Vacancy Details

Finance Manager

Vacancy Overview

We are seeking an experienced and approachable Finance Manager to manage all aspects of the school’s financial operations. This pivotal role requires proven expertise in managing budgets, reporting, and compliance within an independent school setting, alongside the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, governors and parents.

Main Responsibilities

• Preparation of annual financial statements that are compliant with all relevant regulatory requirements. 
• Preparation of monthly payroll, including submissions to HMRC and pension providers, updating nominal and reconciling balance sheet accounts, and filing of annual returns.
• Oversee the work of the finance team, ensuring that robust procedures and protocols are adopted, updated and adhered to.
• Liaising with the appointed auditors prior to and during the annual audit in November.
• Preparing periodic accounting reports/information, including: 
  – Monthly/termly management accounts including cash flow forecasts; 
  – Regular debtor analysis to the Bursar; 
  – Bank, sales ledger and purchase ledger reconciliations; 
  – Departmental expenditure against budget.
• Ensuring all revenue is properly documented and all supplier purchases and invoices are properly controlled.
• Overseeing the preparation of the termly invoices and being responsible for the prompt collection of fees.
• Supervising supplier payments and staff expenses reimbursement, initiating BACS payments.
• Overseeing petty cash management and banking.
• Maintaining and checking the fixed asset register.
• Undertaking routing administration including: record-keeping, archive control, filing, ordering cheques and invoices.
• Assisting the Bursar in monitoring the School’s investments.
• Managing the finance system, including appropriate period-end routines and co-ordination of system updates, liaising with the IT Manager and software supplier.
• Assisting the Bursar in preparing the School’s budgets and subsequent management of those budgets to and with the budget holders.
• Liaising with parents on relevant financial matters (eg fees).
• Undertaking any other tasks which may be required from time-to-time by the Bursar. 

Professional Responsibilities  

• Exercise loyalty to the Headmaster and to the School, upholding and maintaining its traditions and ethos
• Support the Headmaster in fostering parental involvement and in keeping parents informed of school policy, the curriculum and other matters of importance in conjunction with other senior colleagues.
• Comply with all regulatory requirements.
• Comply fully with the requirements as set out in the DfE document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ and any relevant supplementary guidance.
• Comply fully with the requirements as set out in the HM Government document ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and any relevant supplementary guidance.
• Abide by the School’s current systems and structures as outlined in policy documents including the First Aid and Health, Health and Safety and Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies, and take appropriate action in accordance with all such documents as and when necessary.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with governors, colleagues, potential parents, current parents, agencies and children.
• Take responsibility for one’s own professional development, attending INSET courses and other relevant courses and conferences as required.
• Be punctual and adaptable, and dress in a smart but practical manner. 

Other general responsibilities  

• Line manage the finance team (comprising of two finance assistants)
• Develop a positive rapport with Governors, Senior Management, Staff and external contacts. 
• Attend courses and conferences as required
• Work effectively as part of the Administration team providing support where required 
• To promote and safeguard the welfare of all children and young persons for whom the post holder has responsibility and with whom the post holder comes into contact.
• To participate in the School’s staff appraisal system as appropriate. To take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
• To present the best possible image of the School in general, and, in particular, in all contact and communications with the general public, visitors, parents, pupils, customers, suppliers and all other external organisations
• To undertake training and staff development as needed and as determined by the School management.
• To undertake such other duties, commensurate with the post, which the Headmaster and Bursar may reasonably and occasionally require

School Policies and Procedures

To adhere to all School policies and procedures, especially those relating to Pupils, Health and Safety, Equality of Opportunity and Human Resources, and the Financial Regulations and Procedures.

Please note we cannot accept CVs. We only accept Blue Coat School Application forms.

Application forms, together with a supporting letter addressed to the Headmaster, Mr Noel Neeson, should be returned to recruitment@thebluecoatschool.com by 12pm on Monday 6 October 2025.

Interviews will be scheduled for shortlisted candidates on Monday 13 October 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a formal interview and to undertake an in-tray exercise. There will also be an opportunity to tour the school on the day.

Please note, we reserve the right to close posts at any time, once we have received sufficient applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment. Applications can only be accepted using the School’s application form, which will be made available with each individual job advert.

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. The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are listed within the job descriptions.

All applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including online searches, checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

All posts are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

At interview applicants must provide original documents to confirm their identity and right to work in the UK. They must also bring proof of qualifications where relevant for the post. The documentation required by applicants is listed in the Recruitment Policy which is available on the school website and from the School.

The Blue Coat School is an equal opportunities employer.