Job Description

Up to £28,000 (Commensurate with Experience) | Location: Burnley, Lancashire

Are you looking for a rewarding role in finance where your skills directly support young people in your local community? Do you value the great outdoors and a healthy work-life balance?

We are seeking a meticulous and proactive Finance Manager to lead the financial operations of our Alternative Provision (AP) in Burnley. This is a crucial role ensuring the financial health and compliance of a setting dedicated to supporting students who cannot access mainstream education due to medical or Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

If you are a detail-oriented professional who wants to make a genuine difference and enjoys the beautiful Lancashire landscape, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities: Local Finance, Real Impact

As our Finance Manager, you will be the cornerstone of our financial stability, working closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team.

  • Financial Management: Oversee the day-to-day management of all financial systems, including sales and purchase ledgers, income, expenditure, and bank reconciliations.

  • Budgeting & Reporting: Assist the Headteacher in the preparation of annual budgets and multi-year forecasts. Produce accurate and timely management reports for the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body, highlighting key variances and financial risks.

  • Compliance: Ensure the AP adheres strictly to all financial regulations, including those set by the Local Authority/ESFA and the Academies Financial Handbook (where applicable).

  • Procurement & Value for Money: Manage procurement processes, negotiate contracts (e.g., utilities, services), and ensure the AP achieves best value in all purchasing decisions to maximise funds for student provision.

  • Payroll & Pensions: Coordinate and oversee the monthly payroll process and manage returns relating to staff pensions (e.g., Teachers' Pension Scheme, LGPS), working with external providers.

  • Audit & Control: Prepare and coordinate all financial documentation for internal and external audits, maintaining robust and effective internal control systems.

Candidate Profile & Why Join Our Community?

We are looking for a candidate who is financially astute, highly organised, and motivated by the mission of our Alternative Provision.

  • Experience: Proven experience in a finance role (e.g., Finance Manager, Finance Officer, or Business Administrator with financial focus), preferably within a school or education setting.

  • Skills: High proficiency in accounting software (e.g., FMS, SAGE) and Microsoft Excel. Exceptional organisational and administrative skills.

  • Community Focused: A desire to work within a local Burnley AP, directly supporting vulnerable young people and contributing positively to the area.

  • Work-Life Balance: We actively encourage a healthy balance. If you enjoy the outdoors, you'll appreciate being based in Burnley, with easy access to the stunning countryside of the Pennines and the Forest of Bowland.

How to Apply

Ready to bring your financial expertise to our supportive team in Burnley?

Please click apply to view the full job specification and submit your CV and a covering letter to rachael.boaler@twrecruitment.com

Closing Date: Friday 28th November 2025 at 12pm.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Would you like me to draft a list of essential and desirable criteria for the person specification of this Finance Manager role?