Finance Manager

The Yehudi Menuhin School is seeking a Finance Manager to be responsible for the effective management of the school’s financial operations, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting, regulatory compliance, and efficient financial planning. The role supports the strategic objectives of the school by providing timely financial information and advice to senior leadership, governors, and budget holders.

Job Specification/Key Areas of Responsibility

Financial Management:

• Manage the day-to-day financial operations of The Yehudi Menuhin School Limited, YMS Enterprises, YMS China and the linked charity.
• Maintaining accurate accounts and financial reporting for all entities with rigorous, efficient, and timely processes, including reconciliation and in-depth understanding of all control and balance sheet accounts and processes across purchase and fees ledgers.
• Credit control and debtor management.
• Monitor income, expenditure, cash flow, and financial performance against budget.
• Ensure accurate accounting records are maintained in accordance with relevant accounting standards.

Budgeting and Financial Planning:

• Prepare, review, and analyse monthly management accounts including forecasting to year end to support strategic decision-making.
• Budget management: correspond regularly with budget-holders to ensure spending is in line with phased budget throughout the year.
• Preparation of quarterly returns for VAT group, including annual adjustments for partial exemption.
  Fee Management and Income Control:
• Managing the termly fees billing for YMS & VMS, including fees, bursaries/MDS grants, pupil recharges, reconciled to Master Pupil List.
• Maintaining the Master Pupil List, including pupil leavers and deposit returns/donations.
• Liaison with the Development Team and Hall ensuring accurate and reconciled recognition of income with systems in use in those departments.
• Supporting the Bursar in preparation of annual budgets for all entities and the annual MDS and bursary assessment process.
• Liaison with auditors for the annual audit and implementation of improvements arising from unadjusted or adjusted errors and Management Letter recommendations.

Compliance and Governance:

• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and charity requirements where applicable.
• Maintain effective financial controls and risk management procedures.
• Support external auditors and coordinate annual audits
• Prepare financial information for governors, trustees, and committees.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, and financial policies.
• Maintaining a Fixed Asset Register and reconciliation to the Fixed Assets in the accounts, including musical instruments in collaboration with the Music Department.

Payroll and Staff Costs: 

• Oversee payroll processes and ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.
• Monitor pension contributions, benefits administration, and salary-related costs.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, pension, and employment regulations.
• Reconcile payroll information within the financial system.

Leadership and Team Management

• Management and supervision of one Accounts Assistant, including providing cover in their absence.
• Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Person Specification 

Essential Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA or equivalent).
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in financial management and reporting.
• Experience of budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Experience preparing accounts for audit.
• Experience within an independent school, academy, charity, or education setting.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of school fee management systems.
• Experience working with governors, trustees, or board committees.
• Experience leading and developing staff.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Strong financial analysis and reporting skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Sound understanding of financial controls and risk management.
• Ability to interpret and present complex financial information clearly.

Personal Attributes

• Integrity and professionalism.
• Highly organised and able to meet deadlines.
• Proactive and solution-focused.
• Collaborative approach to working with staff and leadership.
• Commitment to the values and ethos of the school.

The School is registered with the DBS and successful applicants will be required to complete successfully the Disclosure Procedure at Enhanced level.  It is an offence for a person barred from working with children to apply for this post.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Our full Safeguarding/Child Protection Policy can be found here.

The Yehudi Menuhin School is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

For full details about the role, please download the Candidate Information Pack.

If you would like to apply for the role, please use the 'Apply Now' button at the top of the page and complete our application form. The deadline for applications is Friday 25 September at 12 noon. We reserve the right to appoint sooner and encourage early applications.