Senior Finance Partner for Education Trust (Hybrid)

Forward Education Trust, Company; Tile Cross; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid working arrangements

LGPS membership

Professional development and career机会

Supportive leadership team

Trust Health Plan and EAP

Impact across the Trust

Job summary

Forward Education Trust is seeking a highly capable Senior Finance Business Partner to join our central team. This role leads monthly management accounts, supports budgeting and forecasting, and provides strategic financial analysis to school and Trust leaders while ensuring robust controls and reporting.

You will report to the Director of Finance & Operations and collaborate with headteachers, trustees and senior leaders to drive sustainable, value‑driven financial decision‑making across our

Qualifications

• Significant experience in management accounting, budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience of year-end accounts preparation and working with auditors.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Proactive approach to continuous improvement and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and delivery of monthly management accounts across the Trust.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and medium-term financial planning.
• Provide strategic financial analysis using ICFP, modelling and business partnering support to school and Trust leaders.
• Support external audit activity and lead year-end preparation and statutory financial returns.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and key balance sheet controls.
• Drive robust financial systems, controls and reporting processes across schools and central teams.

Skills

Management accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Year-end accounts

Auditors experience

Excel advanced

Financial modelling

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA)

Job description

Forward Education Trust is seeking a highly capable Senior Finance Business Partner to join our central team. This role leads monthly management accounts, supports budgeting and forecasting, and provides strategic financial analysis to school and Trust leaders while ensuring robust controls and reporting.

You will report to the Director of Finance & Operations and collaborate with headteachers, trustees and senior leaders to drive sustainable, value‑driven financial decision‑making across our