At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and support business units with insightful analysis and reporting.
- Company: Join Realise, a leading training provider dedicated to empowering learners.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and a range of health and wellbeing perks.
- Other info: Home-based role with opportunities for career development and mentoring.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while supporting growth and transformation initiatives.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Finance Manager to provide strategic financial leadership and business partnering support across multiple business units, including Early Years, Health & Social Care, Adult Skills, Business Skills and Transport. This role will work closely with Business Unit Directors, senior stakeholders and the wider finance team to drive performance, manage risk and support organisational goals.
Financial Management & Reporting
- Oversee the production of accurate and timely monthly management accounts with insightful analysis to support decision making, cost management and revenue growth.
- Monitor financial performance across business units, identifying risks, opportunities and improvement actions.
- Present financial results, analysis and insights to senior stakeholders and the CFO/CEO.
- Ensure consistent, high-quality reporting across all business units.
- Support the year-end audit process, responding to information requests accurately and within agreed timescales.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
- Lead the budgeting and reforecasting process across multiple business areas, including consolidated profit & loss, balance sheet and cashflow reporting.
- Present annual budgets and reforecasts, highlighting key opportunities, assumptions and risks.
- Perform financial modelling and scenario analysis to support business planning and decision making.
- Monitor contract performance and collaborate with operational leads to develop financial delivery profiles and re-profiles.
Strategic Leadership & Business Partnering
- Act as a trusted advisor to Business Unit Directors and senior leadership teams across assigned business units.
- Provide financial insight, challenge and support to inform strategic planning, growth initiatives and transformation programmes.
- Support the development of business cases, funding bids and financial bid profiles.
- Build strong relationships with operational leaders, central teams and the wider finance function.
Financial Controls & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure strong financial governance, internal controls and compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement in finance processes, systems and reporting capability.
- Support payroll analysis and salary monitoring against budget requirements.
- Line manage, mentor and coach the Assistant Management Accountant.
Where will I be based?
This is a home-based role, with some travel required for team meetings and company events. This will be discussed with you further in your interview.
The Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus public and bank holidays
- Purchase scheme for up to 5 additional days annual leave
- Birthday and Christmas Eve off
- Flexible working
- Health Shield scheme
- Life insurance
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Sick pay
- Bereavement leave
- Employee Assistance Programme
- £1,000 Employee referral bonus scheme
About You
- Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
- Proven experience in a Finance Manager or similar senior finance role.
- Strong commercial and strategic thinking.
- Excellent analytical, financial modelling and problem-solving skills.
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders at senior level.
- Experience partnering with leadership teams and supporting business decision making.
- Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple business units and deadlines.
- High attention to detail with a proactive, solution-focused approach.
- Strong Excel and financial systems capability.
- Line management experience.
- Experience within a training provider delivering Apprenticeships and Adult Education contracts highly advantageous.
- Understanding of apprenticeship and adult education funding rules desirable.
- Experience using Access Dimensions (Access Finance) desirable.
What Happens Next?
- The Realise Recruitment team will be in touch, regardless of the outcome.
- Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or held remotely.
- You can expect a two-stage interview process for this position, which will compromise of a one-hour formal interview, likely on Teams, where we will ask you a series of competency and behavioural questions, followed by a second stage Teams interview with a short presentation.
- As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.
About Us
- Realise helps more than 18,000 learners every year to achieve their goals. We only specialise in the areas we have in-depth expertise in, that’s early years & education, health & social care, transport, business skills, and adult skills.
- Our mission has always been clear, to deliver great training programmes.
- We promote the wellbeing of all our learners and our employees and are fully committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and fulfilling our Prevent Duty obligations.
- Please be aware that all successful applicants will undergo a DBS and online search check at the job offer stage. We request proof of qualifications and the Right to Work in the UK.
- Realise is committed to investing in the latest technology to support our learners and teams. As part of our quality assurance and training processes, we may occasionally record audio and visual content. By applying, you acknowledge and accept this as part of our working environment.
- Realise have been in business over 35 years from our humble roots in Sheffield, to over 500 employees UK-wide. We are proud of be a part of the AQA charity group.
Finance Manager employer: Realise
Realise is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, offering a flexible home-based role for the Finance Manager position. With generous benefits including 25 days of holiday, enhanced parental leave, and a supportive work culture, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. The company fosters strong relationships across business units, ensuring that team members have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions while enjoying a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the lookout for a Finance Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their financial goals, and think about how your skills can help them achieve those. Practise answering common interview questions and be ready to showcase your analytical and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to find and apply for roles that match your skills. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Realise, which is always a bonus!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in financial management and strategic leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Finance Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of financial analysis and reporting, be sure to include examples of your analytical prowess. Whether it’s through financial modelling or scenario analysis, we love to see how you’ve used data to drive decision-making.
Communicate Clearly:As a Finance Manager, you’ll need to present financial results to senior stakeholders. Use your application to demonstrate your communication skills. Keep it clear and concise, and don’t forget to show how you can influence and engage with others.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Realise
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. Prepare examples of how you've driven performance and managed risks in previous positions.
✨Master the Art of Presentation
You'll likely need to present financial results and insights to senior stakeholders. Practice presenting complex financial information clearly and concisely. Use visuals if possible, and be prepared to answer questions about your analysis and recommendations.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires strong commercial and strategic thinking. Be ready to discuss how you've contributed to strategic planning and decision-making in the past. Think of specific examples where your financial insights led to successful business outcomes.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
As a trusted advisor, building relationships is key. Prepare to discuss how you've partnered with leadership teams and influenced decisions. Highlight your communication skills and give examples of how you've navigated competing priorities across different business units.
