Ivy Rock Partners
Financial Controller
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Salary: £75,000 – £80,000
Location: North Dulwich, London
Working pattern: Hybrid – 3 days per week on site
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
More details can be found here: Home | Charter Trust
About the Role
Ivy Rock Partners is working exclusively with The Charter Schools Educational Trust to recruit a Financial Controller into its finance team.
This is a broad and influential role within a growing Multi-Academy Trust, offering the opportunity to take ownership of financial control and reporting while working closely with the CFO, school leaders, and the wider finance team.
With Trust income of approximately £55m, you will play a key role in ensuring the organisation maintains strong financial management, effective controls, and high-quality reporting as it continues to develop and grow.
The role will suit someone who enjoys combining strong technical financial management with leadership and business partnering, rather than operating purely within a traditional financial accounting remit.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading the day-to-day financial control environment across the Trust
- Managing and developing members of the finance team, creating a culture of continuous improvement
- Taking ownership of the annual finance timetable and ensuring key reporting deadlines are met
- Preparing, reviewing, and delivering monthly management accounts and Trust-wide financial reporting
- Working closely with the CFO, Headteachers, and school business leaders on budgets, forecasts, and financial performance
- Supporting the development of annual and three-year revenue and capital budgets
- Ensuring robust balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls are maintained across the Trust
- Monitoring and reporting on cash flow
- Leading the external audit process and ensuring audit requests, recommendations, and actions are managed effectively
- Supporting the CFO with internal audit and the ongoing development of the Trust's control environment
- Maintaining and improving financial policies, procedures, and the Trust Financial Manual
- Ensuring compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook and wider DfE requirements
- Reviewing statutory returns and ensuring they are completed accurately and on time
- Providing clear financial insight and guidance to non-finance stakeholders across the schools
- Identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes, controls, and the overall effectiveness of the finance function
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Requirements
We are looking for someone who can bring a strong combination of financial control, management accounting, and stakeholder management experience.
You will ideally:
- Be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, or equivalent), although significant relevant experience will also be considered
- Have strong financial management, accounting, and financial control experience
- Have experience managing and developing finance teams
- Be comfortable owning month-end reporting, balance sheet control, budgeting, and forecasting
- Have experience managing external audit processes
- Be confident working with and influencing senior non-finance stakeholders
- Have a track record of improving financial processes and controls
- Be comfortable interpreting accounting standards and technical guidance
- Have strong Excel and financial systems skills
- Be able to communicate complex financial information clearly and practically
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Previous experience within a Multi-Academy Trust, school, or wider education environment would be particularly useful, as would knowledge of the Academy Trust Handbook and DfE funding, but candidates from other relevant complex organisations are also encouraged to apply.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Financial Controller, Finance Manager, or senior Management Accountant looking for a broader leadership position within a purpose-led organisation.
The Charter Schools Educational Trust places significant emphasis on collaboration, individual school autonomy, and responsible growth, with the finance team playing an important role in supporting better outcomes for pupils.
Application Deadline
Closing date: Midday, 4 September 2026
Interviews: 11, 14, and 15 September 2026
Contact
The recruitment process is being managed exclusively by Ivy Rock Partners.
For a confidential conversation about the opportunity, please contact:
Phil Southern
Director, Ivy Rock Partners
philsouthern@ivyrockpartners.com
07717 229 627
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