Our Client

Mackie Myers have partnered with a large and growing Multi-Academy Trust to recruit a Head of Financial Accounting into their newly restructured finance function.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation that is investing significantly in its central finance team, with a clear focus on strengthening financial controls, improving processes, and building a modern, efficient finance function. With a collaborative leadership team, a strong social purpose, and a genuine commitment to professional development, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact during a period of significant change and growth.

The Role

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance, the Head of Financial Accounting will lead a team responsible for treasury, statutory reporting, transactional finance, taxation, and financial controls across a complex multi-site organisation.

Managing a team of finance professionals and working alongside the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, you will play a key role in delivering the organisation's finance transformation agenda, embedding best practice, improving processes, and ensuring robust governance and compliance frameworks are in place.

This role would suit an experienced financial accounting leader who enjoys driving improvement, strengthening controls, developing teams, and working closely with senior stakeholders to support organisational decision making.

Main Duties

• Lead and develop the Financial Accounting function, creating a high performing and collaborative team culture
• Oversee treasury management, cashflow planning, and banking arrangements across a complex operational environment
• Take ownership of financial controls, policies, and procedures, ensuring they remain effective, compliant, and fit for purpose
• Lead the monthly close process, ensuring balance sheet integrity and timely financial reporting
• Manage the preparation and audit of statutory accounts and other external returns
• Act as the key contact for internal and external audit, ensuring recommendations are implemented and controls are continually strengthened
• Oversee VAT and taxation activities and manage relationships with external advisers
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across finance processes, systems, and ways of working, building on recent investments in finance technology and automation
• Partner with senior leaders across the organisation, providing expertise on financial governance, risk management, and compliance matters
• Deputise for the Deputy Director of Finance and contribute to wider finance leadership initiatives

The Successful Candidate

• Qualified accountant with ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or CIPFA qualifications
• Proven experience leading a financial accounting function within a large or complex organisation
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including statutory accounts preparation, audit management, and financial controls
• Experience of treasury management, cashflow oversight, and balance sheet management
• Track record of developing teams and leading through change
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to challenge, influence, and build effective relationships across an organisation
• Demonstrable experience improving finance processes and implementing best practice controls
• Experience within education, not for profit, public sector, healthcare, housing, or another similarly complex environment would be advantageous

What’s on Offer?

• Salary of £73,000 per annum
• Flexible hybrid working with typically two days per week on site and monthly attendance at the central office [Part-time and Term-Time Working Options available]
• Significant scope to shape financial processes, controls, and ways of working
• Supportive and experienced senior leadership team with a strong culture and clear strategic direction
• Excellent pension provision and wider benefits package.

  
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and better decision making. We are committed to creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive and feel valued.
We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities and are dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment processes.