At a Glance
- Tasks: Support academies with financial insights, budgeting, and data-driven decisions.
- Company: Join the Harris Federation, a leader in social mobility and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, professional development, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent growth opportunities and diverse team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while advancing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Finance or related field; experience in financial analysis preferred.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
WORKING WITH US
The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.
We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.
As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
We are looking for a Finance Business Partner to support some of our academies with clear financial insight, smart budgeting, and data-driven decision-making. You’ll work closely with Principals and senior leaders, acting as a trusted advisor and helping drive efficiencies across our schools. If you’re an analytical, confident finance professional with strong stakeholder skills, we’d love to hear from you.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to assess business performance against targets and trends.
- Perform analysis to guide strategic decisions.
- Analyse margin performance, cost drivers, and overheads, recommending opportunities for efficiency and savings.
- Produce and review monthly balance sheet reconciliations to ensure accuracy and reliability of reports submitted to stakeholders.
- Reporting & Commentary
- Prepare accurate and insightful financial reports including dashboards, variance reports, and commentary for business reviews.
- Translate raw financial data into actionable insights tailored to specific audiences (e.g. operations managers, Principals, department budget holders).
- Identify data anomalies and validate results by reconciling figures with source systems.
- Business Partnering
- Act as a financial advisor to various departments/Schools, supporting them in managing budgets, understanding performance, and planning.
- Build trusting relationships with stakeholders by being approachable, knowledgeable, and supportive.
- Decision Support
- Provide financial modelling to support business cases, changes in trends, and contract negotiations.
- Assist managers in interpreting financial outcomes and guide them on how to improve profitability and efficiency.
- Risk Management & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to relevant UK financial regulations, such as HMRC requirements, Companies Act, and internal financial controls.
- Monitor adherence to internal financial procedures, policies, and delegated authorities.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, ACA).
- Commitment to ongoing professional development to remain current with UK financial regulations and best practices.
- A minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in a finance role, ideally with exposure to financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Experience in a commercial or multi-site operational environment is advantageous.
- Demonstrable experience working with financial systems such as Oracle, SAP, or equivalent ERP solutions for financial reporting and analysis.
APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation. Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.
OUR VISION & VALUES
Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Safeguarding Notice: The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities: The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
- Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression.
- Annual performance and loyalty bonus.
- Pension scheme with generous employer contribution.
- 26 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service.
- Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare.
- Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice.
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme.
- Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts.
Finance Business Partner in London employer: HARRIS FEDERATION
At the Harris Federation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional development and offers a wealth of benefits, including generous annual leave, a strong pension scheme, and access to comprehensive wellbeing support. Located in East Croydon, we provide flexible working arrangements that empower our staff to thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
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✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with HARRIS FEDERATION.
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