Allen Lane are delighted to be assisting a London-based University with the recruitment of an interim Finance Director role for this highly respected institution. This newly created role will report to the CFO and will have operational management of a team of two Finance Managers and a wider team of 5. This role will work closely with the CFO on some strategic projects such as an imminent systems implementation as well as make sure the organization meets its statutory financial and budget responsibilities. Key duties will include:

• Lead the finance and accounting strategy to optimise the company s financial performance, taking responsibility for company cash management


• Lead the annual budget-setting process, engaging colleagues and key staff to oversee and support the preparation of budgets for consideration by the COO and Director, and for approval by the Board of Trustees


• Provide a comprehensive business partnering service to budget holders across the organisation, identify opportunities to optimise financial performance, and develop financial skills and awareness of all budget holders


• Provide consistent, robust, timely, and relevant financial and management information and analysis to support the effective management of resources and decision-making


• Proactively manage cash, banking activities investments, and funding needs ensuring that the organisation s cash flow is accurately forecast and properly managed


• Ensure regular review of accounting/budgetary controls, to ensure increasingly effective and robust systems are in place


• Ensure that financial management infrastructure, including financial control, financial risk management, reporting, and compliance, is efficient and effective across the organisation


• Lead and manage the production of statutory accounts and reports for all Group companies and other returns required by stakeholders, funders, and others


• Ensure that statutory and regulatory financial returns are completed on time (e.g. VAT returns, Corporation Tax computations, Office for Student returns, OSCR, and statistical returns)


• Responsible for keeping current on statutory, legal, and regulatory issues in finance and administration matters, including compliance with legislation and Office for students

The ideal person for this role will be a qualified Accountant who has experience in a similar role either in a charity or another Higher education or wider educational organisation. Due to the size of the organisation you will carry out a very hands on role and although you will be involved in strategic projects this role will play a key role in the operational management of the finance team.

This role will offer hybrid working with 3 days on site in London per week.