Finance Manager | Sittingbourne (3 and 2 hybrid) | Paying up to £48.5k DOE
We are working on behalf of a successful and growing multi-academy trust to appoint an experienced Finance Manager to play a key role within their central finance function.
This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with academies or public-sector experience to support senior leadership, contribute to strategic financial planning, and ensure robust financial control across the Trust.
Key Responsibilities:
*Producing accurate, timely budget and monitoring information for Headteachers, senior leaders, governors and directors
*Supporting financial planning and long-term forecasting to ensure sustainability and value for money
*Line manage Senior Finance Assistants and act as their first point of contact for workload and process queries
*Assist with the preparation of monthly management accounts and communicate key information to stakeholders
*Monitor and forecast expenditure against budgets, proactively resolving issues with budget holders and the CFO
*Monitor Trust income from the Department for Education and other funding sources, identifying and explaining variances
*Reconcile payroll monthly to budget, providing clear explanations for material differences
*Assist with audit preparation and completion of statutory and government returns
*Support year-end processes, ensuring timetables are adhered to and deadlines met
*Support procurement processes, including quotations, tendering and supplier liaison to achieve best value
*Assist with fixed asset registers, accruals and prepayments
The Ideal Candidate:
*Proven experience in financial management, ideally within education, academies, or the public sector - candidates from other industries will be considered
*Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and management accounting
*Experience of payroll reconciliation and audit preparation
*Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues