Finance Manager
| Posting date: | 05 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 February 2026 |
| Location: | Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 6HE |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 90208501-e08b-4253-a3c7-65ea0f07ff7a |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking to recruit an exceptional individual to join our Finance team as Finance Manager. The successful candidate will, under the direction of an experienced Finance Director have day-to-day responsibility for the operation of the finance function of a cluster of schools. (the schools).
Ideally, you will be a qualified accountant with experience in a Single Academy Trust or Multi Academy Trust and/or a Further Education setting. You will have a track record of delivering a top-quality service to students, staff and stakeholders. However, part qualified applicants with the relevant experience, who are nearing completion of formal qualifications, will also be considered.
If this sounds like you then please apply below or contact Jill Wyman, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at jwyman@iniciotrust.org for an informal discussion.
Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified candidates with the appropriate skills, vision and desire to work at our Trust, where expectations are high and there is a strong focus on student achievement.
What the school offers its staff
We offer:
Pension scheme
Free Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
CPD
Further details about the role
THE ROLE
• The Finance Manager (“FM”) will work closely with the CFO and FD assisting with the schools’ finance administration. The FM will be responsible for managing the schools’ financial management system; for the day-to-day running of the schools’ accounts; providing information to the CFO, FD and Senior Staff for decision-making purposes; and for managing the functions, staff and resources of the schools’ Finance Team to deliver the financial services required to pupils, staff and outside agencies. The position is subject to the procedures set out in the DfE Academies Trust Handbook and the Trust’s Financial Policies and Procedures Document.
• The FM is expected to keep abreast of changes in financial procedures (e.g. HMRC, EFA, Teachers’ Pensions, LGPS, Local Authority) which will affect the operation and management of the schools.
• The FM will be responsible to the FD for the effective management of the financial postings of the schools.
• The FM will assist the CFO and FD with financial compliance and submission of accounting and other returns to external agencies.
• The FM will be a team player with experience of developing teams and exposure to creating positive working cultures.
Specific Responsibilities - Financial Duties Daily
In general, the responsibilities and duties of the post include:
• To work closely with the CFO and FD in developing and managing the schools’ annual budget setting process. Analysing and reconciling financial information from finance system for decision-making and budgeting purposes.
• To develop and maintain sound financial systems (including managing the system of cost centres and ledger codes) and controls in line with the requirements of the Academy Trust Handbook.
• To ensure the correct operation of the schools’ financial management system to provide clear and correct financial information and using it to process all orders and invoices, including making payments, in accordance with the Trust Financial Policies and Procedures Document
• To work in coordination with the CFO and FD in the preparation of monthly and annual accounts identifying departmental cost codes and inputting the details onto the annual accounts.
• To assist in the monitoring of expenditure against budget for commitment and variance reporting.
• To manage the PO, invoice input, sales invoice and the finance administrator role activities as and when required.
• Line leadership for finance assistants
Specific Responsibilities - Financial Duties Monthly
• To liaise with the SENDCos and various Local Authorities to ensure that due Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding is identified, invoiced, and received on a timely basis.
• To manage and review monthly credit card reconciliation and all other postings including Direct Debits.
• To prepare the bank reconciliation by the agreed deadline.
• To monitor the expenditure and income of cost centres and departmental spending highlighting issues such as areas of overspending and underspending to the CFO.
• To produce monthly VAT returns for submissions; sending them to HMRC; and reconciling the VAT control account.
• To prepare monthly management accounts, cash flow, departmental budget monitoring reports, balance sheets, etc. as required for the Governing Body, including balance sheets, re-forecasts, and key performance indicators where appropriate.
• To oversee the Bursary payments on a monthly basis
• To ensure all government returns are submitted accurately and on time.
• Gift Aid coordination (where applicable) with school Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), ensuring all gift aid forms are processed, liaising with and supporting the PTA treasurers
Specific Responsibilities - Financial Duties Monthly
• To liaise with the internal scrutiny officer, as necessary.
• To administer the voluntary accounts or private funds including liaising with Heads of Department and teachers in charge of journeys.
Specific Responsibilities - Financial Duties Annually
• To manage the end-of-year procedures for the schools’ budgets in preparation of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.
• To lead on the schools’ audit process
• To ensure all government returns are submitted accurately and on time.
• To plan, organise and manage own workload to ensure all duties are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Health and Safety
• To contribute to a safe and healthy workplace by following health & safety instructions and policies.
• To present a positive personal image, contributing to a welcoming Trust environment which supports equal opportunities.
• Other Responsibilities
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security and confidentiality, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the Trust
• Compliance with the IET Staff Code of Conduct.
• To actively comply with and promote all working policies and procedures.
• All members of the support staff are expected to be flexible and to assist with duties outside their normal area of responsibility from time to time.
• The nature of the work demands that discretion and confidentiality are of utmost importance at all times.
• The duties and responsibilities set out here are not exhaustive and may be changed or added to in the light of subsequent developments and the best interests of the exigencies of the school.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
We are seeking to recruit an exceptional individual to join our Finance team as Finance Manager. The successful candidate will, under the direction of an experienced Finance Director have day-to-day responsibility for the operation of the finance function of a cluster of schools. (the schools).
Ideally, you will be a qualified accountant with experience in a Single Academy Trust or Multi Academy Trust and/or a Further Education setting. You will have a track record of delivering a top-quality service to students, staff and stakeholders. However, part qualified applicants with the relevant experience, who are nearing completion of formal qualifications, will also be considered.
If this sounds like you then please apply below or contact Jill Wyman, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at jwyman@iniciotrust.org for an informal discussion.
Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified candidates with the appropriate skills, vision and desire to work at our Trust, where expectations are high and there is a strong focus on student achievement.
What the school offers its staff
We offer:
Pension scheme
Free Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
CPD
Further details about the role
THE ROLE
• The Finance Manager (“FM”) will work closely with the CFO and FD assisting with the schools’ finance administration. The FM will be responsible for managing the schools’ financial management system; for the day-to-day running of the schools’ accounts; providing information to the CFO, FD and Senior Staff for decision-making purposes; and for managing the functions, staff and resources of the schools’ Finance Team to deliver the financial services required to pupils, staff and outside agencies. The position is subject to the procedures set out in the DfE Academies Trust Handbook and the Trust’s Financial Policies and Procedures Document.
• The FM is expected to keep abreast of changes in financial procedures (e.g. HMRC, EFA, Teachers’ Pensions, LGPS, Local Authority) which will affect the operation and management of the schools.
• The FM will be responsible to the FD for the effective management of the financial postings of the schools.
• The FM will assist the CFO and FD with financial compliance and submission of accounting and other returns to external agencies.
• The FM will be a team player with experience of developing teams and exposure to creating positive working cultures.
Specific Responsibilities - Financial Duties Daily
In general, the responsibilities and duties of the post include:
• To work closely with the CFO and FD in developing and managing the schools’ annual budget setting process. Analysing and reconciling financial information from finance system for decision-making and budgeting purposes.
• To develop and maintain sound financial systems (including managing the system of cost centres and ledger codes) and controls in line with the requirements of the Academy Trust Handbook.
• To ensure the correct operation of the schools’ financial management system to provide clear and correct financial information and using it to process all orders and invoices, including making payments, in accordance with the Trust Financial Policies and Procedures Document
• To work in coordination with the CFO and FD in the preparation of monthly and annual accounts identifying departmental cost codes and inputting the details onto the annual accounts.
• To assist in the monitoring of expenditure against budget for commitment and variance reporting.
• To manage the PO, invoice input, sales invoice and the finance administrator role activities as and when required.
• Line leadership for finance assistants
Specific Responsibilities - Financial Duties Monthly
• To liaise with the SENDCos and various Local Authorities to ensure that due Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding is identified, invoiced, and received on a timely basis.
• To manage and review monthly credit card reconciliation and all other postings including Direct Debits.
• To prepare the bank reconciliation by the agreed deadline.
• To monitor the expenditure and income of cost centres and departmental spending highlighting issues such as areas of overspending and underspending to the CFO.
• To produce monthly VAT returns for submissions; sending them to HMRC; and reconciling the VAT control account.
• To prepare monthly management accounts, cash flow, departmental budget monitoring reports, balance sheets, etc. as required for the Governing Body, including balance sheets, re-forecasts, and key performance indicators where appropriate.
• To oversee the Bursary payments on a monthly basis
• To ensure all government returns are submitted accurately and on time.
• Gift Aid coordination (where applicable) with school Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), ensuring all gift aid forms are processed, liaising with and supporting the PTA treasurers
Specific Responsibilities - Financial Duties Monthly
• To liaise with the internal scrutiny officer, as necessary.
• To administer the voluntary accounts or private funds including liaising with Heads of Department and teachers in charge of journeys.
Specific Responsibilities - Financial Duties Annually
• To manage the end-of-year procedures for the schools’ budgets in preparation of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.
• To lead on the schools’ audit process
• To ensure all government returns are submitted accurately and on time.
• To plan, organise and manage own workload to ensure all duties are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Health and Safety
• To contribute to a safe and healthy workplace by following health & safety instructions and policies.
• To present a positive personal image, contributing to a welcoming Trust environment which supports equal opportunities.
• Other Responsibilities
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security and confidentiality, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the Trust
• Compliance with the IET Staff Code of Conduct.
• To actively comply with and promote all working policies and procedures.
• All members of the support staff are expected to be flexible and to assist with duties outside their normal area of responsibility from time to time.
• The nature of the work demands that discretion and confidentiality are of utmost importance at all times.
• The duties and responsibilities set out here are not exhaustive and may be changed or added to in the light of subsequent developments and the best interests of the exigencies of the school.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.