Interim Finance Manager FTC

Location: Manchester (hybrid/office-based)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience + pension and benefits
Start date: ASAP

A large, values-led education trust is seeking a proactive, detail-driven Finance Manager to join its central finance team in Manchester
. This is a key role supporting strong financial management across a secondary school, ensuring excellent financial controls, timely reporting, and high-quality support to budget holders.

Reporting into senior finance leadership, the Finance Manager will oversee day-to-day finance operations and provide accurate management information to support decision-making. You’ll work closely with school and central colleagues to ensure financial compliance, value for money, and effective forecasting.

• Produce monthly management accounts
  , including variance analysis and reporting packs.
• Support budgeting and forecasting across multiple sites/teams.
• Maintain strong financial controls (purchase-to-pay, approvals, reconciliations, audit trails).
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and ensure an accurate month-end close.
• Partner with budget holders to provide guidance, challenge, and support (including training where helpful)
• Drive continuous improvement in finance processes and systems (automation/standardisation where possible).

• Proven experience in a Finance Manager role within education
• Strong month-end, budgeting, and forecasting capability.
• Excellent Excel skills and confidence producing clear, accurate MI.
• Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
• Organised, solutions-focused, and able to manage competing priorities.
• Experience in education/public sector is desirable but not essential.
• Purpose-led organisation with a supportive team culture.
• Professional development and progression opportunities.
• Competitive benefits package (details available at application stage).

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