Finance Manager

Finance Manager

Location:

Maidstone – on site, full time. Salary: £49,500/annum plus benefits.

We are recruiting a highly skilled and motivated Finance Manager to lead the day‑to‑day operations for our client in the education sector. This role is pivotal in supporting long‑term sustainability and compliance within the organisation.

• Oversee daily financial operations and all aspects of the accounting function, ensuring strong processes and internal controls.
• Maintain accurate accounting records, including control accounts, bank reconciliations and nominal ledger review; review all key reconciliations monthly.
• Ensure accounting records comply with all relevant Companies and Charities legislation, including GAAP, Charities SORP and Charities Commission guidance, and align processes and treatments to the Foundation’s framework.
• Prepare the year‑end pack as part of the audit and statutory accounts process led by the Foundation Office.
• Lead and prepare for the annual external audit, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Prepare annual accounts for the subsidiaries.
• Produce monthly management accounts, budgets, reforecasts and cash‑flow statements, providing clear information and recommendations.
• Support payroll, salary and pension queries; oversee monthly payroll journals.
• Monitor budget performance and KPIs, investigate variances and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Assist with cash‑flow management by producing regular forecasts, ensuring liquidity for operational and capital needs.
• Oversee collection and repayment of pupil deposits.
• Co‑develop and maintain a 5‑year financial scenario plan in IMP, the Forecast and Budgeting tool, with the Bursar.
• Assist in developing long‑term financial plans and forecasts, including pupil numbers, staffing, tuition and expense projections.
• Prepare financial reports for the Governors’ Finance Committee.
• Advise on and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Oversee the termly fee billing cycle and ensure accuracy with support from the Finance Team.
• Oversee the Fees in Advance scheme and accounting for the scheme, including year‑end disclosures.
• Oversee registration income (working with admissions team and Fees Officer as appropriate).
• Oversee the VAT process; review VAT reporting and reconciliations for accuracy, review VAT quarterly return and Capital Goods Scheme. Liaise with the Foundation Office responsible for group VAT submission and play a proactive role in the VAT working group with Foundation to ensure VAT is treated consistently and accurately across the group.
• Oversee appropriate use of credit cards as part of budget monitoring, ensuring policy is adhered to.
• Manage the credit control process.

• Experience as a Finance Manager within the education or charity sector is desirable.
• Accounting qualification is desirable (ACCA/ACA/CIMA).
• Strong leadership, analytical and communication skills.

Application: CVs to y.fle