Wokingham
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Finance Manager to join a School, playing a pivotal role in delivering effective financial management, robust reporting, and strategic financial support across the organisation. Reporting to the Bursar, this position combines hands-on operational finance responsibilities with management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and stakeholder engagement. \n You will be a key member of the finance team, ensuring the School maintains high standards of financial control, compliance, and reporting while supporting senior leaders with informed decision-making and long-term financial planning. \n Role Information: \n\n • Job Title: Finance Manager\n, • Department: Finance\n, • Location: Wokingham, Berkshire\n, • Contract Type: Permanent, 0.8 FTE\n, • Sector: Independent Education\n\n Key Responsibilities: \n Financial Management & Reporting \n\n • Lead the day-to-day financial operations of the School.\n, • Prepare monthly management accounts, financial reports and detailed variance analysis.\n, • Develop meaningful financial reporting and KPI information for the Senior Leadership Team and Governors.\n, • Produce accurate financial information to support strategic decision-making.\n\n Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Support \n\n • Support the annual budget-setting process and ongoing financial forecasting activities.\n, • Monitor departmental budgets and provide financial guidance to budget holders.\n, • Support senior leaders with financial planning and performance management.\n, • Analyse financial performance and identify opportunities for improvement.\n\n Operational Finance & Compliance \n\n • Lead fee billing and credit control processes.\n, • Manage the School's payroll function.\n, • Ensure timely completion of VAT returns and compliance with HMRC requirements.\n, • Maintain strong financial controls and ensure adherence to relevant regulations and policies.\n, • Support the preparation of year-end accounts and coordinate the annual audit process.\n\n Systems, Process Improvement & Team Leadership \n\n • Lead the continued development of finance systems and reporting capabilities.\n, • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy.\n, • Support and develop members of the finance team.\n, • Collaborate with colleagues across the School to achieve both operational and strategic objectives.\n\n Candidate Profile: \n\n • Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, AAT Level 4) or qualified by experience.\n, • Significant experience in a finance management role.\n, • Strong management accounting, budgeting and forecasting expertise.\n, • Experience producing accurate financial reports and analysing financial performance.\n, • Advanced Excel and financial systems skills.\n, • Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.\n, • Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders.\n, • Proactive, collaborative and solution-focused approach to work.\n, • Experience within an independent school, academy, charity, or wider education environment would be advantageous.\n, • Knowledge of payroll, fee billing, VAT, and education finance systems is desirable.\n\n Safeguarding \n This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to appropriate safeguarding and pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. \n This vacancy will be actively shortlisted, so early applications are encouraged to avoid missing out. \n Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates. \n