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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and support educational excellence across 11 schools.
- Company: Join Bedfordshire Schools Trust, a high-performing multi-academy trust.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent contract, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth and commitment to safeguarding children's welfare.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education while leading a dynamic finance team.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with leadership experience in education.
The predicted salary is between 98040 - 117064 £ per year.
Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) is a high‑performing and growing multi‑academy trust providing exceptional education across 11 schools and five nurseries. We serve more than 8,000 children from nursery through to advanced level study and employ over 1,000 staff.
Employment Details
- Contract: Full‑time, permanent
- Salary: £98,040 – £117,064
- Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer
- Location: BEST House, Shefford, Bedfordshire
- Start date: September 2026
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of finance across the Trust, working closely with the CEO, Board of Trustees and school leaders to support the delivery of BEST’s vision and strategic priorities.
- Ensure financial planning, reporting and controls are robust, transparent and aligned to improving educational outcomes.
- Lead the central finance team and provide expert advice to academy and nursery leaders, enabling them to focus on delivering excellence in education.
- Play a key role in Trust growth, including financial due diligence for new schools joining BEST, and strengthen systems, processes and financial governance.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting, ensuring public funds are used effectively and deliver value for money.
- Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
- Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
- Significant leadership experience, ideally within the education sector.
- Strong financial acumen, strategic insight and the ability to lead complex organisations.
- Effective communication skills and ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Integrity, resilience and commitment to high standards, equality and safeguarding.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks and references, including enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
Application deadline: 9.00am Friday 15 May 2026. Interviews: Wednesday 20 May 2026.
Chief Financial Officer| Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) in England employer: The Team @ Satis Education
Contact Detail:
The Team @ Satis Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer| Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know someone at Bedfordshire Schools Trust. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching BEST's values and recent achievements. We want to see how you can align your financial expertise with their mission to provide exceptional education.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've led finance teams or improved financial processes in previous roles. We love hearing about real impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer| Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Chief Financial Officer role. Highlight your leadership experience in finance, especially within the education sector, to show us you’re the right fit for BEST.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about education and how your financial expertise can help us achieve our vision. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your financial acumen and strategic insight. Numbers speak volumes, so include metrics where possible to illustrate your impact.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Team @ Satis Education
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Chief Financial Officer, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them to drive strategic decisions in previous roles. This shows you’re not just about the numbers but also about how they impact educational outcomes.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Highlight your leadership experience, especially within the education sector. Prepare examples of how you've led teams through challenges or changes, and how your leadership has directly contributed to organisational success. This will resonate well with the Trust's focus on delivering excellence.
✨Build Relationships
Effective communication is key for this role. Think of instances where you've successfully built relationships with stakeholders at various levels. Be prepared to discuss how you can foster collaboration between the finance team and school leaders to support BEST’s vision.
✨Align with Their Values
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare. Familiarise yourself with their values and be ready to discuss how your integrity and commitment to high standards align with theirs. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation's culture.