Here at Willow Tree Academy, our motto is ‘Engaging Hearts and Minds in the Love of Learning’. As a small Academy Trust comprising four primary schools, we are committed to providing a safe, vibrant, and inspiring environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to achieve their very best.

Our schools are highly successful, offering pupils a rich and engaging primary experience that nurtures both academic achievement and personal growth. Restorative Practice is central to our ethos and guides how we build relationships, resolve challenges, and foster a caring and considerate community.

As part of this vision, the Trust Finance Manager plays a key role in ensuring our financial resources are managed responsibly and effectively to support the high-quality education and creative curriculum we provide. Responsible and thoughtful financial management underpins everything we do, enabling our schools to continue offering exceptional opportunities that inspire both hearts and minds.

The Role. 

The candidate must be able to rise to the technical financial challenges, as well as being able to communicate effectively with Senior Leaders and Finance Business colleagues enabling the best possible outcome for children. Maintaining the financial accounting systems across the MAT, ensuring compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook and other key financial guidance and legislative requirements. 

Preparing year end working papers/schedules liaising with external auditors and completing year end accounts including relevant notes using DAPA software. 

Skilled in effective oral and written communication, the ability to form effective professional relationships including team working, and have good organisational and time management skills. You will possess at least Qualified Accountant status CCAB qualification. 

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic individual to join our trust. Working closely alongside the current CEO & CFO/COO, the successful candidate will play a key role in contributing to the vision, values and strategic development of the trust.

We require someone who will be responsible for producing timely and accurate financial information using the Trusts financial and accounting systems and processes, to the standards required by the Trust, the ESFA, Audit Commission and the accountancy profession. The role will also work closely with the Trust HR and Payroll Team ensuring accurate returns and reporting is completed.

Preparing year end working papers/schedules liaising with external auditors and completing year end accounts including relevant notes using DAPA software. 

Skilled in effective oral and written communication, the ability to form effective professional relationships including team working, and have good organisational and time management skills. 

You will possess at least Qualified Accountant status CCAB qualification or equivalent.

What’s in it for you? 

We are dedicated to the development of our colleagues and committed to creating a great place to work. In order to provide the best for our pupils and families we need to find people already living our Values. In return we will offer you extensive support and CPD; the opportunity to work with other professional colleagues across the Academy Trust; a welcoming school, with friendly, enthusiastic and supportive staff team; an ambitious and dynamic Senior leadership Team; a dedicated Governing Body. 

We encourage all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Applications may be reviewed as they are received, and the position could be filled before the closing date if a suitable candidate is found.