At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance functions, manage accounts, and support the finance team in a dynamic school environment.
- Company: Independent Day School in Surrey with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working, and valuable experience in the not-for-profit sector.
- Other info: Temporary role offering excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while enhancing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified or part-qualified accountant with experience in the education sector preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Leading the day-to-day finance function, producing accurate management accounts, and ensuring strict financial controls. You will provide hands‑on support to the transactional finance team, acting as an escalation point for complex queries, and spearheading year‑end procedures and audit preparation.
Client Details: Interim Financial Controller required for a Surrey based Independent Day School.
Description
- Management Reporting & Accounting
- Management Accounts: Prepare comprehensive monthly management accounts, variance analysis, and KPI reporting for the Bursar and Governors.
- Fixed Assets: Maintain and update the school's fixed asset register, calculating monthly depreciation.
- Month‑End Close: Manage the month‑end process, ensuring timely reconciliations of all balance sheet control accounts.
- Statutory Reporting: Lead the preparation of year‑end accounts and act as the primary point of contact for external auditors.
- Transactional Finance & Team Support
- Sales & Purchase Ledger Oversight: Support the experienced Purchase Ledger and Sales Ledger staff with daily operations, training, and troubleshooting.
- Payment Runs: Prepare and review BACS payment runs in collaboration with the Purchase Ledger Assistant, ensuring invoices are properly coded and approved.
- Staff & Stakeholder Queries: Deal with escalated queries from school staff, suppliers, and parents, ensuring timely and professional resolutions.
- Process Improvement: Continuously review finance processes to improve efficiency within the department.
Profile: A successful Financial Controller should have:
- Professional Qualification: Qualified or part‑qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent extensive practical experience.
- Sector Experience: Previous experience working within the education sector (ideally an independent school) is highly advantageous.
- Systems Literacy: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with accounting software (e.g., Sage 200, Xero, iSAMS).
Job Offer: Competitive daily rate of £300 to GBP £350 per day. Opportunity to work in a well‑established not‑for‑profit organisation. Collaborative and professional work environment in Cobham. Temporary role offering flexibility and valuable experience.
If you are a skilled Financial Controller looking for an exciting opportunity in the not‑for‑profit sector, apply today to take the next step in your career.
Financial Controller in Cobham employer: Michael Page Finance
As an Independent Day School located in Cobham, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and professional work environment that values the contributions of every team member. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our supportive culture and the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the not-for-profit sector, making us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Cobham
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Michael Page Finance.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Michael Page Finance might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Cobham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Michael Page Finance will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Michael Page Finance. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Michael Page Finance confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page Finance
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Michael Page Finance.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Michael Page Finance that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
