At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial operations and strengthen controls during a transitional period.
- Company: A growing Multi-Academy Trust focused on educational excellence.
- Benefits: Immediate impact, collaborative environment, and opportunity for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a chance to influence positive change.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping financial governance and operational stability.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance roles within education, strong audit and compliance knowledge.
A Multi-Academy Trust is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Manager to provide critical support during a period of transition. This role will focus on strengthening financial controls, supporting audit readiness, and ensuring continuity across finance operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Knowledge Capture & Handover
- Work closely with the Head of Finance to map duties, deadlines, controls, and key contacts
- Document file locations, system processes, and review points
- Develop and maintain a live handover and process log
- Core Finance Controls
- Oversee month-end close processes, including journals and reconciliations
- Manage bank authorisations and checks
- Ensure robust financial controls and maintain a clear audit trail
- Audit Readiness & Coordination
- Take ownership of the audit evidence tracker
- Allocate requests and proactively chase responses
- Review completeness and coordinate audit activity to meet timelines (including mid-October deadlines)
- Funding, VAT & Compliance
- Manage VAT claims, General Annual Grant (GAG) and other funding reconciliations
- Oversee payroll and pension documentation
- Ensure compliance with related-party disclosures and governance requirements
- Systems & Process Transition
- Support implementation and testing of a new purchase ledger system
- Ensure new processes are thoroughly documented and understood by the wider team
- Team Coordination
- Reduce single-person dependencies by sharing knowledge across the team
- Clarify roles and responsibilities
- Produce practical process notes to support ongoing operations
Candidate Profile
- Proven experience in a Finance Manager or senior finance role within the education sector - ideally Multi Academy Trusts
- Strong understanding of financial controls, audit processes, and compliance
- Experience with systems implementation and process improvement
- Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities in an interim environment
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Why Apply?
- Opportunity to make an immediate impact within a growing MAT
- Key role influencing financial governance and operational stability
- Collaborative leadership team and purpose-driven environment
Interim Head of Finance in Wakefield employer: Hays
Join a forward-thinking Multi-Academy Trust as an Interim Head of Finance, where you will play a pivotal role in enhancing financial governance and operational stability. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth and encourages knowledge sharing, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact during your tenure. Located in a vibrant educational community, we offer a unique opportunity to influence the future of finance within the education sector while working alongside a dedicated leadership team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Finance in Wakefield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience with Multi Academy Trusts. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of financial controls and audit processes. We recommend practising common interview questions related to these topics so you can showcase your expertise confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that interim role! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Finance in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Interim Head of Finance. Highlight your experience in financial controls and audit processes, especially within Multi Academy Trusts. We want to see how your skills align with what we need!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this interim role. Share specific examples of how you've managed financial operations and improved processes in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills:This role involves a lot of collaboration, so don’t forget to mention your experience working with teams. Talk about how you’ve shared knowledge and reduced dependencies in previous roles. We’re all about teamwork here at StudySmarter!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around financial controls and audit processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Understand the Role
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Think about how your previous roles align with the key tasks, like managing bank authorisations and ensuring compliance. This will help you articulate how you can hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as overseeing month-end close processes or managing VAT claims. Prepare some scenarios where you've successfully navigated similar challenges, showcasing your problem-solving skills.
✨Engage with the Team
Since this role involves team coordination, be prepared to discuss how you’ve previously reduced dependencies within a team. Share examples of how you’ve fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing, which is crucial for a smooth transition.
