Financial Accountant - Academy Finance

About the role

Financial Accountant - Academy Finance

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Part-time at 22.2 hours per week TTO+2 weeks per year

Salary: FTE £44,000 - £47,000 p.a.

Location: Hybrid working consisting of remote working, with flexibility required to work across educational settings in Hertfordshire for occasional visits to Bank House, Stevenage.

Use your financial expertise to make a difference in education

Are you a qualified accountant who enjoys turning complex financial information into clear, practical advice? Join our Academy Finance team and help schools and academy trusts build financial resilience, strengthen governance and make confident decisions for the future.

This is a varied, client-facing role for an experienced finance professional who is comfortable working strategically with trustees, accounting officers, CFOs, CEOs and senior leaders. You will combine technical expertise with sound judgement, constructive challenge and a genuine commitment to excellent outcomes for education.

 What you will do

·       Provide strategic financial planning, analysis and recovery support to academy trusts and schools.

·       Act as a trusted adviser and, where required, provide interim CFO support.

·       Mentor finance leaders and help build capability, confidence and strategic impact.

·       Lead complex accounting assignments, financial investigations and assurance reviews.

·       Support academy conversions, trust growth, mergers and organisational change.

·       Help shape new services and practical solutions in response to emerging sector needs.

 What you will bring

·       A recognised accountancy qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or ICAS.

·       Strategic financial management experience and confidence advising senior leaders or boards.

·       Experience of preparing or reviewing statutory accounts and leading complex financial projects.

·       The ability to explain complex issues clearly and provide balanced, evidence-based advice.

·       Strong relationship-building skills, professional curiosity and sound judgement.

·       An organised, flexible approach to managing competing priorities across a portfolio of clients.

 Academy trust finance, CFO, internal audit, forensic accounting, conversion or trust-growth experience would be valuable, but we welcome applicants who can demonstrate relevant transferable expertise.

 Why join HFL?

HFL Education is majority owned by Hertfordshire schools and operates with a not-for-profit ethos. Our work is focused on helping schools and trusts achieve successful long-term outcomes for children and young people. You will be part of a supportive, knowledgeable team, with opportunities to develop your expertise and influence the future of our academy finance services.

 What’s in it for you

·       A competitive salary and generous employer pension contribution.

·       28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after five years, or the equivalent arrangement for term-time colleagues.

·       Family-friendly policies and flexible, hybrid working in line with role requirements.

·       Professional development opportunities and employee discount and cashback schemes.

 Flexible working, with purposeful connection

Our working-from-anywhere approach combines remote working with time in schools, trusts and other educational settings, plus occasional visits to HFL’s Stevenage office. You will need to be able to travel between locations and have a suitable home-working environment. The ability to reach different locations by car will be essential for this role. If you drive, then a full driving licence and appropriate car insurance will be required.

 Would you like to know more information about this opportunity? If so, further information can be found in the job outline. For an informal conversation, contact Lisa Holroyd on 07774183121 or email [email protected]

Application Process:

To apply, email [email protected] with a detailed CV along with a cover letter to include responses to the following questions:

1.     Give an example of how you influenced a significant strategic financial decision at board or executive level. What was the challenge, what advice did you provide and what was the outcome?

2.     Describe how you have identified and addressed a significant financial control weakness, inconsistency or risk.

3.     Explain how you would build a trusted relationship with a newly appointed CFO and support their development and strategic impact.

4.     What do you believe academy trusts will need most from external financial advisers over the next five years, and how would you help HFL remain a trusted strategic partner?

As part of our move towards eradicating unconscious bias within the recruitment process, we will be anonymising your forms.

We would love to hear from you. Apply now and use your financial expertise to support better outcomes for schools, trusts and their pupils.

Closing Date:   Friday 30th October 

HFL is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and shortlisted candidates will be asked to share any relevant criminal history prior to interview.

The successful applicant will also be subject to enhanced DBS and barred list checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.