Finance Manager

Maiden Erlegh Trust, Reading, RG6 7HS

6 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP

• Closing date

  19 February 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  12 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £40,778.00 - £45,091.00 Annually (Actual) 37 hours per week, all year round

Finance Manager job summary

About the Role

As Finance Manager, you will lead the day-to-day delivery of our central finance services, ensuring that financial transactions are processed accurately, efficiently and in line with Trust policies. You will oversee the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, income, reconciliations and VAT functions, while supporting month-end and year-end processes.

You will also line‑manage our Shared Services Finance Assistants, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing team, and support the ongoing development of finance systems, policies and controls across the Trust.

This role reports to the Financial Controller and works closely with finance colleagues, Trust and school leaders, external partners and other key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead central finance operations including AP, AR, journals, reconciliations and income processing.
• Support compliance with VAT, audit and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare high‑quality financial information and support month‑end and year‑end processes.
• Manage finance mailboxes and ensure prompt handling of queries.
• Oversee and develop finance systems, user access and internal controls.
• Provide system and process training to staff.
• Maintain robust bank, credit card and other reconciliations across the Trust.
• Line‑manage Shared Services Finance Assistants, ensuring effective workload management and continuous improvement.
• Drive process optimisation and identify opportunities for automation and improved reporting.
• Contribute to the development and review of finance policies and guidance.
• Support cross‑Trust work, fostering collaboration and consistent best practice.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A qualified or part‑qualified accountant (AAT/ACCA/CIMA) or has equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Experienced in hands‑on operational finance, including month‑end close and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Skilled in managing transactional finance processes.
• Highly proficient in Excel (pivot tables, lookups, SUMIFS, IF statements, data validation and reconciliation).
• Detail‑oriented, analytical and committed to high standards.
• Organised, reliable and calm under pressure.
• Proactive and solutions‑focused, with strong ownership of tasks.
• Experienced in a shared services, education, academy trust, public sector or not‑for‑profit environment (desirable).
• Able to build positive, professional relationships at all levels.

About the Trust:

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community of highly effective schools that deliver excellent education opportunities for the children and young people of the communities we serve. Through our work we will ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to deal with the demands of an ever-changing world. The Trust currently comprises 9 schools in the local area, with a variety of settings including primary, secondary, special and a PRU. As a Trust, we encourage professional development at all levels through the use of cross Trust networks to share best practice and ideas. We also actively encourage the promotion of staff to different roles within the Trust and to different settings in line with their career aspirations. Click Work @ Maiden Erlegh Trust to find out more information about why you should work for Maiden Erlegh Trust and to read testimonials from existing staff.

Benefits:

Further information about some of the staff benefits that Maiden Erlegh Trust offers its employees, can be found on our website HERE

Staff Wellbeing is very important to us. As a member of Maiden Erlegh Trust staff these are just some of the examples of how we show our appreciation to staff.

• We operate a system of ‘ME days’ allowing staff to request on additional day off per year to attend special events such as children’s sports days & graduations, family and friends' weddings.
• CPD is available for all staff at all levels.
• Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff.
• Free eye tests are provided for eligible staff.
• Breakfast and lunch provided for staff regularly, including on many INSET days and as a thank you throughout the year.

If you believe that this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and substantially contribute to an exciting future for our students, then you are encouraged to explore further by contacting recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for a more detailed discussion, if required.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and successful references.

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

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and staff. We are also committed to being ambitious for all and supporting everyone to reach their full potential. All employees of the Trust are expected to share these commitments. All posts require satisfactory employment checks and references and a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. All Leadership roles will require a Section 128 check.

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 Maiden Erlegh Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Maiden Erlegh Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/maiden-erlegh-trust

Mixed multi-academy trust serving communities across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. Primary, Secondary, Special and Alternative Provision.

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