Finance Consultant in London

Full details of the job.

Location: Home Based

Employment Type: Permanent

About us: At SBS, we support schools and trusts across the UK with a full suite of services, including Finance, HR & Payroll, ICT, and MIS. Our teams are known for their deep sector knowledge, collaborative approach, and practical support that makes a real difference to the day-to-day running of education settings.

About the job: We're looking for a Finance Consultant to join our Finance Services team. This role is ideal for an education finance professional who is ready to broaden their experience beyond a single school or trust, work with a diverse range of customers and develop their consultancy skills within a supportive and experienced team.

Working with both maintained schools and academy customers, you'll provide financial management support across the full financial cycle, including budgeting, forecasting, month-end and year-end processes, management reporting and practical financial advice. You'll help customers make informed financial decisions, maintain strong financial controls and achieve their objectives. While this is a consultancy role, you'll also work collaboratively across Service Desk and Processing Service activities, ensuring customers receive a responsive and high-quality service.

You'll join a knowledgeable and supportive team of Finance Consultants who work closely together to share expertise, solve problems and deliver excellent outcomes for customers. Although this is a remote role, we come together once a term at our London head office to collaborate, learn from one another and strengthen team relationships.

What you'll be doing:

• Managing and supporting a portfolio of maintained schools, academies and multi-academy trusts.
• Supporting customers with budget setting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Delivering month-end and year-end finance activities, including reconciliations, journals, working papers and financial reporting.
• Producing and reviewing management reports, budget monitoring reports and financial analysis.
• Providing practical finance advice and guidance to customers.
• Building trusted relationships and acting as a key point of contact for your portfolio.
• Supporting customers in the effective use of finance and budgeting systems.
• Responding to customer queries and Service Desk tickets.
• Contributing to the Processing Service where required.
• Working with colleagues to continuously improve customer outcomes and service delivery.

About you:

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience working in a finance role within schools, academies, multi-academy trusts or the wider education sector.
• Has a good understanding of education finance, budgeting, financial reporting and financial controls.
• Has experience supporting month-end and year-end finance processes.
• Enjoys building relationships and supporting customers.
• Has strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Is confident using finance systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Can communicate financial information clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Is keen to develop their consultancy and advisory skills.
• Enjoys working as part of a collaborative team.
• Is willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS check.

What we Offer:

• 28 days holiday and get an extra day for each year you stay with us, up to max 33 days PLUS bank holidays.
• Health Cash Plan, once you’ve passed probation, which includes access to a private GP.
• From day 1, free life insurance covering up to x4 your salary.
• We'll both add money into your pension pot after 3 months.
• Choose what flexible benefits you want after you’ve passed probation – this could be buying extra holiday, dental, topping up your healthcare plan, bikes, gym membership, electric cars and give as you earn.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Volunteer days – 3 paid volunteer days a year, with 2 dedicated to Education.

By joining us, you will become part of a community that is dedicated to transforming lives and sustaining communities, where your voice is heard, your ideas are valued, and your individuality is celebrated. Together, we will continue to advance our passion for education and build brighter futures for all.

Employment offers are subject to satisfactory vetting checks. These checks will be run in line with the latest guidance and legislation. You will need to already have the right to work in the UK, as we are not able to offer any sponsorship(s) for visa applicants. This role also requires criminal records checks in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and safeguarding legislation. For roles in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, this is a DBS check or PVG Scheme in Scotland. The level of check required will determine what you need to disclose.