Operational Finance Assistant - Operational Growth

Salutem Care & Education; Clewer Village; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24/7 Employee Assistance

Health Cash Plan

Cancer Cover

Menopause support

Flexible pay with Wagestream

Job summary

Salutem Care & Education seeks an Operational Finance Assistant to provide dedicated financial modelling, analysis and reporting support for growth and development programmes within our Operational Finance team. You will assess the financial viability of new services, schools, acquisitions and property developments, and track performance as projects mobilise and operate.

You will build clear models, test scenarios, document assumptions and risks, and support informed investment decisions.

Qualifications

• Experience in accounts, finance assistant or assistant management accountant role.
• Strong Excel skills, with confidence building structured calculations.
• A good understanding of profit and loss, accruals, prepayments and cost drivers.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to explain findings to non-finance colleagues.
• Working towards, or willing to work towards, AAT, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain financial models for new services and growth opportunities, covering income, staffing, operating costs and capital investment
• Prepare scenario and sensitivity analysis to support business cases and investment decisions
• Convert approved models into mobilisation budgets and project trackers
• Monitor new services' performance against their business cases and explain variances
• Provide management accounting support, including accruals, prepayments and reconciliations

Skills

Excel

P&L understanding

Accruals & prepayments

Cost drivers

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Financial modelling

Education

AAT/CIMA/ACCA (or equivalent)

Tools

Sage 200

Power BI

Power Query

Job description

About The Company

The Operational Finance Assistant – Growth – will provide dedicated financial modelling, analysis and reporting support for Salutem's growth and development programme. Working within the Operational Finance team and closely with the Chief Commercial Officer, the postholder will help assess the financial viability of new services, schools, acquisitions, property developments, extensions, and major refurbishments.

The role will build and maintain clear, reliable financial models for project briefs and business cases, bringing together occupancy and referral assumptions, fee income, staffing structures, payroll costs, operating expenditure, capital investment and project timescales. The postholder will support informed investment decisions by testing different scenarios, clearly documenting assumptions and risks, and comparing approved models with actual performance as projects move through mobilization and into operation.

About The Role

Operational Finance Assistant

Salary: £28,000 – £32,000 | Location: Hybrid / Regional, with attendance at the Windsor office and project locations as required | Contract: Full-time, Permanent

We're looking for an Operational Finance Assistant to provide dedicated financial modelling, analysis and reporting support for Salutem's growth and development programme. Working within our Operational Finance team, you'll help assess the financial viability of new services, schools, acquisitions and property developments. You'll then track how they perform once they're up and running. It's an ideal role for someone looking to build their career towards management accounting and business partnering.

What you'll do

• Build and maintain financial models for new services and growth opportunities, covering income, staffing, operating costs and capital investment
• Prepare scenario and sensitivity analysis to support business cases and investment decisions
• Convert approved models into mobilisation budgets and project trackers
• Monitor new services' performance against their business cases and explain variances
• Provide management accounting support, including accruals, prepayments and reconciliations

Who we're looking for

• Experience in an accounts, finance assistant or assistant management accountant role
• Strong Excel skills, with confidence building structured calculations
• A good understanding of profit and loss, accruals, prepayments and cost drivers
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to explain findings to non-finance colleagues
• Working towards, or willing to work towards, AAT, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent

Desirable

• Experience producing financial models or business cases for new services or property projects
• Experience with Sage 200, Power BI or Power Query
• Experience in social care, education, healthcare or another regulated multi-site environment

Our Core Values:

• Supportive: Helping everyone reach their full potential.
• Ambitious: Striving for the best outcomes.
• Loyal: Prioritising our staff and the people we support.
• Unique: Innovating without compromising quality.
• Transparent: Fostering openness and mutual respect.
• Engaging: Partnering with everyone involved.
• Meaningful: Offering fulfilling opportunities.

Why Choose Us?

• Emotional Support: 24/7 Employee Assistance, mental health resources, meditation apps, and bereavement support.
• Medical Support: Free Online GP access, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover, and Menopause support.
• Financial Support: Flexible pay with Wagestream, utility bill savings, Money Helper, and Life Assurance.
• Physical Support: Online workouts, Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts, and National Trust activities.

Still not convinced?

• Recognised as a Top Employer United Kingdom 2026 by the Top Employers Institute.
• Named among the Top 100 Global Inspiring Workplaces by Inspiring Workplaces.
• Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer.

Salutem Care and Education is dedicated to protecting and promoting the well-being of children, young adults, and vulnerable individuals. As part of our safer recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS and, where applicable, overseas criminal record checks.