Head of Finance

Huntress; Guildford; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Huntress is delighted to support a well-established independent school trust in appointing a Head of Finance. This is a key leadership position, reporting directly to the Bursar and providing financial leadership across the Trust.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of the finance function, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting and effective financial management, while providing clear insight to support strategic decision-making.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in accounting (ACA/ACCA preferred).
• Significant financial management experience within a complex organisation.
• Strong track record in management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Experience leading audits, statutory reporting and a finance team.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of management accounts, reporting and variance analysis.
• Oversee budgeting, rolling forecasts and long-term financial planning.
• Provide financial analysis and modelling to support decisions.
• Oversee cash flow, treasury and financial controls.
• Manage fee billing, income collection and payroll/pension processes.
• Lead year-end accounts and liaise with external auditors.

Skills

Financial management

Management accounts

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Analytical skills

Stakeholder communication

Education

ACA/ACCA qualified

Experience in a complex organisation

Job description

Head of Finance

Huntress is delighted to be supporting a well-established independent school trust in the appointment of a Head of Finance. This is a key leadership position, reporting directly to the Bursar and providing financial leadership across the Trust.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of the finance function, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting and effective financial management, while providing clear insight to support strategic decision-making.

The Role

As Head of Finance, you will lead and develop the finance team and oversee a broad range of financial activities, including:

• Leading the preparation of half-termly management accounts, financial reporting and variance analysis
• Managing the annual budgeting process, rolling forecasts and longer-term financial planning
• Providing financial analysis and modelling to support operational and strategic decisions
• Overseeing cash flow, banking, treasury and financial controls
• Managing fee billing, income collection, debt management and other income streams
• Providing oversight of payroll and pension processes
• Leading the year-end accounts process and acting as the main point of contact for external auditors
• Leading the Finance Team

Supporting the Bursar, Senior Leadership Team and Governors with financial information and strategic projects

About You

You will be a professionally qualified accountant (ACA or ACCA, preferred) with significant financial management experience within a complex organisation.

You will have a strong track record across management accounts, budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and analysis, together with experience of leading audits, statutory reporting and managing a finance team.

The ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders is essential, alongside strong technical accounting knowledge, excellent analytical skills and a commercially minded approach.

Experience within the education or charitable environment would be advantageous, as would knowledge of charity accounting, education-sector VAT and experience supporting Governors, Trustees or Board Committees.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance leader to take a senior role within an established organisation, working closely with the Bursar and wider leadership team and playing a key part in the School's financial sustainability and future development.

We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.

PLEASE NOTE: We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK.