Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and operations for a growing educational trust.
- Company: Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, dedicated to supporting students with special educational needs.
- Benefits: Generous pension scheme, professional development, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to children's welfare and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the financial sustainability of an innovative educational organisation.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior leadership experience and strategic financial insight.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 117800 ÂŁ per year.
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust consists of eight academies and one sixth form across Tees Valley, Durham and North Yorkshire, serving approximately 1,000 students with a broad range of special educational needs. Following the retirement of the current postholder, the Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join the Executive Leadership Team. Based at Abbey Hill Academy, the CFO will play a pivotal role in shaping financial sustainability and supporting the Trust’s long-term strategic direction at an exciting stage of growth, building on strong and stable financial foundations.
Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CFO will lead all aspects of financial strategy, planning and operations. This includes ensuring robust financial governance, delivering value for money, and enabling high‑quality decision‑making that supports improved outcomes for pupils. The CFO will also lead the central finance function and contribute to wider Trust strategy, working collaboratively with senior leaders across education and operations to align financial planning with organisational priorities.
Key Responsibilities and Qualifications
- Be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant senior leadership experience.
- Demonstrate a strong track record of strategic financial leadership within a complex organisation (education or public sector experience desirable but not essential).
- Have experience advising Boards and senior stakeholders, translating financial information into clear strategic insight.
- Ensure strong financial governance and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Be an inspirational, collaborative leader with the ability to develop high‑performing teams and build effective relationships.
- Bring strong commercial acumen with a focus on efficiency, sustainability and continuous improvement.
Benefits
- An ambitious and forward‑thinking Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees.
- A highly collaborative and supportive Executive Leadership Team.
- A committed and skilled Central Team across Finance, HR, Estates, IT and Operations.
- Well‑established systems, processes and infrastructure.
- Extensive and varied professional learning opportunities.
- Access to a wide range of support for your physical and mental wellbeing.
- Family Friendly Working policies to support work‑life balance.
- Access to a generous Local Government or Teachers’ Pension scheme.
- Recognition by Investors in People as a Gold organisation and Silver award for wellbeing.
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of children. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check, appropriate references and a 6‑month probation period.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) employer: Horizons Specialist Academy Trust
Contact Detail:
Horizons Specialist Academy Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the education sector! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current CFOs or finance leaders. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your strategic financial leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've shaped financial sustainability in previous roles. We want to see that you can think big and align financial planning with organisational priorities!
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on Horizons Specialist Academy Trust! Understand their mission, values, and the challenges they face. We recommend preparing thoughtful questions that show you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their long-term strategic direction. This will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process. Let’s get you one step closer to that CFO role!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the CFO role. Highlight your strategic financial leadership experience and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Horizons Specialist Academy Trust.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led financial strategy in complex organisations and how that experience can benefit our Trust. Keep it engaging!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We’re looking for an inspirational leader, so don’t shy away from sharing your leadership philosophy. Talk about how you’ve built high-performing teams and fostered collaboration in previous roles. We want to know how you can inspire our team!
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and keep track of your application. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Horizons Specialist Academy Trust
✨Know Your Numbers
As a CFO, you'll need to demonstrate your financial expertise. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the education sector and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive strategic decisions in previous roles.
✨Understand the Trust's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Horizons Specialist Academy Trust’s mission and values. Be prepared to articulate how your financial strategies can align with their goals, especially in supporting students with special educational needs.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading teams and collaborating with senior stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've inspired high-performing teams and built effective relationships, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about past challenges you've faced in financial governance or compliance, and be ready to discuss how you navigated those situations to achieve positive outcomes.