Head Of Management & Financial Accounting

Head of Management & Financial Accounting
Location:
Hybrid from our London WC1 office
Contract:
Full-time, permanent

Supporting Education Group is the leading education services platform in the UK working with schools, learners, multi academy trusts, local authorities, nurseries, and government departments to help solve the biggest human capital challenges facing the sector. Our goal is to empower students, educators, schools and governments with the technology, expertise and resources to ensure a high-quality education for all. The Group comprises of four customer-facing practices, Qualifications and Training, Recruitment and Supply, Professional Services and SEND and Inclusion, united by a shared purpose to make a positive impact on the education sector.

These practices are supported by SEG, the central Group function, which provides strategic leadership, governance and shared services.

As Head of Management & Financial Accounting, you will lead the Group's accounting function and a team of 7-8 finance professionals, partnering with senior leaders to enhance financial performance, and support the successful delivery of our transformation programme.
Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, this is a senior but very hands-on role. It brings together technical accounting rigour, financial control, people leadership and effective business partnering with senior HQ operational leaders, Senior Finance Practice Directors and stakeholders across the Group.
Alongside the production of high-quality monthly management accounts and reporting packs, you'll be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the balance sheets for the relevant entities, overseeing fixed asset accounting and control, and ensuring effective VAT compliance.
You'll play a key role in strengthening financial controls across the close and reporting cycle, while providing senior leaders with clear financial information and meaningful insight to support effective decision-making.

You'll also:

• Lead, coach and develop a team of 7 to 8, creating a collaborative, supportive and high-performing culture.
• Manage resourcing and workload across the team, ensuring key deadlines and objectives are achieved.
• Own the integrity of the relevant entities balance sheet, ensuring reconciliations are complete, accurate, supported and reviewed within agreed deadlines.
• Lead the fixed asset accounting and control framework across the relevant entities, including capitalisation, depreciation, disposals and regular verification of the fixed asset register.
• Oversee VAT compliance across the relevant entities, ensuring returns are accurate, appropriately reviewed and submitted on time.
• Ensure robust control over key accounting judgements and estimates, including exception reporting, revenue recognition, provisions, accruals and deferred income for relevant entities
• Strengthen financial controls across the close and reporting cycle, addressing control weaknesses and implementing sustainable improvements.
• Oversee monthly management accounts, practice reporting packs, variance analysis and month end financial commentary.
• Work closely with HQ operational leaders and Senior Finance Practice Directors to understand practice P&Ls and improve operational and financial performance.
• Lead the annual budget process for Group HQ and support periodic forecasting across the organisation.
• Support with the review of performance against individual practice and corporate targets, identifying emerging risks and opportunities.
• Contribute to medium-term financial planning and strategy.
• Drive continuous improvement across financial processes, systems, controls and reporting tools.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, increase automation and enhance the…