Interim Finance Director/Head of Finance

SATIS EDUCATION LTD; England; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education organization is seeking an Interim Finance Director/Head of Finance to provide operational financial leadership across a Multi-Academy Trust. This role involves overseeing financial management, compliance, and operational services to support strategic objectives. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in finance, strong Excel skills, and a relevant bookkeeping or accountancy qualification.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years’ experience in operational finance.
• Experience in managing finance within the public or charitable sectors is desirable.
• Undergraduate degree is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning process for annual budgets and forecasts.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements relating to accounting processes.
• Oversee the delivery of the in-house payroll service.

Skills

Strong Excel skills

Financial compliance knowledge

Operational finance experience

Education

Bookkeeping or accountancy qualification (e.g. AAT)

Level 3 qualifications (A-levels or equivalent)

Tools

Sage 200

Orovia payroll and budget software

Job description

Interim Finance Director/Head of Finance

Start date: As soon as possible- December 2025

Working Pattern: Full- time (Flexible working offered)

Remuneration: Interim day rate to reflect salary of up to £55’000

Satis Education are seeking to appoint an interim Finance Director/ Head of Finance, to be based at our client school in the Cheshire area. This is a unique opportunity for an enterprising and forward-thinking person to assist with the financial administration within school.

The Interim Finance Director / Head of Finance will provide operational financial leadership across the Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), reporting to the CFO. The role ensures sound financial management, robust compliance, and delivery of financial services to support the Trust’s strategic and educational objectives. This includes oversight of management accounts, payroll, statutory reporting, financial planning and risk management.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as the lead for the strategic planning process for annual budgets, 3-year forecasting and periodic forecasts for the Trust and its schools (12 cost centres)
• Ensure that the Trust is compliant with all legal requirements relating to accounting processes and practices, public sector finances, HMRC regulations and the Academy Trust Handbook
• Oversee the delivery of the in-house payroll service, ensuring all statutory deadlines and submissions are met and staff are paid accurately and on time and that relevant pension contributions are collected and paid and all required records kept.
• Provide sound advice to the Trust Board and schools on all financial matters, in order to improve performance and opportunities
• Have overall responsibility for the production of the annual accounts (through the external accountants) and manage the internal and external audit process
• Ensure the production of monthly management accounts for all schools and the central budget, and highlight anomalies and trends that may affect budget planning promptly
• Ensure the reconciliation of all schools’ control accounts monthly, review other accounts and calculate monthly journals
• Responsible for the management of the recovery of bad debt across all schools within the Trust
• Proactively manage the cash position of the Trust and its operating activities, and report regularly on this aspect of financial management to the CFO and Trust Board
• Plan and co-ordinate all tax and treasury management practice and policy
• Responsible for all finance related statutory returns
• Manage the finance team staff development, conduct staff development reviews and participate in training, induction and staff development events
• Attend Board sub-committee meetings and the main Board meetings (as required)
• Prepare reports for Board sub-committees and the main Board meetings as required
• Review and update the Finance risk register in conjunction with the CFO, manage the risks and plan remedial action
• Ensure that the Trust achieves value for money across all its activities, including the delivery of services
• Ensure that the finance team seeks continuing improvement in its management and systems.
• Draft and review finance related policies and procedures

Essential criteria:

• Bookkeeping or accountancy qualification (e.g. AAT) At least 5 years’ experience in operational finance Level 3 qualifications (A-levels or equivalent) Knowledge of academy sector financial compliance Strong Excel skills

Desirable criteria:

• Experience in managing finance within the public or charitable sectors Undergraduate degree Experience with Sage 200 Experience with Orovia payroll and budget software Familiarity with in-house payroll processes Line management experience

To discuss the role in further detail, please contact Jenna Everett via [e-mail] | 01744 634654. To apply, please send a full and up to date CV.

Satis Education is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.