Trust Finance Manager

CONTRACT TERM: Achieve and Learn Trust are seeking to appoint an experienced and Permanent, term-time plus 4 weeks (42 highly motivated Trust Finance Manager responsible for delivering an weeks in total) Flexible, hybrid working effective, compliant and consistently high-quality financial available. management and reporting service for the Trust. This will be achieved through the implementation of robust, measurable HOURS: systems and processes which maximise the use of resources and 36.25 hours per week (08:00 - 16:00) deliver best value. Part-time hours of 30 hours or more Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, the successful candidate will considered. be an integral part of the team, working in collaboration with staff, If you would like to apply to be part of our

• Experience of financial management - preparation of
Trust at this exciting time, please visit monthly accounts, budget analysis with the ability to the 'Careers in our Trust' page on our provide financial guidance to senior leaders within the Trust website (Achieve and Learn Trust - schools. Careers in our Trust) where you will find an application form
• Experience of financial accounting - monthly
and more information on the schools reconciliations, payroll checks, managing financial policies, within our Trust. systems and procedures. Please send your completed application form to:
• Hold a finance qualification relevant to the role.
recruitment@achieveandlearntrust.com The ability to inspire confidence and think creatively.
• CLOSING DATE:
• A commitment to always place our students at the centre of
Thursday 10 September 2026 (midday) all decision making.,
• Provide financial leadership and professional financial management for the schools in the
Trust, including that of its extended facilities in accordance with the Academy Trust Handbook
• Administer payroll and pension-related functions
• Deliver comprehensive financial planning, ensure robust financial systems and controls to
safeguard finances and ensure efficiency and value for money
• Assisting the headteacher and senior leadership team (SLT) in formulating aims and
objectives of the school and in establishing the policies, systems and procedures through which they shall be achieved, including development of resource plans as required
• The line management of the central finance team including their induction, training and
appraisal
• Ensure the impact of financial strategy and management directly impacts on educational
outcomes for students. Areas of responsibility and key tasks: Finance and accounting:
• In consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, prepare the school's annual budget and
review and update as necessary.
• Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with internal
and external parties.
• Advise senior management and other stakeholders on the financial implications of
government and local authority policies and provide appropriate guidance on financial governance.
• Monitor income and expenditure in relation to the schools' budgets and produce monthly
management reports for headteacher and trustees.
• Provide budget holders with advice on matters relating to their budgets.
• Keep all school accounts and prepare income and expenditure reports in accordance with
the DfE financial regulations and liaise with the school's auditors and support them with the preparation of the accounts.
• Co-ordinate all the annual external audit (interim and final) and internal audit liaising with all
parties involved, and preparing papers and workings
• Maintain and oversee all bank accounts including the school's charge card(s), completing
monthly reconciliations and reporting banking errors to the Chief Finance Officer.
• Ensure that the Trust's financial procedures manual is reviewed and updated as necessary
and that the school resource management self-assessment tool is maintained as per DFE requirements.
• Ensure accurate VAT accounting and payment, and that VAT reclaim returns are submitted
as required.
• Be responsible for cash flow projections and all elements of cash handling including
collections and disbursements, banking and security, fundraising and school trips.
• Maintain an effective payroll system and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation
ensuring all forms including timesheets, new starter/leaver/variation forms and annual returns are submitted within required deadlines.
• Monitor the payment of salaries by the school's payroll provider, liaising with the provider as
required.
• Be responsible for overseeing the placement of orders ensuring colleagues follow the
required processes and are processed through the school's computerised finance accounting package.
• In conjunction with the nominated staff members, scrutinise and attend to the payment of
all invoices and statements of account.
• Be responsible for the issue of school invoices following up their prompt payment.
• Carry out and keep analyses of costs and other statistical information.
• Contribute to the review of financial systems and processes; playing a key role in the
planning and implementation of any new or revised systems/processes
• Be conversant with the general principle of taxation applicable to the school and the
financial implications of charitable status.
• Co-ordinate and maintain a list of approved contractors and suppliers to ensure best value.
• Support the Business Manager with the review and monitoring of all contracts, leases and
relationships with external contractors.
• In conjunction with the Business Manager, monitor expenditure on capital projects such as
any Condition Improvement Funds.
• Maximise investment returns and income generation; supporting bids, sales, sponsorship
and fundraising as appropriate.
• Be responsible for the schools' asset registers ensuring that it they are maintained and
regularly updated.
• Ensure that all necessary returns, reports and documentation are completed accurately
within time constraints including claims, bids, reports to trustees and statistical returns (internal and external).
• Advise the trust board and its committees as required.
Personnel:
• Oversee arrangements for the induction and training of all new staff within the finance team.
• Be responsible for identifying training needs and the ongoing professional development for
all staff.
• Complete performance management for all staff within area of responsibility.
• Oversee the effective deployment and management of all staff within the finance team
• Play an active role in the recruitment of staff in accordance with the school's procedures.
Administration:
• Ensure that all administrative duties, checks, documentation, reports and returns (internal
and external) are completed accurately and submitted within required deadlines.
• Collate information, statistics and prepare reports as required by the Chief Finance Officer,
headteacher and trustees.
• Undertake responsibility for all necessary administration relating to finance processes and
procedures.
• Ensure that all manual and computerised records and filing systems are maintained as
required.
• Process, input, extract and analyse information from the school's system(s).
• Deal with correspondence promptly and as required.
Other Duties and Responsibilities All Trust staff are expected to:
• Take appropriate responsibility and action for safeguarding.
• Be prepared to provide additional support to the central Trust team and schools of the Trust
as required.
• Support the vision and values of the Trust and demonstrate a collaborative team working
approach to school and trust improvement.
• Promote and act in accordance with the Trust's Staff Code of Conduct and all key policies.
• Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and
positive, courteous relations with students, parents/carers, colleagues and visitors.
• Work within the Trust's Equality Objectives to promote equity amongst students and staff,
both current and prospective.
• Work within the Trust's Health and Safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for
staff, students and visitors to our schools.
• Attend Trust and school events as required and make a positive contribution during such
events.
• Participate in training and learning activities and performance development as required.
• Be proactive in seeking appropriate advice and guidance where required.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grading of the post as directed by the
Chief Executive Officer. Review:
• This job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition. It will be reviewed as and
when deemed appropriate in line with the needs of Achieve and Learn Trust. It may be subject to change or modification at any time following consultation.

The role demands strong organisational and people management LOCATION: skills and an ability to prioritise workloads. The successful candidate Trust Hub at Altrincham College, Trafford must have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, as well as LA, South Manchester (with travel to the ability to maintain a sense of calm in a busy school environment. member schools); hybrid considered. We are looking for someone with: START DATE:
• Management and leadership experience, preferably within
ASAP an education or local authority setting., NVQ level 5 in Finance/Business/Administration or relevant Degree A/C/I DesirableRelevant Finance qualification and /or finance experience in an organisation A/C/I Desirableof a similar size and setting.2. ExperienceHigh level experience of implementing and using a range of software A/I Essentialpackages for financial administration e.g. Word and ExcelExperience of using complex database programmes A/I EssentialExperience of maximising the use of and implementing computerised A/ I Essentialfinancial systems3. KnowledgeKnowledge of a range of complex office and/or financial procedures A/I EssentialKnowledge of developing, implementing and maintaining administrative A/I Desirableand/or financial processesUnderstanding of a range of financial processes within a school or similar A/I Essentialenvironment4. Skills & AbilitiesHigh level of interpersonal and communication skills A/I EssentialAbility to use initiative to respond to and resolve long term problems A/I EssentialAbility to work under pressure and to set deadlines A/I EssentialAbility to develop and implement procedures and policies A/I EssentialAbility to manage own workload and direct and manage the workload of A/I EssentialothersAbility to motivate and develop staff A/I EssentialAbility to constantly improve own practice/knowledge through self- A/I Essentialevaluation and learning from others A/I EssentialAbility to work under supervision and as a team memberFull understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality in both written and A/I Essentialverbal communicationsFlexibility to adapt to changing workload demands and new schoolchallenges5. Attitude and ApproachSmart, professional appearance. I EssentialBoundless energy and vision; resilience and 'can do' approach. A/I EssentialPositive and proactive approach to continuous improvement. A/I EssentialA willingness to undertake additional training, keep up to date with A/I Essentialdevelopments and changes in good practice.

The Achieve and Learn Trust has recently rebranded with new leadership at all levels. We are excited about this new strategic direction and the changes made to improve educational provision even more, for all our young people. Our Vision At the heart of the Trust's vision is the belief that students deserve the best educational experience with aspirational curriculum provision and enrichment opportunities. We strive for personal and academic achievement within a safe, inclusive and enriched learning environment. We believe we are opening minds and opening doors to learning opportunities and opening up pathways to Kim Earle, CEO successful futures. Achieve and Learn Trust The Trust acknowledges that each school has its own unique culture, identity and traditions which must continue to be embraced and celebrated. However, our team of Trust schools are also fully committed to working together as they know that collaboration is key to driving school improvement and securing the best possible outcomes for all our students. Our Values We believe that the Trust's values should be clearly evident across all schools, demonstrated by students and staff alike:
• Ambition: we instil a lifelong love of learning and nurture skills and talents.
• Inclusion: we welcome and respect people from all backgrounds, valuing and celebrating diversity.
• Aspiration: we want people to be the best that they can be, and for everyone to achieve their potential.
• Community: we develop local and global citizens of the future, always committed to working in
• partnership.
• Belief: we encourage everyone to believe in themselves and their future, providing opportunities to
• excel.
Our Aims Our aim is to ensure that all schools within the Trust aspire to be strong providers who demonstrate exemplary practice through creative approaches. Our Future We have an appetite for continuous improvement and development, with an overall ambition of expanding the Trust to develop a local partnership of schools, covering both primary and secondary phases. This will enable us to foster true partnership and collaborative work that both supports and challenges member schools. Our Governance We have five members who hold the board of trustees to account for the performance of the trust. In addition to the trust board, each member school has its own local governing body.,
• An engaging, creative and welcoming The successful candidate will be expected to
environment.
• take up the appointment as soon as possible and
• Holiday entitlement of 26 days, plus Bank to abide by all Trust policies and procedures.
Holidays, increasing to 31 days after five years The Trust operates an Induction process of service.
• followed by a probationary review process
• Membership of Greater Manchester Pension (Support Staff) with which the successful
Scheme, with excellent employer candidate will be expected to comply. contributions. The post is based on 36.25 hours per week. The
• Free on-site parking. post is a salaried position and overtime is not
• On-site canteen facilities. paid unless due to exceptional circumstances.
• Staff room with free refreshments. The holiday year runs from 1 September to 31
• Employee Assistance Programme. August each year.
• Occupational Health and Counselling services The position will be based at the Trust Hub at
available.
• Altrincham College with travel to other schools
• The support of a talented, highly motivated, within the Trust.
committed and professional team of Our Trust operate a no smoking/no vaping policy colleagues.
• on all school or other sites.
• Active and supportive Trustees and Members.
• CPD opportunities for all staff.
• A great place to work!