Finance Manager

Finance Manager

Are you an experienced finance professional looking for a varied and responsible role within a busy and successful school? Would you like to use your financial expertise to help support ambitious Sixth Form students in a creative and professional environment?

Hurtwood House is looking for an organised, accurate and approachable Finance Manager to join our Finance Team.

Working closely with the Bursar, you will be responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the School’s financial operations. This will include maintaining accurate accounting records, managing supplier payments and bank reconciliations, supporting student accounts and fee billing, preparing management accounts and cash-flow forecasts, and ensuring that statutory financial obligations are completed accurately and on time.

You will work collaboratively with the Bursar, Bursar’s Assistant, Finance Assistants and Compliance Manager to provide an efficient, responsive and well-controlled financial service. The role will also involve preparing VAT returns, supporting payroll administration, assisting with audit and year-end processes, and managing the financial arrangements for School trips, outings and activities.

We are looking for someone with:

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant professional experience, with GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in English and Maths at grade 4/C or above
• A relevant finance or accounting qualification, or substantial equivalent experience
• Significant experience in a finance, accounts, bookkeeping or accounting role
• Strong knowledge of day-to-day financial processes, including invoicing, payments, reconciliations, VAT and financial reporting
• Excellent numeracy, attention to detail, organisation and IT skills, particularly Excel
• Clear communication skills, integrity and a professional, collaborative approach to working with parents, colleagues, suppliers and advisers.

AAT Level 4, or part or full qualification in ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA or an equivalent professional qualification would be an advantage, as would experience in a school or educational setting and familiarity with Xero, Bankline, payroll, audit preparation, fee billing or student accounts.

Hurtwood House is one of England’s most exciting and successful schools, specialising exclusively in the Sixth Form. We are known for our strong academic outcomes, excellent pastoral care and creative, professional culture. Staff and students work in partnership to achieve ambitious academic and personal goals.

Hours: Monday to Friday, normally 8.30am to 5.00pm. Some flexibility outside normal working hours will be required on occasion.

Contract: Permanent, full-time and full-year. Holiday entitlement is 30 days’ annual leave, including bank holidays falling outside term time.

Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum, depending on experience.

In addition, Hurtwood House offers staff benefits, including: company pension scheme, meals on duty during term time, health & wellbeing programme (EAP) and onsite parking.

Please send completed application form to: 

Cathy Ellis, Bursar at cathy.ellis@hurtwood.net, or by post to Hurtwood House School, Holmbury St Mary, Surrey, RH5 6NU.

If you would like to arrange an informal conversation about the role, please email cathy.ellis@hurtwood.net.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.