Financial Controller in Brentford

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Financial Controller to join a prestigious group of Independent Schools based in West London. We are seeking a dynamic and commercially astute Financial Controller who will oversee finance-related duties for a division of the schools within the Group.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Manage the financial accounting for assigned schools, ensuring all fees, expenses, and transactions are recorded accurately and promptly.
• Work closely with school admission teams to raise and issue tuition fee invoices to parents according to the billing cycle.
• Prepare and process monthly direct debit collections and maintain the billing ledger, ensuring all transactions are up-to-date and reconciled.
• Communicate with current and prospective parents regarding fee payments, responding promptly to queries.
• Monitor and manage the collection of school fees, disbursements, and additional charges, using the Group's processes for debt recovery as required.
• Liaise with relevant staff to ensure accurate completion of forms to claim Early Years Funding (EYF), where applicable.
• Monitor supplier payments to ensure authenticity, accuracy, timeliness, and value for money.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, including reconciliation of control accounts, variance analysis, and budgets.
• Maintain and manage key balance sheet areas such as fixed assets, accruals, and prepayments.
• Prepare and maintain financial forecasts and support school leaders in adhering to budgets.
• Completion of month-end processes and ensure that all finance deadlines, including billing and supplier payments.
• Manage and oversee the work of the assigned finance assistant, ensuring quality and timeliness of their outputs.
• Oversee trip finances, ensuring full reconciliation of trip income and costs.
• Ensure the correct application of VAT on both income and expenditure, and complete quarterly VAT returns.
• Work with HR and payroll to ensure the accurate recording and reporting of employment costs.
• Develop, review, and implement school financial policies to maintain strong internal controls & financial practices.
• Prepare accounting records for annual audits, liaise with auditors, and assist the Director of Operations with the preparation of annual accounts and supporting schedules.
• Complete and submit various regulatory and statutory returns as required.
• Be responsible for management of year-end activities, ensuring all pupil leavers and joiners are processed correctly and that deposits are refunded appropriately.
• Assist with ad-hoc financial projects and initiatives to support the Directors and other stakeholders in the Group.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience of working in a finance or accountancy environment - ideally within Education sector - Private, Independent.
• Experience of Purchase Ledger, Nominal Ledger, Sales Ledger, Bank Reconciliations, and Payment Portals.
• Experienced in the production of financial statements, cash flow forecasts, and management accounts.
• Experience of managing and training a finance team.
• Experience of using a Finance system like SAGE 200, advanced PC skills, especially Excel.
• Experience of building strong effective relationships with various stakeholders.
• Excellent communication (written and oral), presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible in their approach and willing to get “hands-on” to ensure jobs get done for the good of the schools.