Regional Finance Manager

Job Description

Empowering Learning are supporting a Multi-Academy Trust, who are seeking to appoint a Regional Finance Manager for their East Anglia hub of schools on a permanent contract basis, with an immeduiate start for the right person.The overall purpose of this post is to be professionally responsible and accountable for providing a high-quality financial service to the academies that the post-holder has responsibility for. The post is central to supporting the Trust and its academiesto achieve their strategic aims and objectives, via effective and efficient management of its financial resources to enhance the life chances of children.You will be a senior finance business partner to the school leadership teams and will work closely with the Trusts Head of Financial Planning and Analysis and the Trusts Financial Controller to continuously develop processes and Finance staff in the academieswithin the region.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESLeadership & strategy

• Meet regularly with the regions Secondary Principals and Primary Headteachers to discuss financial strategy, monthly management accounts, ongoing rolling forecasts and to provide financial and commercial advice.
• Attend relevant leadership meetings at the academies in the region and negotiate and influence operational decision -making, within each schools senior leadership team.
• Lead on the development of budgets and the three-year financial plans for the academies in the region, ensuring they reflect the strategic priorities of the academies and the academy development plan.
• Lead on the financial aspects of Curriculum Led Financial Planning (CLFP) for the regions academies, working with the school leadership team.

Financial Management

• Ensure that financial management and procedures within the academies complies with the requirements of the Trusts Finance Manual, applicable accounting standards, the Charities SORP, the Companies Act and with ESFA guidance including the Academy TrustHandbook and Academies Accounts Direction.
• Proactively implement the Trusts policies and procedures and ensure compliance with the Trusts framework of internal controls.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the finance function and promote shared learning and good practice across Trust academies.
• Prepare the budgets and 3-year plan in line with Trust guidance, for the academies within the region.
• Continuously update the rolling financial forecasts for the academies within the region using the Trusts budgeting software, and ensure budgeting controls are upheld and that the academies work within the approved budget.
• Manage the production of insightful month end reporting in line with the Trusts timetable and maintain procedures to ensure financial transactions are recorded and reported accurately within the accounting system.
• Ensure monthly payrolls are checked and authorised in line with the procedures issued by the Trust and liaise with the Trusts payroll provider as required.
• Identify income generation opportunities for the academies within the region including preparation of grant applications, cost/ benefit analysis for new income generating measures and the development of new initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with the Trusts procurement processes including competitive tendering and approval in line with the Finance manuals Delegated Authorities.
• Appraise and develop procurement business cases.
• Manage the provision of information for the year-end statutory accounts, ESFA returns, internal and external audit, in line with the guidance issued by the Trusts Financial Controller and implement audit recommendations on a timely basis.
• Provide financial training for school leadership teams, budget holders and other members of staff as required.

Trust-wide financial support

• Work with Financial Controller and the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis to actively develop and improve existing financial processes, procedures and analysis to promote best practice across the Trust.
• Undertake agreed project work for the Trust.
• Attend and participate in central finance team meetings.

Staff management

• Line manage and provide leadership, motivation and support to the regions school finance teams, ensuring appropriate standards of behaviour, performance and customer care are demonstrated at all times.
• Ensure continuous training and development of local school teams, undertaking personal development conversations with the teams on a regular basis and ensuring training needs are met.
• Lead in the recruitment, selection and induction of Finance staff for the schools within the region, with input from the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis/ Financial Controller.

Salary offered: £60,000 - £65,000Interivews to take place from Tuesday 11th September 2023.To discuss this role in more detail, please contact Kenny Fraser at Empowering Learning on or email

Keyskills :
EducationFinance ManagerFinance Business PartnerFinance Controller