At a Glance
- Tasks: Become the finance lead for schools, providing insights and supporting decision-making.
- Company: Progress Education, committed to wellbeing and professional growth.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, gym discounts, wellbeing app, and financial security.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and genuine ownership of your portfolio.
- Why this job: Shape financial leadership in education and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in management accounting or finance business partnering preferred.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Join us as a Finance Business Partner: Empower Futures!
Hours of work: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm Hybrid with travel to all schools (occasionally) and head office (Switch House). Fixed Term: 12 Months.
Help shape the future of financial leadership within education. Do you want to work for a company where wellbeing is more than a word, it’s a commitment? Somewhere where the person matters as much as the professional? Well at Progress Education, that’s just the approach we take.
Our top-notch benefits go beyond the basics—enjoy access to discounted gym memberships, a free wellbeing app that is jam packed with fitness, yoga and mindfulness resources and dedicated counselling support. And because we know your passion is with pupils and not paperwork, we do everything we can to reduce the amount of surplus admin too.
Your work-life balance matters. That’s why we offer generous holidays, additional leave for foster carers and flexibility wherever possible. And why do we do this? Because when you thrive, so do our students. So we want to invest in your personal and professional growth as much as we do the young people who attend our schools.
But that’s not all, we also offer:
- Professional Development: Support for professional qualifications, in-house training, including paid qualifications. Last year we invested approx. £3.5k per colleague!
- Financial Security: Death in Service Insurance providing four times your salary.
- Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave.
- Health and Wellbeing Cashback: Access to Medicash for you and your dependants, covering the costs of eye tests, optical, dental, prescriptions, and holistic treatments up to £900 annually.
- Recognition Awards: Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Recognition Awards.
- Referral Bonus: £500 for referring top talent.
- Exclusive Discounts: MiRewards benefits platform, offering loads of discounts and rewards.
- Weekly drop ins with Senior Leaders: Connect, clarify and communicate with weekly drop-ins with our Managing Director and organisation SLT.
- Group Connection: Annual Group conference and a comprehensive benefits review.
At Progress Schools, finance is about far more than producing reports. We believe financial insight should empower our school leaders to make informed decisions that maximise resources and improve outcomes for young people.
We're creating a brand-new Finance Business Partner role to strengthen the connection between Finance and Operations—and we're looking for someone who wants to help shape it. If you're naturally curious, enjoy understanding the story behind the numbers and want to influence real operational decisions, we'd love to hear from you.
About the Role: As Finance Business Partner, you'll become the dedicated finance lead for a portfolio of schools, working closely with Headteachers and operational leaders to understand financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and provide meaningful commercial insight. You'll review management accounts, investigate variances, support budgeting and forecasting, and help school leaders understand how financial decisions impact operational performance. Rather than simply reporting the numbers, you'll help explain them—and work collaboratively to improve them.
What Success Looks Like: After six months in the role, you'll know your schools inside out. You'll understand the story behind every significant variance, Headteachers will see you as their first point of contact for financial support, and you'll be confidently identifying risks, opportunities and improvements before anyone else. You'll be helping operational leaders make better decisions through insight, challenge and collaboration—not just reporting the numbers.
What You'll Bring: We're looking for someone who combines strong financial knowledge with excellent communication and relationship-building skills. You'll have experience in management accounting or finance business partnering, be comfortable analysing financial information and enjoy working collaboratively with operational colleagues. Whether you're an experienced Finance Business Partner or a Management Accountant looking to take the next step into a commercially focused role, we'd love to hear from you.
Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to build something new. You'll have genuine ownership of your portfolio, work closely with senior leaders across the organisation and play a key role in developing our Finance Business Partnering function. If you enjoy making a difference, influencing decisions and helping others succeed, this is the role for you.
What are we looking for from you?
- Academic Background: Part-qualified or qualified ACCA, CIMA or ACA (desirable).
- Experience: Experience within a management accounting or finance business partnering environment.
- Knowledge: Strong understanding of management accounts and Profit & Loss reporting.
- Promotion of Values: Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, safeguarding, wellbeing, and British values.
- Time Management: Effective time management for planning, delivery, and assessment.
How to Apply: Ready to be a part of our journey? Submit your application by clicking APPLY. If you have any further queries, then please get in touch with our friendly recruitment team by emailing recruitment@theprogress-group.co.uk.
Let's redefine education together!
Diversity and Inclusion Statement: The Progress Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin colour, marital status, genetic information, or parental status. All employment decisions are based on merit, job requirements, and business needs.
Safeguarding Statement: We are committed to safeguarding and protecting all children and young people by implementing robust safer recruitment practices. For details of our commitment to safer recruitment please visit our website for further information.
Note: We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship for this role.
Finance Business Partner in Bootle employer: Progress Schools
At Progress Schools, we prioritise the wellbeing of our staff as much as that of our students, creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. With generous benefits including professional development opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a strong commitment to mental health support, we empower our employees to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in redefining education while enjoying a fulfilling career that values your contributions and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner in Bootle
✨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 Progress Schools.
✨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 Progress Schools 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 Finance Business Partner in Bootle
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 Progress Schools 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 Progress Schools. 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 Progress Schools confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Progress Schools
✨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 Progress Schools.
✨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 Progress Schools 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.
