At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape financial strategies that directly impact student outcomes and decision-making.
- Company: Join South Pennine Academies, a trusted leader in education finance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment focused on governance and innovation.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming financial insights into actionable strategies for schools.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior-level experience in complex organisations.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 £ per year.
South Pennine Academies is recruiting a Chief Financial Officer who wants their impact to be felt across an organisation, not just reflected in its reports. The role offers the opportunity to shape how financial thinking supports decision‐making, influences behaviour and contributes to better outcomes for pupils. The Trust is looking for someone who can bring clarity and perspective to conversations, helping colleagues understand not just the numbers, but what they enable. This is a senior finance leadership role operating within a highly regulated, publicly funded environment where governance, control and compliance are critical. The Trust already benefits from strong financial discipline, robust audit and well‐established controls. Maintaining that integrity is fundamental, and any evolution of the function must be built on those solid foundations.
Responsibilities
- The Chief Financial Officer will act as a trusted partner and sounding board for the Chief Executive and senior leadership team, ensuring that financial insight is embedded into both strategic and day‐to‐day decision‐making across the Trust.
- This includes engaging directly with headteachers and school leaders, building relationships that allow finance to be understood, valued and actively used.
- The role further develops the way financial information is produced and used, improving accessibility, timeliness and relevance, and evolves systems through automation, technology and AI to improve efficiency and reduce friction.
- Financial planning, forecasting and longer‐term modelling will support sustainability and informed investment decisions.
Qualifications
- The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA) with experience of operating at a senior level within a complex organisation.
- Experience within education or the public sector is helpful, but the ability to work within a well‐governed, publicly accountable environment and balance financial discipline with a forward‐looking, solutions‐focused approach is essential.
Chief Financial Officer in Elland employer: Forthsonline
South Pennine Academies is an exceptional employer that values the impact of its Chief Financial Officer role on the educational outcomes of pupils. With a strong commitment to financial integrity and governance, the Trust fosters a collaborative work culture where finance professionals can thrive and make meaningful contributions. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth, engagement with school leaders, and the chance to innovate through technology and automation in a supportive, publicly funded environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer in Elland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector or finance world. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that CFO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a presentation or a case study that highlights your financial insights and how they can drive decision-making. This will not only impress potential employers but also demonstrate your proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for those tough questions! Brush up on your knowledge about governance, compliance, and financial discipline in the education sector. Show them you’re not just about the numbers, but about making a real impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer in Elland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for making a difference in the education sector shine through. We want to see how your financial expertise can directly impact pupils' outcomes and support our mission.
Be Clear and Concise:In a senior role like this, clarity is key. Make sure your application is straightforward and easy to read. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the point while showcasing your qualifications and experience.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to emphasise your experience in complex organisations, especially if you’ve worked in education or the public sector. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique challenges we face and can navigate them effectively.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically to our Trust and the role of Chief Financial Officer. We want to see how your skills align with our goals and how you can contribute to our strong financial discipline and governance.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forthsonline
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Chief Financial Officer, you’ll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of financial metrics and how they influence decision-making. Brush up on key financial reports and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive strategic outcomes in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership and the ability to engage with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've built relationships with senior leaders and headteachers, and how you've made finance accessible and valuable to non-financial colleagues.
✨Emphasise Compliance and Governance
Given the highly regulated environment, be prepared to discuss your experience with governance, control, and compliance. Highlight specific instances where you've maintained integrity and discipline in financial operations while driving innovation.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
The Trust is looking for someone who can balance financial discipline with a forward-thinking approach. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you've implemented solutions, particularly through technology and automation, to improve efficiency.
