Finance Manager

Job Reference #: EDV/2026/MET/40929

Location: Maiden Erlegh School Silverdale Road, Earley, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 7HS

Contract Type: Permanent

Contract Term: Full-Time

Salary: £40,778.00 - £45,091.00 Annually (Actual)

Hours: 37 hours per week, all year round

Closing Date: 11:59pm, 19th Feb 2026

Start Date: ASAP

Positions Available: 1

Interview Date(s): 23 February 2026

As Finance Manager, you will lead the day-to-day delivery of our central finance services, ensuring that financial transactions are processed accurately, efficiently and in line with Trust policies. You will oversee the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, income, reconciliations and VAT functions, while supporting month-end and year-end processes.

You will also line‑manage our Shared Services Finance Assistants, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing team, and support the ongoing development of finance systems, policies and controls across the Trust.

This role reports to the Financial Controller and works closely with finance colleagues, Trust and school leaders, external partners and other key stakeholders.

• Lead central finance operations including AP, AR, journals, reconciliations and income processing.
• Support compliance with VAT, audit and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare high‑quality financial information and support month‑end and year‑end processes.
• Manage finance mailboxes and ensure prompt handling of queries.
• Oversee and develop finance systems, user access and internal controls.
• Provide system and process training to staff.
• Maintain robust bank, credit card and other reconciliations across the Trust.
• Line‑manage Shared Services Finance Assistants, ensuring effective workload management and continuous improvement.
• Drive process optimisation and identify opportunities for automation and improved reporting.
• Contribute to the development and review of finance policies and guidance.
• Support cross‑Trust work, fostering collaboration and consistent best practice.

• A qualified or part‑qualified accountant (AAT/ACCA/CIMA) or has equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Experienced in hands‑on operational finance, including month‑end close and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Skilled in managing transactional finance processes.
• Highly proficient in Excel (pivot tables, lookups, SUMIFS, IF statements, data validation and reconciliation).
• Detail‑oriented, analytical and committed to high standards.
• Organised, reliable and calm under pressure.
• Proactive and solutions‑focused, with strong ownership of tasks.
• Experienced in a shared services, education, academy trust, public sector or not‑for‑profit environment (desirable).
• Able to build positive, professional relationships at all levels.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community of highly effective schools that deliver excellent education opportunities for the children and young people of the communities we serve. Through our work we will ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to deal with the demands of an ever‑changing world. The Trust currently comprises 9 schools in the local area, with a variety of settings including primary, secondary, special and a PRU.

As a Trust, we encourage professional development at all levels through the use of cross Trust networks to share best practice and ideas. We also actively encourage the promotion of staff to different roles within the Trust and to different settings in line with their career aspirations. Click Work @ Maiden Erlegh Trust to find out more information about why you should work for Maiden Erlegh Trust and to read testimonials from existing staff.

Further information about some of the staff benefits that Maiden Erlegh Trust offers its employees, can be found on our website HERE

• We operate a system of ‘ME days’ allowing staff to request on additional day off per year to attend special events such as children’s sports days & graduations, family and friends' weddings.
• CPD is available for all staff at all levels.
• Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff.
• Free eye tests are…