At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations and ensure strong financial control in a school environment.
- Company: Established school with a commitment to excellence and community.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, potential for permanent role, and supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education by managing finances effectively.
- Qualifications: Accountancy qualification or equivalent experience, strong Excel skills, and leadership abilities.
- Other info: Full-time role during term time with opportunities for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 30 - 32 £ per hour.
Venn Group are delighted to be working with an established school to recruit a Finance Manager. This role leads the school’s financial operations, ensuring strong financial control, accurate reporting, and effective support for senior leadership.
Responsibilities
- Managing day‑to‑day financial processes and ensuring value for money
- Maintaining accurate income and expenditure records
- Monitoring budgets, identifying variances, and preparing management information
- Completing reconciliations for payroll, bank, and financial systems
- Preparing year‑end information, audit documentation, and financial returns
- Producing financial reports and commentary for senior leaders and governors
- Coordinating external audit for school fund accounts
- Supporting funding bids and identifying income‑generation opportunities
- Overseeing timely income collection and banking
- Managing finance staff, including performance and workload
- Coordinating quotes, monitoring premises‑related costings, and supporting lettings income
- Acting as the link for GDPR and data compliance
- Maintaining data protection documentation, breach logs, and asset registers
- Supporting training, audits, DPIAs, and responding to data enquiries
- Upholding confidentiality, safeguarding, equality, and health & safety expectations
Ideal candidate profile
- Hold an accountancy qualification (AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or equivalent experience
- Have strong understanding of financial standards and legislation
- Demonstrate experience producing monthly management accounts
- Be highly organised and confident managing competing deadlines
- Be skilled in Excel and financial systems
- Have experience supervising staff
- Show strong communication skills and attention to detail
- Demonstrate commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding, and equality
Job details
- Job Reference: J92887
- Length: 1‑month temp to FTC, with the potential to go permanent
- Salary: £30–£32 per hour (umbrella)
- Location: London
- Hours: Full time, 36 hours per week, on-site
- Pattern: Term‑time + 3 weeks
This vacancy will be actively shortlisted, so early applications are encouraged to avoid missing out. Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates.
School Finance Manager in Ilford employer: Venn Group
Contact Detail:
Venn Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Finance Manager in Ilford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Finance Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial knowledge and school funding processes. We recommend practising common interview questions and having examples ready that showcase your experience with budgets and financial reporting.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on schools that align with your values and expertise. Use our website to find roles that match your skills, and tailor your approach to show how you can add value to their financial operations.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you another chance to highlight why you’re the perfect fit for their finance team.
We think you need these skills to ace School Finance Manager in Ilford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your accountancy qualifications and any relevant financial management experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the School Finance Manager role. Share specific examples of how you've managed budgets or improved financial processes in the past.
Showcase Your Skills: We want to see your Excel prowess and understanding of financial standards. Mention any financial systems you’ve worked with and how you’ve used them to produce accurate reports or manage accounts effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Venn Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Venn Group
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around budgeting and reporting. Be ready to discuss how you've managed financial processes in the past and how you ensure value for money.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Finance Manager, you'll be overseeing finance staff. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams before, highlighting your communication skills and ability to handle competing deadlines.
✨Be Familiar with Compliance
Understand the importance of GDPR and data protection in a school setting. Be prepared to discuss how you've maintained compliance in previous roles and how you would uphold confidentiality and safeguarding expectations.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific financial situations or challenges. Think about past experiences where you've identified variances or prepared management information, and be ready to share those stories.