Financial Controller

Advantage Schools is seeking an experienced and committed Financial Controller to join our hardworking and dedicated Finance Team. You will oversee and manage all financial operations across the Trust including line management of team. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the role requires a highly skilled and motivated manager with extensive experience in managing staff, financial and management reporting, and operational activities within the educational sector. This position is crucial for ensuring the financial stability, accountability, and efficiency of the Trust, in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.

You will be joining a diverse finance team made up of experienced professionals, newer team members, and colleagues progressing through their finance qualifications, all contributing to a collaborative and supportive culture.

The successful candidate will have

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualification with significant experience in a financial management role.
• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or similar role, with specific experience in financial management within a Multi-Academy Trust, educational setting, or non-profit sector.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations, accounting standards, and the funding framework for academies (including DfE requirements).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data.
• High proficiency in financial software and Excel; experience with MAT-specific financial systems (e.g., PS Financials, Sage, FMS) is an advantage.

JOB SPECIFICS

Start date: asap

Salary: AS 46-52 £58,079-£64,464 dependent on experience

Job role: Permanent, Full time, 52 weeks, 37 hours per week

Location: Trust Central Office at The Vale Academy, Dunstable LU5 4QP

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the deadline date.

Safeguarding

We believe in the safeguarding and welfare of children and expect all staff to share this view’.

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.  Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.

The Department for Education (DfE) has set out statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ for schools and colleges on safeguarding.

Safeguarding is defined in paragraph 4 as:

“Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.”

The definition of 'children' includes everyone under the age of 18.