Interim Head of Finance
2 days ago
Wakefield
Interim Multi Academy Trust Head of Finance - 4-6 months A Multi-Academy Trust is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Manager to provide critical support during a period of transition. This role will focus on strengthening financial controls, supporting audit readiness, and ensuring continuity across finance operations.Key ResponsibilitiesKnowledge Capture & Handover • Work closely with the Head of Finance to map duties, deadlines, controls, and key contacts, • Document file locations, system processes, and review points, • Develop and maintain a live handover and process logCore Finance Controls, • Oversee month-end close processes, including journals and reconciliations, • Manage bank authorisations and checks, • Ensure robust financial controls and maintain a clear audit trailAudit Readiness & Coordination, • Take ownership of the audit evidence tracker, • Allocate requests and proactively chase responses, • Review completeness and coordinate audit activity to meet timelines (including mid-October deadlines)Funding, VAT & Compliance, • Manage VAT claims, General Annual Grant (GAG) and other funding reconciliations, • Oversee payroll and pension documentation, • Ensure compliance with related-party disclosures and governance requirementsSystems & Process Transition, • Support implementation and testing of a new purchase ledger system., • Ensure new processes are thoroughly documented and understood by the wider teamTeam Coordination, • Reduce single-person dependencies by sharing knowledge across the team, • Clarify roles and responsibilities, • Produce practical process notes to support ongoing operationsCandidate Profile, • Proven experience in a Finance Manager or senior finance role within the education sector - ideally Multi Academy Trusts., • Strong understanding of financial controls, audit processes, and compliance, • Experience with systems implementation and process improvement, • Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities in an interim environment, • Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skillsWhy Apply?, • Opportunity to make an immediate impact within a growing MAT, • Key role influencing financial governance and operational stability, • Collaborative leadership team and purpose-driven environment#4803268