Trust Finance Manager – based at Durrington High School

Dmat; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Durrington Multi Academy Trust in Worthing is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead the Trust's finance function, ensuring efficient payroll, pensions, VAT, banking, BACS payments, reconciliations and robust financial controls across our schools.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will drive month-end and year-end processes, support audits and provide guidance to colleagues across the Trust to promote strong financial governance.

Qualifications

• Qualified finance professional with AAT Level 4 or equivalent.
• Significant experience in payroll, pensions, bank reconciliations, BACS payments and VAT returns.
• Experience in a multi-site academy/school finance environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Leading monthly payroll administration and payroll reconciliations.
• Managing Teachers' Pension and Local Government Pension Scheme processes.
• Preparing VAT returns and maintaining financial controls.
• Managing banking transactions, BACS payment runs and cash balances.
• Completing balance sheet and bank reconciliations.
• Supporting audits, month-end and year-end processes.
• Providing advice and support to finance colleagues across the Trust.
• Contributing to development and improvement of Trust-wide financial procedures.

Skills

Payroll administration

Pensions administration

Bank reconciliations

BACS payments

VAT returns

Financial controls

Excel

IRIS/PS Financials

Education

AAT Level 4 or equivalent

Tools

IRIS/PS Financials

Job description

Durrington Multi Academy Trust is seeking to appoint an experienced and motivated Trust Finance Manager to support the delivery of an efficient, compliant and high-quality finance service across the Trust.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will play a key role in the operational management of the Trust's finance function, leading core processes including payroll, pensions, VAT, banking, BACS payments, reconciliations and financial controls. You will help ensure that financial transactions are processed accurately, efficiently and in line with statutory requirements and Trust policies.

Working closely with colleagues across our schools and central teams, you will provide guidance and support to promote consistent financial procedures and strong financial governance throughout the Trust.

About You

You will be a qualified finance professional (AAT Level 4 or equivalent experience) with significant experience in finance operations, including payroll administration, pension administration, bank reconciliations, BACS payments and VAT returns. You will have strong technical skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high levels of accuracy.

You will be confident using finance systems and Excel, capable of working independently, and able to build effective working relationships with colleagues across a multi-site organisation. Experience within an academy trust, school finance environment, IRIS/PS Financials, Teachers' Pensions or LGPS would be advantageous.

Most importantly, you will be professional, trustworthy and solutions-focused, with a commitment to continuous improvement and supporting schools to deliver the best outcomes for pupils.

The Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading monthly payroll administration and payroll reconciliations.
• Managing Teachers' Pension and Local Government Pension Scheme processes.
• Preparing VAT returns and maintaining financial controls.
• Managing banking transactions, BACS payment runs and cash balances.
• Completing balance sheet and bank reconciliations.
• Supporting audits, month-end and year-end processes.
• Providing advice and support to finance colleagues across the Trust.
• Contributing to the development and improvement of Trust-wide financial procedures.

Why Join Us?

Durrington Multi Academy Trust is committed to providing excellent support services that enable our schools to focus on delivering exceptional education. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative and ambitious Trust and make a significant contribution to our ongoing success.

Salary - £51,356 SCP40

Hours - Full time - 37 hours per week

Closing Date - 9am - Monday 21st Sep 2026