Interim CFO; Academy Trust

Overview

RM Recruit is partnering with a prominent Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) to recruit an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer for a period of circa 6 months. Due to a temporary leadership gap, the Trust requires an accomplished financial leader to steer the central finance function through a critical operational window up until December 2026. This role is based near Rotherham, with flexibility and remote-working options for the right candidate.

• Reporting directly to the CEO and supported by a capable Finance team, lead an established central finance team.
• Immediately lead and deliver the upcoming Budget Forecast Return (BFR) and prepare the Trust for the critical August Year-End Audit.
• Balance Sheet Oversight: conduct remediation on the balance sheet, focusing on capitalisation, fixed assets, and balancing accounts that require unpicking due to the leadership transition.
• Systems Implementation & Testing: oversee the transition and integration of the Trust s financial systems (Access Finance and IMP Planner; actively testing and migrating to IMP Purchasing as of 1 September).
• Centralisation & Reporting: review, refine, and modernise the monthly Management Accounts (MA) process to reflect recent rapid structural changes across the MAT.

You will be an accomplished CFO or Senior Finance Director with proven experience within the Academy / Education sector. You will have a robust understanding of MAT accounting principles, statutory financial returns, and complex balance sheet management. Strong systems literacy is required, ideally with exposure to IMP Finance / Planner / Purchasing and Access Finance software.

You will be qualified (ACA/CIMA/ACMA/CIPFA); however, candidates who are qualified by experience / part qualified will be considered if they evidence strong sector experience.

Immediate availability to interview and start, with the ability to hit the ground running within a few weeks.

If you are looking for a new challenge in a forward-thinking Academy Trust, we encourage you to apply.

RM Recruit is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and will treat all applicants equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, marital/civil partnership status, age, disability, race, religion, pregnancy, ethnic or national origin.