Finance Manager, Brighton

We are looking for a QBE, part-qualified or qualified by experience finance professional who would like a diverse and challenging role. This is an exciting opportunity for a hard-working individual who is proactive, detail oriented and analytical who will be the financial heartbeat of our Brighton college.

Role description

The Finance Manager is a key member of the College management team and reports to the the UK Financial Controller for all finance related aspect with a dotted line for operational reasons to the colleges Principal.

Managing one finance assistant, the Finance Manager will be responsible for management accounts, liaising with the auditors, budgeting, budget monitoring, credit control and other associated tasks within the Kings Education Group.

Working with the UK Financial controller and the Finance Managers at the other colleges within the UK Group it is important to share ideas and streamline processes so that teams at each school can assist each other rather than working in independent silos.

Duties and responsibilities

• Monthly Management Accounts (within agreed deadlines)
  • Variance analysis and commentary
  • Balance sheet control and monthly reconciliations
  • Deferred income, prepayment, accruals, payroll and depreciation journals
• Budgeting and Cashflow
  • Budget and forecast preparation and budget monitoring
  • Cashflow forecasting
  • Support Principal and budget holders in cost control and expenses planning
• Operational duties - hands on and line managing local finance team
  • Credit control of direct student debt
  • Purchase and nominal ledgers transactions
  • Monthly payroll processing and account reconciliations
  • Daily banking and bank reconciliation
  • Capex and fixed asset register
  • Agent commission processing & payment (if required)
  • Agent credit control (if required)
• Liaising auditors, bank and tax and other authorities as required
• Support with UK and Group projects
• Line management
• Ongoing review of internal controls and improvement to the financial aspects of the "Student and Agent journeys"
• Work with our student software system Class, and accounting package Exchequer (legacy) and Xero (new)
• General office administration including answering telephone calls, liaising with suppliers, emails, filing and photocopying
• Other duties as required

Person Specification

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

Professional experience

• A minimum of three years' accountancy experience in a commercial or professional work environment
• A minimum of one year's line management experience
• Intermediate/Advanced Excel, Outlook, Teams/SharePoint skills
• Experience with Xero preferred
• AAT qualified, part-qualified CIMA, ACA or ACCA, or qualified by experience
• Articulate verbal and written communication skills

Personal attributes

• A motivated self-starter with a strong work ethic, who is able to work reliably without supervision
• Critical thinker with the ability to multi-task and prioritise while staying organised
• Exceptional attention to detail and internal financial controls but also understands the "big picture"
• Respect for confidentiality, high personal standards, and common sense
• Proven people management skills and ability to motivate those being line-managed

Suitable applicants are likely to:

• Be at ease in a lively, international environment
• Have the inter-personal skills and judgement to manage people effectively
• Be comfortable in a post which calls for multi-tasking while also having the discipline to focus on deadlines when required

How to apply

We require a full CV with covering letter stating salary expectations, how your experience and qualifications match our expectations.

Please send applications to Gillian Jackson at gillian.jackson@kingseducation.com

Interviews will commence: Upon receipt and consideration of suitable candidate

Successful appointment will be dependent upon:

• Enhanced DBS check
• Confirmation of right to work in the UK
• Satisfactory references (including confirmation of no child safeguarding concerns)

Kings is an Equal Opportunities employer and we adhere to the principles of equal opportunity in all aspects of our recruitment process.