Head of Financial Control, Management Accounting and Payroll

Lion Academy Trust, Leyton, E10 6EJ

30 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  From 1st September 2026

• Closing date

  16 August 2026 at 3pm

• Date listed

  17 July 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: £68,784.00 - £72,399.00 Annually (Actual) Principal Officer 10 (PO10, Outer London, scale point 53 – 56)

Head of Financial Control, Management Accounting and Payroll job summary

At Lion Academy Trust (LAT), we take pride in providing an outstanding environment for pupils so they can succeed in their academic and general development. We are seeking a values-led, technically strong, and experienced finance professional to join our senior leadership team.

As a senior finance leader, you will be responsible for ensuring the Trust maintains a strong, reliable, and well-evidenced financial control environment, accurate management accounting, and effective payroll and pension assurance. You will turn Trust priorities into deliverable finance programmes, providing high-quality financial insight that directly supports educational outcomes across all our schools.

If you are a qualified accountant who balances a meticulous eye for numbers with a passion for public service and making a difference to pupils, we want to hear from you.

In return for joining us in this role we can offer:

• An opportunity to use your skills and knowledge to make a real difference to the pupils within

our community,

• Annual leave entitlement, from 29 days, increasing to 32 days after five years (+ 8 bank holidays)

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

• Unlimited access to CPD and career development through providers such as The National College and The Key.

• Free access to an Employee Assistance Programme providing support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - this can include physiotherapy, legal and financial specialist support, counselling and wellbeing services.

• Perks at Work exclusive rewards and discounts programme

• Cycle to work, technology and home salary sacrifice schemes

Application Closing Date: 16 August 2026

Interview dates to be arranged: Week commencing 27 August 2026, subject to candidate availability.

NB: Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date and the school reserves the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will require two positive references from current and previous employers. The position is subject to an enhanced DBS and medical checks.

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

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will receive the Safeguarding Policy that outlines the duties and responsibilities of the employer and all employees.

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 Lion Academy Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Lion Academy Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/lion-academy-trust

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for taking the time to look at roles at the Lion Academy Trust. I am extremely proud of what our teams do on a daily basis - from teaching in classes that cater for the broadest range of needs and abilities through to the support teams that make sure that everything runs smoothly and ensures that our pupils, staff and visitors experience the very best of what primary-phase education can offer.

By seeking to engage with the Trust in applying for a new role, I would encourage you to explore our websites, social media feeds and where possible, speak to our staff about working for the Lion Academy Trust. We have high standards and expectations and work hard to make sure every pupil is afforded the education they deserve - but we cherish the staff we have and work as hard to ensure that we support and develop all our teams to achieve their full potential.

You will find all the details you need in the materials provided for each role. If you are looking for an employer that will match and exceed your ambition to positively change the lives of the pupils and communities we serve, then the Lion Academy Trust may well be the employer for you.

Good luck on your journey to finding the right job and the next steps in your career.

Justin James,
Chief Executive Officer

Head office location

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