Head of Financial Control, Management Accounting and Payroll

At Lion Academy Trust (LAT), we take pride in providing an outstanding environment for pupils so they can succeed in their academic and general development. We are seeking a values-led, technically strong, and experienced finance professional to join our senior leadership team.

As a senior finance leader, you will be responsible for ensuring the Trust maintains a strong, reliable, and well-evidenced financial control environment, accurate management accounting, and effective payroll and pension assurance. You will turn Trust priorities into deliverable finance programmes, providing high-quality financial insight that directly supports educational outcomes across all our schools.

If you are a qualified accountant who balances a meticulous eye for numbers with a passion for public service and making a difference to pupils, we want to hear from you.

In return for joining us in this role we can offer:

• An opportunity to use your skills and knowledge to make a real difference to the pupils within our community.
• Annual leave entitlement, from 29 days, increasing to 32 days after five years (+ 8 bank holidays).
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Unlimited access to CPD and career development through providers such as The National College and The Key.
• Free access to an Employee Assistance Programme providing support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – this can include physiotherapy, legal and financial specialist support, counselling and wellbeing services.
• Perks at Work exclusive rewards and discounts programme.
• Cycle to work, technology and home salary sacrifice schemes.

Application Closing Date: 16 August 2026

Interview dates to be arranged: Week commencing 27 August 2026, subject to candidate availability.

NB: Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date and the school reserves the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will require two positive references from current and previous employers. The position is subject to an enhanced DBS and medical checks.

Equal Opportunities: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives:

• Promoting equality of opportunity
• Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage
• Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels.
• Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all.

Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme.

For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy.

How to apply: Please apply via the link.