Finance Business Partner

We are delighted to partnering exclusively with STAR Academies to recruit a Finance Business Partner to provide financial leadership across three London based Schools. For an ambitious and proactive candidate this role is offering a salary of £56,918-£62,616 + NJC Outer-London Weighting + 28 days holiday + 8 public holidays + Local Government Pension Scheme.

Star Academies is a mixed Multi-Academy Trust that runs a diverse network of primary and secondary schools. The organisation currently has 33 free schools and academies, £171m t/o, with over 3500 employees.

They are a values-based organisation, committed to enhancing social mobility. All their efforts are geared towards raising the aspirations of children and young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to improve their life chances and help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment, and the professions.

Star Academies is one of the country's leading education providers, and their schools promote excellence in everything they do. In every school, the entire staff team - working in partnership with parents and the local community - is committed to nurturing today's young people and inspiring tomorrow's leaders.

Their schools work together as Star Partnerships in five cluster areas - Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the Midlands, and London. Schools within the Partnerships collaborate to share expertise and maximise opportunities and experiences for our pupils.

Finance Business Partner:

• Provide financial leadership and management across three London based Star schools/academies.
• Lead the development of financial operations and take responsibility for financial matters in all the designated schools/academies.
• Assume responsibility for financial compliance, budget preparation, financial reporting, school financial accounts, audit preparation, and financial systems and processes within all the designated schools/academies, as well as other areas of work commensurate with the purpose of the post.
• Provide specific expertise in long-term financial management, ensuring that all the designated schools meet the requirements set out by the Department for Education (DfE) and Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and comply with their statutory obligations.
• Work with the Principal and Trust's Senior Management Accountant to prepare annual Budgets for each of the designated schools/academies, managing day-to-day operational spend.
• Work closely with the Administrative Teams at each of the designated schools, ensuring compliance with financial procedures, including the purchasing of services and the preparation and monitoring of individual school budgets.
• Promote best practice by ensuring that designated schools/academies comply with the financial processes and procedures set out in the policies of the Multi-Academy Trust and Academies Financial Handbook.
• Support designated schools in their primary function of teaching and learning.

Finance Business Partner:

• You will be ACA, ACCA, CIMA/CGMA, CIPFA or equivalent qualified. Please note, part-qualified working towards qualifications will be considered.
• It is essential you have worked within the Education or Not-for-Profit sector.
• Proven ability of full financial management for an organisation or part of a Group.
• At least 3 years experience working as a Management Accountant or Finance Business Partner.
• Comfortable to produce school financial accounts and prepare for audit.
• Track record working with budget holders is critical.
• Experience managing large and complex budgets.
• Strong knowledge of financial charity regulations.
• Excellent financial planning skills.
• Ability to mentor and train members of staff.
• Willingness to visit each school (2-3 schools) during term time one day a week in Slough, Hackney & Waltham Forest.

Finance Business Partner:

• £56,918 to £62,616, plus NJC Outer-London Weighting.
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Hybrid working - 3 days on-site (1 day at each school) / 2 days at home.
• Flexible working hours.
• 37 hours per week.
• Reduced hours considered.
• Free parking at each school site in Slough, Hackney & Waltham Forest.
• CPD Allowance, inclusive of study support package beyond probation period.

EA First Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency for this permanent vacancy.