Assistant Finance Manager (Temp to Perm)

Rutherford Cross is delighted to support our client in the education sector on the appointment of an Assistant Finance Manager. This role is initially an interim position, but will likely become permanent.

Main Responsibilities:

• Proactively support the Finance Manager to manage the finances of the institution and ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards and applicable bodies, including the HMRC and OSCR
• Ensure that the accounting function of the institution is up to date and best practice is always employed and to be proactive in this area
• Process and manage end to end monthly payroll
• Prepare VAT returns
• Support the Finance Manager to manage the accounting functions to ensure that all processes and procedures are reviewed and working efficiently
• Ensure reliable management information is provided, including preparation of management accounts and board packs and all deadlines are met timeously
• Prepare Budgets, Forecasts and Cashflows for regular presentations to the Finance Committee
• Integral part of supporting the year end Audit process
• Ownership of maintaining the general ledger within the finance system, PASS

Business Partnering:

• Produce the draft Annual Budget for review by and discussion with the Finance Manager
• Prepare budget reforecasts and seek out variance explanations as required
• Create and develop financial modelling and scenario planning to assist with decision-making
• Liaise and challenge Heads of Department and other budget holders regarding their departmental finances
• Provide financial training to non-finance managers

Operational Financial Management:

• Take responsibility for the financial management and administration requirements of both the Educational Trust and the Institution Club
• Carry out any other ad hoc duties as required relating to the finances of the institution and liaise with families and staff as appropriate

The Assistant Finance Manager will bring best practice from previous roles to improve financial processes and will build positive and influential relationships across the organisation. The individual will be comfortable with and adaptable to change as the organisation continues to evolve.

Key Candidate Requirements:

• Qualified accountant (CA, ACCA, CIMA), qualified by experience or part-qualified
• Strong all-round accounts knowledge including experience in preparing management accounts and statutory accounts
• Excellent IT skills particularly experience in using Microsoft Excel at an advanced level
• Ability to problem solve effectively through asking appropriate questions and actioning accordingly
• Highly skilled in numeracy and focused on working efficiently, with an emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent decision-making skills, and confidence in making good judgements
• Ability to work well independently and in a team, delegating appropriately as required
• Excellent planning and organising skills, including the ability to work to deadlines
• Demonstrate the capacity for having line management responsibilities for a team
• Versatility to ‘flex’ between commercial thinking and day-to-day operational tasks, including routine journals, month-end close tasks, VAT
• Ability to form relationships and communicate with staff, stakeholders, and the wider community at all levels
• Experience in seeing tasks through from start to finish and following up to ensure such tasks are completed efficiently and in a timely manner
• Demonstrate proactive initiative, self-motivation and diligence to accomplish tasks unsupervised

For more information on the role, please contact Euan Bodie at Rutherford Cross.

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.