At a Glance
- Tasks: Support budget holders with high-quality financial insights and manage month-end accounts.
- Company: Join Ark, an education charity dedicated to transforming lives through quality education.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days annual leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with opportunities for professional learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your finance skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified or newly qualified Accountant with strong numerical skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About The Role
Reports to: Financial Planning Manager
Location: West London (flexible working available)
Contract: Permanent, Full time
Firstround interviews will take place w/c 08 June 2026, with second round w/c 15 June 2026.
We're seeking a Finance Business Partner, who will be resilient, flexible, and able to operate in a busy environment, as well as excellent at managing competing demands and priorities. You will take the lead supporting budget holders with high-quality management information, supporting with budgeting and forecasting.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide efficient Finance Business Partnering support to various programme teams to facilitate timely recognition of planned Income and Expenditure.
- Lead on month-end management accounts for the departments in Ark Schools under your remit, including posting balance sheet adjustments and producing commentary alongside reporting.
- Effectively communicate monthly finances for your specified departments with the Financial Planning Manager and Head of Central Finance.
- Support budget holders and the Financial Planning Manager with the reforecast and budgeting processes.
- Work with the Fundraising team to support the Financial Planning Manager in reporting on Network reserves and external donations ringfenced to programmes.
Knowledge & Skills:
- An understanding of budgeting and forecasting and why it's important.
- Experience of producing and presenting finance reports, with excellent numerical and financial skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively and explain finance to non-finance professionals.
- Meticulous attention to detail and capable of meeting strict deadlines.
Qualification Criteria:
- Part-qualified or newly qualified Accountant / 1-2 years PQE.
- Educated to Degree Level.
- Right to work in the U.K.
Benefits:
- Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, striking the right balance between in-person collaboration and remote working.
- You will work a minimum of two days per week in our state-of-the-art office in West London allowing you to connect with colleagues, with the flexibility to work remotely, or in the office over the remaining days.
- In addition to our current hybrid working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad.
- Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments.
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part-time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays.
- Full office closure between Christmas and New Year.
- As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to.
- Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform.
- Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests.
About Us:
Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Our network of 39 schools reaches traditionally underserved communities in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. We educate 30,000 pupils and have nearly 3,000 teaching staff across our network.
Diversity and inclusion:
We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.
Safeguarding statement:
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check.
Please note we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.
For any questions, please contact recruitment@arkonline.org.
Finance Business Partner employer: ARK
Ark is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment in West London that prioritises work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements and generous leave policies. Employees benefit from professional development opportunities, a robust pension scheme, and access to a range of employee perks, all while contributing to a meaningful mission of providing quality education to underserved communities. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Ark fosters a culture where every team member can thrive and make a real impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the lookout for a Finance Business Partner role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your budgeting and forecasting knowledge, and be ready to discuss how you've supported budget holders in the past. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms – it’ll impress those non-finance folks!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your adaptability! In your interviews, highlight examples of how you've thrived in busy environments and managed competing priorities. This will demonstrate that you're the resilient candidate they're looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our mission at Ark to improve education for all children.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your budgeting and forecasting experience, and don’t forget to mention how you can support budget holders with high-quality management information.
Showcase Your Skills:We want to see your excellent numerical and financial skills in action! Include specific examples of finance reports you've produced and how you've communicated complex financial information to non-finance professionals.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role as soon as possible.
How to prepare for a job interview at ARK
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of budgeting and forecasting. Brush up on key financial concepts and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. This will show that you can provide high-quality management information effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll be working with non-finance professionals, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated financial information in the past, as this will highlight your ability to bridge the gap between finance and other departments.
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
The role requires resilience and flexibility in a busy environment. Think of specific instances where you've managed competing demands or adapted to changing priorities. Sharing these experiences will demonstrate that you're well-suited for the dynamic nature of the job.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, the company's goals, and how the Finance Business Partner role contributes to those objectives. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
