Job Introduction
John Spendluffe Technology College are seeking to appoint a Finance Manager (Full Time Position)
Start date: October 2026 or as soon as possible
Line managed by: School Business Manager
Grade: GLEA Grade 5 Scale Points 12-15
Salary Range: £27,254 – £30,024 per annum
Actual Starting Salary: £27,254 per annum
Full Time Working Hours: 37 per week, 52 weeks per year
Full Time: Monday to Friday ideally either 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. or 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (less 30 minutes unpaid lunch break)
Main Purpose
As Finance Manager, you will be an integral part of the team responsible for ensuring high standards of financial integrity within the academy. You will manage the monthly financial processes required of the academy, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Academy Trust Handbook, lead the financial planning and partner with the Headteacher, School Business Manager and other senior staff to ensure effective strategic decision making.
Summary of Key Duties
• Ensure timely production and issue of financial reports, budget statements and ensure all bank accounts are reconciled each month in a timely manner.
• Prepare the monthly management accounts
• Assist with the preparation of monthly financial reports, analysis and updates for the Governing Body
• Assist with preparation of the annual budget and reforecasts for approval by the Governing Body
• Take responsibility for the academy’s accounting procedures, ensuring all policies and procedures are adhered to within the academy
• Maintain finance filing systems, ensuring that records are suitable for audit purposes
• Work with the School Business Manager to ensure goods and services are processed in compliance with current and relevant procurement legislation
• Partner with the Headteacher and other senior staff to ensure effective financial management, adherence to budget and strategic decision making
• Maintain and look to enhance income generating activities
• Embrace the concepts of regularity, propriety, value for money and best standards
Audit and Compliance
• Assist the Business Manager with any preparations for audit visits and meeting with the auditor as required.
• Assist the Business Manager with the preparation of monthly management reports / accounts which are then reviewed by the Headteacher / Chair of Governors / Finance committee
Advice and Support
• Respond to telephone calls and emails into the Finance Team, escalating calls when appropriate and ensuring responses are provided in a timely and professional manner to protect the schools reputation within the wider community.
Additional Duties
• To attend meetings as required.
• Share good financial practice across the school with all staff members.
• Participate in appropriate induction programmes put in place to support new staff into school environment and when joining the finance team. In due course then supporting other new staff members who are new to a School/Academy environment.
• To be responsible for your own continuing self-development and to participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
• Participate in appraisal and the achievement of targets set which will be robust and measurable. Request adequate support to achieve these targets if this is appropriate.
• To take action to improve outcomes for young people within the school wherever possible.
• To perform any task or duty under the reasonable direction of the Business Manager, Headteacher, Chair of Governors or Senior Leadership Team.
Personal Contacts
External: Contractors, suppliers, parents, external agency professionals, other government or local authority staff, other staff from academies and schools.
Internal: Students, Staff, Academy Governors and Members, parents and any other visitors to the school.
Please note: this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the postholder will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the Headteacher or Line Manager.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
It is expected that the person appointed will have the following qualifications, experiences, knowledge/skills and personal qualities and/or special requirements for the post.
Qualifications/Training
GCSE A*-C English and Maths, or equivalent - Essential
Accountancy qualification or studying towards one
(AAT, ACCA, etc)or equivalent experience - Desirable
Willingness and ability to obtain and/or enhance qualifications
and training and development in the post - Essential
Experience
Finance – experience of working within a finance team / financial services - Essential
Administration - Essential
Knowledge / experience of the SAGE 200 finance system - Desirable
Work in schools, academies or colleges - Desirable
Skills
Ability to develop and maintain effective and efficient Finance administration
systems - Essential
Excellent written and verbal communication skills / Excellent listening skills - Essential
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including word - Essential
Excellent working knowledge of Excel - Essential
Attention to detail - Essential
Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels by telephone, face to
face and in writing - Essential
Ability to maintain confidentiality - Essential
Qualities
Ability to work with accuracy under pressure - Essential
Ability to work on own initiative and with minimum supervision - Essential
The ability to manage conflicting priorities -Essential
Suitable for work with children - Essential
Qualification Criteria
• Right to work in the UK
• Experienced part-qualified accountant or fully qualified accountancy qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Experience of running effective administrative and financial systems, ideally within a school environment
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office, PSF and SAGE 200 desirable
• Experience using financial databases and confidence and interest in learning new technologies
Personal Characteristics
• Genuine passion for and a belief in the potential of every student
• Deep commitment to JSTC’s ethos of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills and the ability to delegate and prioritise tasks appropriately
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with staff, parents, governors, community members and other stakeholders
• Works productively in a busy working environment
• Helpful, approachable and positive nature
• High standards and a keen eye for detail
• Willingness to learn and take on more responsibility over time
• Desire to further develop own skills and understanding of the school finance sector
• Exercises sound judgment, especially relating to confidentiality and discretion
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service, barred list check, references and medical checks. Pre-employment checks are in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Closing date:21/09/2026
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
The school advertising the vacancy will contact you directly regarding the outcome of your application and any interviews. When interviews are taking place schools will follow all Government and Public Health England Guidelines.
All shortlisted candidates will need to verify their eligibility to work in the UK at interview.
