Head of Finance

Emanuel School; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Emanuel School is seeking a Head of Finance to strategically oversee financial operations, ensure compliance, and lead the finance team. This role requires exceptional leadership skills, relevant qualifications, and expertise in financial management. The ideal candidate will help maintain high standards and support the school's financial goals while providing robust financial analysis.

Benefits

Healthcare plan via Simply Health including counselling

Salary sacrifice childcare vouchers

Postgraduate course sponsorship

Good pension provision

Free lunches

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration required.
• ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualification essential.
• Significant experience in management and financial accounting necessary.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the school’s strategic financial management and planning.
• Preparing monthly management accounts and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
• Leading and managing the Finance Team.

Skills

Financial analysis

Leadership

Budgeting

Financial compliance

Education

Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration

ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualified

Job description

Head of Finance

Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 pa plus excellent benefits
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time

This is an opportunity for an experienced accountant with exceptional leadership skills to play a pivotal, strategic role overseeing the financial operations of Emanuel School.

As Head of Finance, you will be responsible for the school’s strategic financial management and planning, overseeing all aspects of accounting operations, payroll, financial compliance and risk management, and budgeting and forecasting.

You will provide robust financial analysis and assist with the financial evaluation of major capital projects, as well as support the Bursar with high quality financial reporting, preparing monthly management accounts and overseeing all aspects of accounting to ensure compliance with accounting standards.

You will also lead and manage the Finance Team to ensure the maintenance of the school’s accounts, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment and providing the necessary training, development and support for all finance team members to ensure they continue to carry out their duties effectively.

About You

You will need a degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration and will be ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualified or equivalent.

Excellent financial knowledge regarding accounting standards, software, VAT, payroll practices and pensions rules and regulations is essential.

You will also need significant experience of management and financial accounting, financial planning and setting/adhering to financial controls.

Experience of working within a school is not an essential requirement and we welcome applications from exceptional candidates from other sectors.

Working at Emanuel

There is always a buzz at Emanuel. Colleagues enjoy their work and, like the pupils, are ambitious for the school. With a weekly staff briefing, half termly staff meetings, termly consultative group meetings and a common room committee, all of us are engaged in a lively ongoing dialogue about the school’s aims and aspirations.

Everyone works hard here, and anyone joining us should expect to do the same and share our commitment to the highest standards. At the same time our ethos remains unpretentious, kindly and practical, and there’s a strong sense of community and friendship at the school.

We aim to look after our staff well: we have an appraisal scheme with a focus on employees’ professional development; we sponsor postgraduate courses and a range of training opportunities; we offer salary sacrifice childcare vouchers through TEDS Premier, we offer a healthcare plan via Simply Health that includes counselling and medical support; and we’re committed to supporting staff wellbeing. Financially, all staff benefit from good pension provision and free lunches.

For further details and to apply please click the apply button.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 22 June 2025.

Do note that interviews may be held at any stage after applications are received, so candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Emanuel School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.