Finance Manager

Cygnus Academies Trust, Swanscombe, DA10 0BU

10 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  3 August 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  24 July 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full time equivalent salary: £47,990.00 - £53,446.00 Annually (FTE) KSI

Finance Manager job summary

About this Role

Grade: Kent Scheme - KSI
Base: Cygnus Academies Trust - Shared Services (Kent) with travel across our schools
Contract: 37 hours per week/ 52 weeks per year, fixed-term until 31st August 2027
Salary: Kent Scheme I (£47,990 to £53,446)
Closing date: Monday 3rd August at 11.59pm
Interviews: Thursday 6th August

We're looking for a highly skilled, motivated, and proactive Finance Manager to lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of our finance team. Working closely with our schools, you will play a key role in ensuring robust financial controls are maintained across the Trust, while delivering an efficient, accurate, and high-quality finance service.

Applicants will either be AAT qualified or part-qualified accountants, or be able to demonstrate significant relevant experience within a finance function, ideally gained in an educational setting. You will have strong ICT skills, including proficiency in financial management systems. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, together with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, are essential. You will also possess excellent organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively while meeting deadlines.

What makes this role exciting?

• You'll lead the day-to-day management of the finance function, ensuring the delivery of an efficient, accurate, and high-quality financial service across the Trust.
• You'll work closely with the CFOO and senior leaders, providing financial insight and support to inform strategic decision-making and ensure effective use of resources.
• You'll oversee the Trust's financial controls, processes, and reporting, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, Trust policies, and financial regulations.
• You'll support the preparation and monitoring of budgets, forecasts, management accounts, and year-end processes, helping to ensure the Trust's long-term financial sustainability.
• You'll bring expertise in financial management and continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to strengthen financial systems, streamline processes, and enhance reporting.
• You'll work collaboratively with budget holders and the wider central team to promote strong financial governance, value for money, and a culture of accountability across the Trust.

What we’re looking for:

Someone who:

• Holds an AAT qualification or part-qualified, or has significant relevant experience in a finance role, ideally within the education sector.
• Thrives in a role that balances operational finance management, strategic planning, and collaborative working.
• Has strong technical finance skills, with experience of financial systems (PS Financials would be an advantage), budgeting, financial reporting, and maintaining robust financial controls.
• Has excellent organisational and analytical skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Takes a proactive, solutions-focused approach and is committed to delivering a high quality finance service while building positive working relationships across the Trust.

If you're passionate about delivering high-quality financial services, driving continuous improvement, and supporting sound financial management across the Trust, you'll feel at home here.

For an informal discussion about the role, please do not hesitate to get in touch. To apply, click the fast apply button to complete your application form today.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, candidates may be invited to interview as applications are received; therefore, early application is strongly encouraged as the position may close early should a suitable candidate be found.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Cygnus Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Cygnus Academies Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/cygnus-academies-trust

We are a group of friendly, like-minded schools, working together in the best interest of all our children.

Driven by a desire to collaborate at every level, with an emphasis on staff development and opportunities for all.

Cygnus Academies Trust schools really are a fantastic place to work and learn. Our approach is to allow all schools to retain and celebrate their uniqueness.

While ensuring; great teaching and learning, strong leadership and management, effective local governance, curriculum expertise, visionary business and financial management.

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