Associate Director of Finance in City of London

This post will lead and manage all day to day and operational aspects of QAC's Finance function, as well as deputising for the Director of Finance and Resources as required and supporting in key strategic decisions. This is a Charity Management Team post and will require you to work Charity wide and make a significant contribution to effective management of the Charity. You will lead by example within the QAC Values of Enabling, Collaboration, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Inclusion.

Enhanced Annual Leave: Annual leave of 25 Bookable Days plus 8 concessionary days at Christmas

Reporting to: Director of Finance and Resources

Responsible for:

• 1 x Payroll Officer
• 1 x Asst. Finance Manager
• 1 x Finance Officer
• 1 x Finance Apprentice

Hours: 37 hours per week / 52 weeks per year

Contract: Permanent

Note: Interviews will be held on Thursday 20th November 2025

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Finance Leadership
  • Present financial data and strategic insights to the Charity Management Team.
  • Support the development of QAC's Medium Term Financial Plan.
  • Provide financial and commercial advice to budget holders.
• Governance and Representation
  • Attend Board and Committee meetings, presenting reports and financial updates.
  • Deputise for the Director of Finance and Resources as required.
• Line Management
  • Provide an efficient, effective and responsive Finance service to QAC and QACE.
  • Lead and manage the Finance Team.
  • Provide clear direction for the Team, ensure the department as a whole performs well, implementing strategies to enhance team and individual performance.
  • Ensure key developments and information are communicated and shared within the team.
  • Support Finance staff in their personal and professional development.
  • Managing the smooth operation of QAC's Accounts Receivable, Credit Control, Accounts Payable, Payroll and Cashiering functions.
  • Provide oversight of QAC's Payroll function, pensions and associated systems; ensuring accurate processing and operation in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.
  • Managing the operation of QAC's Financial Regulations across the College.
  • Representing Finance at internal meetings, including providing reports and information.
  • Attending Board and relevant Committee meetings as required, including providing reports and information.
• Financial Accounting
  • Managing the production of QAC and QACE's statutory accounts, narratives and disclosures for Board approval, leading on relationship with external auditors.
  • Lead on production of all statutory financial returns including VAT, Corporation Tax, Office for National Statistics, Companies House and other statutory returns as required.
  • Resolving VAT queries and acting as a source of VAT advice.
  • Manage QAC's cash and bank balances, managing cash flow.
  • Income monitoring, ensuring that QAC collects all income to which it is entitled.
• Management Accounting
  • Timely, relevant and accurate reporting to Board, CMT and CMT budget holders on all aspects of financial performance (revenue, capital, cash).
  • Preparation of management accounts for QAC and QACE.
  • Preparation of cash flow forecasts.
  • Provision of monthly management account reports to relevant committees.
  • Provision of financial and commercial advice to QAC budget holders.
  • Liaison with CMT budget holders on finance-related matters.
  • Lead on preparation of detailed annual budgets in conjunction with budget holders; reporting to DOFR.
  • Supporting DOFR in developing QAC's Medium Term Financial Plan.
• General
  • Deputising for Director of Finance and Resources as required.
  • As part of QAC's process of continuous improvement; work with the Director of Finance and Resources and other senior staff to implement projects/initiatives to improve QAC's finance service.
  • Adhere to the College's Health and Safety Policy at all times, recognising responsibility for own safety and that of others.
  • Act at all times in accordance with the Staff Code of Conduct, Manager's Charter and QAC Values of Respect, Excellence, Enabling, Collaboration and Inclusion.
  • Comply with all College policies and procedures.
  • Maintain CPD and undertake appropriate training and development as required, including any mandatory and/or refresher training required for the role.
  • To undertake other duties as commensurate with the role and in agreement with DOFR.

The above list is not exhaustive, but is indicative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken. The responsibilities and duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible approach to enable the efficient and effective running of the Charity.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria

• CCAB qualified
• Ability to work effectively with senior staff within QAC (e.g. budget holders, Principal, Vice Principals + Directors) and outside (e.g. senior Local Authority Officers, Directors of external companies)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Methodical, accurate and persistent.
• Strong attention to detail
• Well organised and capable of managing and prioritising a varied and changing workload
• Ability to work collaboratively with all staff across the organisation in the interest of providing an effective service
• Evidence to support leadership of producing management accounts, preparing financial statements and managing the year-end audit.
• Practical experience of managing accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, credit control and cash management.
• Line management experience
• Relevant practical knowledge of accounting software (e.g. Sage), payroll/HR systems.
• Relevant practical experience of commercial banking software
• Excellent practical knowledge of MS Excel.
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements relating to payroll/pensions.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working within a Charity, Not for Profit or Education Sectors.
• Experience of reporting at a senior (Board/ CMT) level.

Why work at Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham

Join our team at Queen Alexandra College! Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of students with special educational needs? Do you thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment? If so, we want YOU to join our team. QAC has just gone through an exciting rebrand, dealt with a period of swift growth and academic improvement and this is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant College that is moving forward and making a real difference to the lives and futures of our students. The newly structured Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham offers you the chance to have a positive impact as you join a committed group of colleagues in ensuring that all students achieve their aims and aspirations. We are dedicated to providing exceptional education and support to students with diverse learning needs and life experiences. Our specialist setting fosters an inclusive community where every student is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. QAC offers a vibrant, varied and enriching educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are designed to meet specific needs and support levels are high.

Joining our supportive team, you will have the opportunity to:

• Work closely with students with SEN to achieve their goals
• Make a difference to the educational experience of young people
• Be a voice for students and staff in specialist education
• Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic growth, self-development and self-confidence
• Develop your own skills, aspirations and progress your career.

Our benefits include

• Access to on site car parking
• Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours)
• Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF)
• Access to Education Support
• Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff
• QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing
• BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services
• Annual Flu vaccination/voucher
• Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers
• Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off.
• Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling)
• Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities