Your new company

I am partnered with an Academy Trust based in Preston, who are looking to appoint a Chief Financial Officer to join their team on a permanent and full-time basis. This role will work closely with the CEO and Board, taking a leading role in the growth of the organisation.

Your new role

As the CFO, you will oversee finance policies, procedures, systems, and operations, ensuring their proper application across various departments. You will lead strong accounting and financial control functions, ensuring compliance with regulations. Your role will involve preparing business plans, modelling scenarios, and developing financial strategies. You will oversee all financial activities, including budgets, reserves, cash, assets, and liabilities, and ensure legal compliance and protection from fraud. Additionally, you will manage risk, collaborate with key leaders, and lead the central finance team to ensure compliance with financial regulations.

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful in this role, you will need to be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or CIPFA) with extensive experience in management and financial statutory accounts preparation. You should have a strong background in financial strategy and business planning, financial modelling, and budget monitoring. Excellent people and communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to lead and develop a team. Experience in financial management of capital projects, contract tender and procurement processes, and working with internal and external auditors is also required. You will be excited to become an integral part of the growth of the Trust, and will have the commercial mindset to contribute to this.

What you'll get in return

In return for this, you will be offered a competitive salary of up to £80,000. Your benefits package will include a combined total of 33 days' holiday (including bank holidays), plus 2 additional wellbeing days per year, onsite parking and local government pension. The role is based in Preston and is mostly onsite, but with some flexibility to work hybrid. You will have the opportunity to work in a supportive and collaborative environment, with the chance to have a significant impact on the financial health and strategic direction of the organisation.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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