Trust Finance Director

Bullers Wood School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension scheme

28 days annual leave

Professional development

Flexible working

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Bullers Wood School is seeking a Finance Director to provide strategic financial leadership across the Trust, reporting to the CFOO and ensuring robust financial controls and reporting to the governing body.

The successful candidate will oversee budgeting, financial planning, statutory returns, and risk management for the secondary and primary academies, with focus on shared services, estates, and capital projects. Excellent communication and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Proven senior finance experience, ideally in education or public sector.
• Strong knowledge of the Academies Trust Handbook and regulations.
• Experience with multi-academy trusts and capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance activity across the Trust, including budgeting and forecasts.
• Oversee statutory returns, reporting and risk management.
• Manage the finance team and ensure robust controls and governance.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and liaise with CFOO.
• Support capital projects and estates financial planning.

Skills

Leadership

Financial reporting

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Education

Professional accounting qualifications

Tools

Access

PS Financials

Sage

Job description

Job Purpose:

The Finance Director will play a pivotalrole in supporting the CFOO by providing operational leadership and financialmanagement across the Trust. The postholder will lead day-to-day financeactivity, with a particular focus on the secondary phase schools and sharedservices, while providing oversight of primary phase finance. Working withinthe strategic financial framework set by the CFOO, the Finance Director willoversee financial planning, compliance, reporting and risk management acrossall academies within the Trust ensuring robust financial controls are in placeand that key financial risks and issues are escalated appropriately.

Key Responsibilities

• Supportthe CFOO in the development, implementation and delivery of the Trust'sfinancial strategy, ensuring alignment with the Trust's educational prioritiesand long-term sustainability.
• Leadfinance activity for the secondary phase schools and shared services team,including preparation of annual budgets, forecasts and financial plans, anddirect line management of the secondary school finance managers.
• Provideoversight of primary phase finance through line management of the Head ofPrimary Finance, operating within the strategic financial framework and overalloversight of the CFOO.
• Ensurethe timely preparation and submission of all statutory financial returns,including Budget Forecast Returns and other Department for Education (DfE)requirements
• Overseefinancial reporting, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with theAcademies Trust Handbook and DfE requirements.
• Lead and managethe Trust’s finance team, providing guidance to finance managers and seniorleaders while fostering high performance and continuous improvement.
• Ensureeffective financial controls, policies, and procedures are in place and adheredto.
• Monitorfinancial performance and provide insightful analysis to supportdecisionmaking.
• Supportcapital projects, including financial planning and reporting for estates andinfrastructure developments.
• Contributeto risk management processes, including financial risk assessments andmitigation strategies.
• MonthlyGAG transfer statement preparation for all schools, along with raisingBACs/account transfers/posting requirements for other schools. Distribution of DfE remittances and filing.
• Coordinatethe operational delivery of statutory external audit requirements, acting asthe main day-to-day contact for auditors and escalating key issues to the CFOOas required. Second in charge for internal audit
• CentralBank Account Coordination. Ensure that all schools move to agreed bankingplatform and manage all signatory information and banking controls .
• Ensureimplementation of all Chart of Account changes, Policy and Procedures
• Leadcommunications to finance managers on changes to Access, Chart of Accounts,Financial Policy Changes and preparing draft Financial Policies and Procedures(FPP) annual updates.
• Collectinformation from respective schools for audit reporting, and other statutoryreports.
• Pensionsaudit co-ordination.
• Providesupport for finance training across our schools and shared services
• Deputisefor CFOO when necessary (finance committee, audit committee)
• Leadthe continuous development of the finance function, promoting high standards ofperformance, customer service, professional development and continuousimprovement.

This is a not definitive list of responsibilities as the CFOO may need todelegate key responsibilities when support is needed.

PersonSpecification

Essential:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience in a senior finance role, ideally within theeducation or public sector.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations relevant toeducational trusts (e.g., Academies Trust Handbook).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage complex financial information and present itclearly to nonfinancial stakeholders.
• High level of integrity and commitment to the Trust’s values andmission.

Desirable:

• Experience working within a multi-academy trust or similarorganisation.
• Knowledge of financial systems used in education (e.g., Access,PS Financials, Sage).
• Experience in managing capital projects and funding streams.

Benefits

• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme employer’s contributionof 17.4%
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days.
• A supportive Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Collaborative and supportive working environment.