Head Of Finance

National Skills Agency; Manchester; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established training provider is seeking a qualified accountant for a senior finance role. Responsibilities include overseeing financial operations, ensuring compliance with funding rules, and providing insights for strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate has significant experience in a finance role, particularly in education, and strong leadership skills. This fully remote position allows the successful applicant to be based anywhere in England.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior finance role, preferably within the education or training sector.
• Deep understanding of ESFA funding rules, ILR processes, and apprenticeship funding models.
• Proficiency in financial systems and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day financial operations.
• Produce monthly management accounts with analysis.
• Ensure compliance with ESFA funding rules and audit standards.
• Develop and implement financial policies and internal controls.
• Prepare annual budgets and long-term forecasts.
• Manage year-end accounts and liaise with external auditors.
• Support development of bids and funding applications.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Commercial awareness

Attention to detail

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent)

Tools

Excel

Financial systems

Job description

THIS ROLE IS REMOTE WITH OCCASIONAL TRAVEL. THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT CAN BE BASED ANYWHERE IN ENGLAND.

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established and respected training provider, known for delivering exceptional education and skills programmes across a range of sectors. Their work helps learners achieve their full potential and supports employers in building a skilled and capable workforce.

The Role

This is a senior leadership position, responsible for overseeing the full finance function. The successful candidate will provide strategic financial direction, ensure full compliance with regulatory and funding requirements (particularly ESFA), and deliver accurate and insightful reporting to support key business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, payroll, and reporting
• Produce detailed monthly management accounts with analysis for the senior leadership team
• Ensure compliance with ESFA funding rules, audit standards, and all relevant financial regulations
• Develop and implement effective financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Prepare annual budgets and long-term forecasts aligned with organisational goals
• Manage year-end accounts and liaise with external auditors
• Support the development of bids, tenders, and funding applications with accurate modelling and risk analysisProvide strategic financial insight to the CEO and senior leadership team
• Lead, support and develop members of the finance team to maintain a high-performance culture.

What We're Looking For

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent)
• Significant experience in a senior finance role, preferably within the education or training sector
• Deep understanding of ESFA funding rules, ILR processes, and apprenticeship funding models
• Excellent commercial awareness and strategic thinking
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• A high level of integrity, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Proficiency in financial systems and Excel (experience with learner management or funding platforms a plus)