Finance Business Partner

Place Partnership is seeking a proactive and analytical Finance Business Partner to work closely with Academy Leaders and Senior Leadership Teams across our West Hub at the Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to become a trusted advisor, helping leaders make informed financial decisions that support sustainable growth, maximise resources, and improve outcomes for our young people. As a Finance Business Partner, you will work closely with Academy Leaders and Senior Leadership Teams to provide financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting support. You will deliver management accounts and financial analysis, identify risks and opportunities, develop forecasts and financial models, ensure compliance with relevant regulations, and provide clear financial insight that supports effective decision-making and long-term sustainability across the Trust. You will build strong relationships with leaders, providing financial insights, challenge, and support to ensure resources are used effectively and strategically. Working collaboratively across the Trust, you will help shape long-term financial plans, identify opportunities, manage risks, and ensure compliance with funding and regulatory requirements. This role is based in the central office in the West Hub, located in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. This is a full-time role for 37 hours per week, full year. About You We are looking for someone who can combine strong technical finance skills with excellent stakeholder management abilities. To be successful, you will have:

• An AAT Level 4 qualification or be a part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA)
• Significant experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Advanced Excel capabilities
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
• Experience producing management accounts and financial reports
• The ability to influence, challenge, and build productive working relationships
• High levels of accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail
About Place Partnership This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care and education of young people. Place Partnership represents the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. At the heart of Place Partnership is a commitment to building a culture where people feel valued, take pride in their place, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. At Place Partnership, we are dedicated to providing high-quality education which ensures that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We invest in our people through extensive professional learning and development opportunities, and we recognise that our people are our greatest strength. As such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth. Here are a few examples of employee benefits that focus on our employees' financial, physical and mental wellbeing:
• Membership to either the Teachers' Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme
• 26 days' annual leave per annum plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days plus bank holidays after 5 years' service
• Technology scheme via SmartTech
• Access to an extensive discounts platform via Accord Rewards
• Access to an industry-leading employee assistance programme
• 24/7 access to an online GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner through corporate paid healthcare cash plans
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Free annual flu jab
• Free, on-site parking at every site
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders in all our settings
• restrictions apply
For full details of our employee benefits package, please see our recruitment pack. Visits are warmly welcomed and can be arranged. For further details regarding this opportunity, an informal discussion regarding the role or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact hr@placepartnership.com. Application forms are available at https://accordmat.org/join-our-team/our-vacancies/ Completed application forms to be returned to hr@placepartnership.com Closing date: Midday on Tuesday, 1 September 2026 Interviews are expected to take place w/c 31 August 2026 Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Place Partnership reserves the right to interview sooner than the specified dates above. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged. Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, further details of which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high-quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles. Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria, without access to the personal details information.

We are looking for someone who can combine strong technical finance skills with excellent stakeholder management abilities. To be successful, you will have:
• An AAT Level 4 qualification or be a part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA)
• Significant experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Advanced Excel capabilities
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
• Experience producing management accounts and financial reports
• The ability to influence, challenge, and build productive working relationships
• High levels of accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail
  
  Place Partnership represents the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. At the heart of Place Partnership is a commitment to building a culture where people feel valued, take pride in their place, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. At Place Partnership, we are dedicated to providing high-quality education which ensures that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
  
  We invest in our people through extensive professional learning and development opportunities, and we recognise that our people are our greatest strength. As such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth. Here are a few examples of employee benefits that focus on our employees' financial, physical and mental wellbeing:
• Membership to either the Teachers' Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme
• 26 days' annual leave per annum plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days plus bank holidays after 5 years' service
• Technology scheme via SmartTech
• Access to an extensive discounts platform via Accord Rewards
• Access to an industry-leading employee assistance programme
• 24/7 access to an online GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner through corporate paid healthcare cash plans
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Free annual flu jab
• Free, on-site parking at every site
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders in all our settings
• restrictions apply
For full details of our employee benefits package, please see our recruitment pack.