At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance strategy and team, ensuring effective financial governance and reporting.
- Company: Join a leading educational charity group making a real impact in the UK and beyond.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous leave, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities and a commitment to inclusivity and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Be a trusted advisor and drive financial innovation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior financial experience and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 64473 - 64473 £ per year.
Starting Salary: £51,578.40 (FTE £64,473 per annum)
Job Type: Permanent, part-time
Working pattern: 28 hours across 4 days a week, flexible and hybrid working options are available and will be discussed.
In this role you will:
- Provide strategic leadership across our Finance and Estates functions, leading and developing the team to deliver an effective, high-quality service.
- Act as a trusted financial adviser to the CEO, Deputy CEO, Leadership Team and Board, providing clear insight and guidance to support strategic decision-making.
- Lead the development of budgets, forecasts, management accounts, statutory accounts and financial reporting, ensuring strong financial governance and effective use of resources.
- Drive the modernisation of our financial systems and processes, supporting our wider digital transformation agenda and making effective use of Sage Intacct.
- Oversee key areas including cash management, audit, risk, taxation, pensions, procurement, banking and regulatory reporting, ensuring we continue to meet our financial and legislative responsibilities.
- Partner with leaders across the organisation to identify commercial opportunities, maximise value for money and support sustainable organisational growth.
If you have the following attributes, then we’d be even more impressed:
- You are a qualified accountant, such as CIMA, ACCA, AAT or CIPFA, with significant experience in a senior financial role.
- You have significant experience of managing budgets and substantial financial operations, alongside a strong understanding of financial governance and compliance.
- You combine strong commercial acumen with the ability to think strategically and translate financial information into clear, meaningful insight for others.
- You are an experienced and inspiring leader who can build trusted relationships, influence stakeholders and confidently provide constructive challenge at senior and Board level.
- You are comfortable embracing technology and using financial systems to improve processes, efficiency and organisational decision-making.
- Senior financial experience gained within the charity sector.
- Experience of contributing to or leading organisational change projects.
Closing date: 12 noon on 23 November, 2026
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Stacey Boardman, Head of People and Culture at Stacey.Boardman@ascentis.co.uk.
We reserve the right to close the job vacancy early if we find an appointable candidate or receive a high volume of applicants.
This job may meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for visa sponsorship.
About us: We are proud to be one of the UK’s leading educational charity groups, encompassing an awarding organisation, a provider of dyslexia intervention software. Our enthusiastic people bring genuine passion and natural energy to everything that they do and through their infectious energy they transform the lives of thousands of people each year through the power of education.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays, birthday day off, closure days gifted during the Christmas period, increased annual leave with long service and an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme (up to a maximum of 43 days)
- Competitive pension benefits, including a salary sacrifice scheme
- Access to Informal Flexibility, allowing you to flex your working times and location where viable
- Incremental service benefits as a family-friendly employer, including enhanced Maternity, Neonatal, Paternity, Shared Parental, Adoption Leave and Pay, Sick Pay, Life Insurance, and Paid Compassionate Leave
- Access to state-of-the-art office and break facilities
- Free parking, locked bike storage shed
- Access to car electric charging points (charges payable by employee)
- Tailored learning and development opportunities
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Home and Tech Scheme
- Discounted gym membership at 3-1-5 Health Club
- 24-hour employee helpline and a proactive focus on wellbeing
- Aviva DigiCare+ health app with access to virtual GP appointments, annual health check and more
- Reward and recognition scheme, regular team building and communication activities
Do you like the sound of Ascentis, but think your skills might suit another role? We also have other vacancies available. Take a look at our website for more! www.ascentis.co.uk/jobs
Financial Controller employer: Ascentis
Ascentis is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture that prioritises collaboration, continuous learning, and employee empowerment. With a commitment to quality and innovation in the education sector, employees benefit from tailored development opportunities, generous leave policies, and a range of wellbeing initiatives, all while working in a modern office environment in Lancaster. Join us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of learners and enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller
✨Dive into Financial Communities
Join financial forums and local networking events where professionals in financial controlling hang out. Places like the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or local finance meetups can connect us with insiders who know about part-time opportunities, like the one at Ascentis.
✨Leverage Campus Resources
If we’re still studying or recently graduated, let’s not forget to use our university’s career services. They often have leads on part-time roles in financial controlling, particularly with companies looking for students to fill these positions, making it a win-win!
✨Demonstrate Your Skills Publicly
Share your insights on financial topics through blogs or LinkedIn posts. Showcasing our expertise in areas like budgeting, forecasting, or variance analysis can attract the attention of potential employers, including Ascentis. Plus, it sets us apart from other candidates.
✨Check Out Freelance Platforms
Even for a part-time gig, consider platforms like Upwork or Freelancer. They often have short-term projects in financial controlling, and landing one can help us build our portfolio. Keep an eye on roles that could lead to more permanent positions at places like Ascentis.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Financial Acumen:For a role in financial controlling, we really want to see your analytical skills shine through. Make sure your CV highlights any coursework or experience with financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. If you've worked on any projects that involved financial modelling, definitely mention those!
Quantified Achievements Are Key:In financial roles, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your experience, use quantifiable achievements whenever possible. For example, if you helped reduce costs or improved a process, include the percentage or amount saved. This will make your application really pop!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Part-Time Availability:Since this is a part-time position, it's super important to specify your availability in your cover letter. We want to know when you can work and how you plan to balance this role with other commitments. Highlight your motivation for joining Ascentis and why this flexibility fits your lifestyle.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:If you have any certifications related to finance or accounting (like ACCA or CIMA), make sure they're front and centre in your application. Even if you're studying towards a qualification, mention that too! It shows your commitment to the field and continuous improvement.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ascentis
✨Get comfy with numbers!
Since you're diving into financial controlling, be ready to crunch some numbers during the interview. Brush up on key financial concepts and be prepared for technical questions about budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. Practicing some numerical problems will really help us shine!
✨Show off your analytical skills
For a part-time role in financial controlling, you'll likely face scenario-based questions. Prepare to discuss how you would analyse company performance or tackle cash flow issues. We want to demonstrate our problem-solving approach and critical thinking—making a sense of data is key!
✨Bring your portfolio of wins
Even if it’s part-time, showcasing our past experience can set us apart. Gather examples of projects where you implemented financial controls or helped improve reporting processes. Concrete achievements give us an edge, showing that we can deliver real value to Ascentis.
✨Know the part-time game
With part-time roles, employers want to see that we can effectively manage our time. Be ready to discuss our availability and how we plan to balance work and other commitments. We should convey our motivation and readiness to contribute without compromising quality!
