methodology development
• Ensure team adherence to standards and procedures

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Knowledge of funding assurance reviews, PDSATs, and ILR data
• Understanding of DfE, GLA, and MCA funding rules and regulations
• Qualified or experienced in relevant accounting or assurance qualifications (e.g., ACA, CA, ACCA, IIA)
• Strong interpersonal, client handling, and communication skills
• Experience managing and coaching junior staff
• Attention to detail and analytical skills
• Ability to develop initiatives and methodologies
• Ownership and delegation skills, with a focus on quality control
• Ability to build a network of contacts in the market

About Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars is a global professional services network operating in over 100 countries. We are committed to delivering exceptional client service across audit & assurance, tax, and advisory services. Our culture values diversity, teamwork, agility, and inclusion, supporting our people to reach their full potential.

We promote an inclusive recruitment process and are happy to discuss any support needed during your application. Learn more at forvismazars.com/uk.

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Opportunities for career growth