Finance Manager Jobs
- Director of Finance for prestigious Surrey independent private school
- ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified accountant - All sectors considered
About Our Client
The Director of Finance is responsible for the financial management of St George's Weybridge, a £30m business with over 500 staff. The post holder will fulfil a wide range of responsibilities and roles in connection with the financial strategy, accounting and general financial management of the School. The post is the most senior finance professional on the staff and reports directly to the Bursar, who is effectively the CFO/COO. As such, the Director of Finance has frequent direct contact with Governors and the Heads and attends the Governors' Finance and Risk Committee meetings.
The Director of Finance is a member of the Business Senior Management Team and leads a team of 8 staff, comprising the Management Accountant, Payroll and People Accountant, Fees Controller, Interim Project Accountant, Purchase Ledger Assistant and two Finance Assistants. A new role of Financial Accountant has been established and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence this role and appointment.
Job Description
- Formulate the financial strategy of the School alongside Governors and the Executive Leadership Team (consisting of the two Heads and the Bursar).
- Attend meetings of the Finance and Risk Committee of the Board of Governors, preparing financial reports and papers and leading on financial items tabled for discussion or decision.
- Attend and contribute to ad-hoc Governor meetings and discussions as required.
- Alongside the Bursar and the Heads, implement the School's strategic financial plans.
- Work closely with ELT to formulate operational spending plans and priorities.
- Work closely with the Director of HR on people strategies.
- Exhibit the behaviours and standards befitting a senior leader of St George's Weybridge, demonstrating and promoting the School's ethos and values.
- Lead and manage the staff in the Finance Department.
- Bring financial risks and opportunities to the attention of the Bursar and Governors.
- Conduct modelling and feasibility studies as appropriate.
- Review and implement changes to the system of financial control and reporting.
- Oversee production of monthly management information and bring appropriate matters to the attention of the Bursar, Heads and budget holders.
- Prepare papers for, attend, and contribute to the dealings of the Finance and Risk Committee.
- Prepare financial appraisals and reviews of major projects.
- Prepare long term forecasts and sensitivity analysis.
- Undertake competitor analysis and benchmarking studies.
- Retain financial awareness of external changes and development and provide recommendations and advice to the Bursar, including a thorough knowledge of relevant accounting requirements, such as GAAPs, FRSs and the Charity Commission SORP.
- Proactively investigate and promote ways of improving value for money.
- All accounting functions including nominal, purchase and fee ledgers, fixed asset register and the payroll.
- Oversee the staff and systems delivering all aspects of payroll.
- The accurate and timely production of management and financial accounts.
- The internal control environment.
- Management and control of fee collection.
- Preparation of the consolidated statutory accounts for St George's Weybridge and subsidiary companies.
- Liaising with external auditors on all matters connected with the annual audit of the School's accounts and other external accountancy advice.
- Preparing annual budgets and termly forecasts, including cash flow projections for the current and future years.
- Maintain, review and ensure compliance with the School's Financial Procedures Manual.
- Preparation of internal financial management reports, accounts and briefing papers, including monthly management accounting information to include cash flow statements and forecasts.
- Control of the treasury management function in order to ensure the most efficient and secure deployment of cash.
- Ensuring compliance with external regulators, including HMRC, the Charity Commission and Companies House.
- Being responsible for accurate and timely tax returns and tax reclaims, with professional advice where necessary, preparing recommendations for mitigating potential VAT and any other tax liabilities.
The Successful Applicant
- Formal Accounting qualification and experience of working in the commercial, educational or charity sectors.
- Experience of compliance with legislation and regulations relevant to the position
- Experience of contract negotiation
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- Ability to analyse and manipulate financial data.
- Competent in the use of IT, notably MS Office applications and the ability to use modern financial software tools.
- Proven experience of managing a team within a complex organisation
- Empathy with the ethos and values of St George's Weybridge.
- Personal warmth, tenacity and a transparent collaboration style.
- A 'can-do' attitude with a sense of humour and proportion.
- A flexible approach to work, both in terms of responding to changing or unforeseen circumstances and being willing to work outside of regular hours as the need arises
What's on Offer
Hybrid working opportunity
Flexible working
Generous pension scheme
School fee child remission of 50%
Life & personal accident insurance
Free meals and parking
Employee loans
Medial support and employee assistance programme
Local retailer discounts
Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.
The Biochemical Society and its wholly owned publishing subsidiary Portland Press Ltd (PPL) are seeking an experienced and influential leader to join us as our new Chief Executive, from January 2025 on the retirement of the current postholder Kate Baillie. You will play a crucial role in shaping and delivering a new strategy to increase our income, partnership, and growth potential.
The Biochemical Society was founded in 1911 and currently has around 5,000 members. It is a learned society that is at the forefront of advancing molecular bioscience, promoting its importance as a discipline, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise, and supporting molecular bioscientists across all career stages.
We are looking for a Chief Executive who can continue to grow our profile and positive reputation. To us, this means continuing our excellent work with our trustees, staff, community and stakeholders, enhancing our growth and building new partnerships.
As our new Chief Executive, you will lead us to empower individuals by developing and diversifying our income, providing inspiring leadership to our committed, expert and established team, and acting as an effective advocate and ambassador for the Society.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Introducing Harington
Harington is an Ofsted registered specialist college based in North London rated good, working with around 52 young people with learning differences aged 16-25. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment, that delivers outstanding personalised education, learning, and support, which leads to further education, employment opportunities, and a fulfilling life for each of our students.
We specialise in horticulture, retail and general employability. Our students undertake individualised learning programmes and supported internships that lead to vocational qualifications and achieving other aims. We support the wellbeing of our young people through providing mentoring, counselling, enrichment and other one-to-one support.
Our charity has two learning centres in Highgate and Hornsey. We also operate a gardening business and two charity shops, providing income for our charity, work experience placements for our students and employment for 14 young people. We work with local employers and partners to provide work experience and other opportunities for our students.
The Role
This is an exciting time to join the Harington, as we have recently appointed a new Principal/CEO. We want to ensure that the Harington is able to fulfil and secure its mission to benefit our young people, both now and into the future.
In the next year we will consolidate what we do well and seek to strengthen the areas where we could do better. The Interim COO will work with all stakeholders and closely with the Principal/CEO to review, plan and implement the necessary changes. The role is initially for 9 months, but it is anticipated that it will continue after the initial review and planning period.
This Interim Chief Operating Officer role will:-
1)Support the development and implementation of the strategic plan and through the annual Operations Plan and Budget, and be responsible for measuring and evaluating progress against goals and targets
2)Drive excellence and efficiency across Finance, HR, Governance, Operations, and IT, strengthening and embedding the right policies, systems, processes, technology and infrastructure ensuring seamless execution and robust management of risk.
3)Manage our three commercial businesses (two charity shops and Harington Gardeners) so they meet our social, learning and business aims
4)Oversee Harington’s fundraising so we secure the income we need from trusts and foundations, individual donors and community fundraising
5)Ensure effective management of the buildings and estate of a multi-site organisation, and the support services required to provide a suitable and safe environment for learning and working, that meets the required health and safety standards
6) Ensure that all staff feel valued and supported, with effective management of staff, operations and administration
The person
You are an exceptional senior leader that is passionate about achieving the best outcomes for young people with learning differences.
Working as part of the senior leadership and management team you will ensure that Harington is a safe environment where students can learn, work, thrive and grow. You will ensure our staff team is valued and supported, and our management team and trustees are kept up to date and fully informed.
You are an energetic, organised, and positive team player, similarly comfortable working independently. It is a very varied role and one that needs calm focus as well as spontaneity and initiative.
You are adept at getting to the root of an issue, finding the solution and making things run smoothly and efficiently.
We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and would consider 4 days a week or compressed hours.
Essential skills
- Successful senior leader within a medium sized organisation for a minimum of three years, with a results-proven track record
- Worked in charity and/or education setting
- Sound understanding of financial management, reporting and accounting systems
- Experience of successfully managing and implementing changes to improve the way things run
- Highly motivated and driven self-starter, able to adapt quickly when priorities change
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office products and database management systems
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in creating high-level reports and presentations
Our benefits
In addition to excellent staff training, our employees are also rewarded with various other benefits offered as part of your employment:
- Confidential employee assistance programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Fully paid for DBS
- Contributory pension scheme
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We value diversity and positively welcome applications from all backgrounds. This will help ensure our workforce better reflects the diverse wider community we support. Applicants who declare a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing and safety of our students and our staff. We expect everybody working for the Harington to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service for applications of employment as part of our safeguarding procedures.
Some of our positions involve regulated activity relevant to vulnerable children, adults and young people. It is a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with that particular group. Our vacancies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
All offers are conditional and subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and references including an enhanced DBS check. The salary range advertised is based on the full-time equivalent and appointment on the scale is dependent on the role, qualifications and experience.
Please show how you meet the person specification in the covering letter by writing up to 1000 words.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the Foundation:
The Avicenna Foundation was set up in 2023 to to support outstanding young British Muslims by providing them with scholarships for their undergraduate degree. The scholarships are mainly focused on awarding scholarships in the Social Sciences and Humanities for those interested in politics, policy-making and becoming agents of positive change.
Alongside the scholarship, the Avicenna Foundation runs a development programme for the scholars to expand their skills and abilities in various areas like leadership, communication and collaboration.
The Foundation has developed immensely in the first year with the launch of the charity; onboarding of it’s first cohort of 30 scholars and the development of a leadership programme. It now needs propelling into the next stage as the charity develops to ensure a robust charity structure and programme in place.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations:
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the charity, and manage changes required within programmes and activities as a result of changing external landscapes or contexts.
- Implement strategies for advertising the scholarships, receiving and reviewing applications, shortlisting candidates, conducting interviews, and making final selection decisions. Some of these things are already in place and may need reviewing and enhancing.
- Work with the Scholar Development Coordinator to oversee the leadership development programme, provide guidance and help the programme to grow.
- Maintain regular communication with the scholars, their progress, and address any issues or concerns that may arise.
- Ensure programme objectives and outcomes align with the overall strategy and aims of the Foundation, and are realistic and achievable within timeframes and budgets.
- Organise any events, programmes necessary to the scholars.
- Use data to track progress and drive improvement; proactively manage risks; and ensure effective use of the Foundation’s resources and budgets allocated to you.
Governance:
- Provide leadership and guidance to achieve consistency of governance across all of the Foundation’s activities, from development, delivery, measurement and evaluation and reporting perspectives.
- Regular communication and updates to the board, prepare board papers and contribute to Trustee meetings as required.
- Create, maintain and ensure continued adoption of governance frameworks, policies and templates.
- Ensure implementation and maintenance of risk registers for the charity and across all programmes.
- Manage finances, budgeting, reporting, and record-keeping
- Prepare the Foundation’s annual report.
External Engagement
- Lead on strategic communications by developing and implementing an integrated public affairs and communication plan that are consistent with the goals and values of the Foundation.
- Building and cultivating exceptional diverse reciprocal partnerships across a wide range of stakeholder groups, grounded in delivering impact through collaboration.
- Work with educational partners to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the scholarship programme
- Leverage messaging and networks to positively impact the growth and reputation of the Foundation.
- Strengthen our brand reputation to maximise our impact and reach.
- Help identify, create and develop meaningful opportunities for the young people the Foundation works with.
- Establish an alumni network and support continuous professional development for alumni.
- Produce briefings and critical information for internal and external stakeholders, and review reports, submissions, and letters where appropriate.
Experience and Skills
This is not a prescriptive list, and we do not expect applicants to meet every item outlined below. We recognise that it can be hard to find the ideal balance of knowledge and skills for this role. We are open to what this balance is, so if you are stronger in one or the other area but think you could do the job please still apply, and tell us why the role is right for you.
Required
- An appreciation and understanding of the Foundation’s values and vision.
- Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, combined with the ability to liaise with senior stakeholders.
- Experience in successful partnership working.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, lead, influence and motivate others.
- Good financial acumen and experience of managing and working within set budgets.
- A proactive, flexible approach, and ability to progress work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Diplomatic approach and highly self-motivated with a positive and energetic attitude.
- Focuses on what matters most, setting priorities and adapting them where required, with the right level of communication.
- Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills.
- Takes satisfaction in delivering work to a consistently high standard, and programmes on time and on budget.
- Communicates clearly and confidently to senior team members, and presents information effectively, at the right time, with the right level of information.
- Plans ahead, anticipates and reacts to change and project needs, and remains flexible and adaptive in the face of change.
- Experience of working to tight deadlines without close supervision.
- The ability to identify personal strengths and weaknesses, and a willingness to develop, adapt and learn
- A passion and interest in developing work streams to support the development of young people.
- A high level of digital literacy to include MS Office, G Suite, social media and other online platforms.
Advantageous
- Knowledge and experience in effective charity governance, with experience working within the charity/non-profit space.
- Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape in the UK as it relates to issues impacting students, young people and Muslim communities.
- Expertise in project/programme management with proven ability to manage complex projects, including the ability to develop and manage budgets, timelines, and resources.
- Structured thinking when working through problems, overcoming hurdles, mitigating risks and dealing with issues.
- Confidence in, and experience in, liaising with a wide range of stakeholders and project participants
- Previous work within areas of young people, local communities, or further education is a plus.
- An understanding of effective safeguarding (training can be provided, but experience an advantage)
- An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant field.
Please note that this job description is a guide to the work you will initially be required to undertake, but does not cover all of the duties the post holder may have to perform. Responsibilities will evolve over time, in discussion with the post holder.
For more than 50 years, the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) has been the voice of people living with dyslexia. We aim to influence government and other institutions to promote a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people of all ages to reach their full potential. The BDA is established as the leading dyslexia charity in the UK.
Unfortunately, the need for our support and services is high. Although awareness of dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties has grown, there are ongoing and widening gaps in access to the identification of dyslexia and the provision of expert learning support. Our national Helpline is busier than ever, supporting almost 5,500 people each year, reminding us on a daily basis why we must keep fighting for the rights of our beneficiaries.
Against a challenging backdrop for so many organisations, last financial year we saw continued growth in income from fundraising and training. We invested in growing our team and identified five strategic objectives for the period 2023-2026, and activities are currently underway to deliver these priorities. Our next CEO will continue to oversee these whilst laying the foundations for our next strategy cycle which we intend to publish in 2026. As such, the timing of this appointment allows the successful candidate the opportunity to work with the Board and other key stakeholders to articulate the long-term vision for our charity, establishing a plan that enables us to expand our reach and deepen our programmes.
The role of CEO at the BDA is one of both challenge and immense reward, offering the chance to lead a passionate and skilled team dedicated to making a tangible difference in society. The ideal candidate will bring strategic thinking, leadership experience and a commitment to promoting inclusion for our beneficiaries in education, in work and in life. The successful candidate will also need to demonstrate their financial acumen and business development and delivery skills, as achieving our mission will depend on financial security and sustainability.
We are excited about the next stage in our development as a charity and the opportunity to support even more people with dyslexia to reach their full potential. If you would like to be part of that journey, then we would love to hear from you.
To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Mark Crowley or Natalie Sanders at Tall Roots.