Regional Finance Officer

Regional Finance Officer Location: Acutis Centre, Spring Gardens Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST3 2QN Salary: £33,699 - £38,220 Contract Type: Permanent, Full time, All Year Round Are you a finance professional who wants your numbers to make a difference? We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Regional Finance Officer to join our growing Finance Shared Services team. In this role, you won’t just be managing spreadsheets; you’ll be a vital business partner to our academies, providing the financial insight and operational support that directly enables improved outcomes for our pupils. The Role Reporting to the Regional Finance Manager, you will provide day-to-day financial support to a dedicated group of academies. You will ensure high standards of stewardship, helping academy leaders manage their budgets effectively while maintaining rigorous compliance with the Academies Trust Handbook and ESFA requirements. Your Key Responsibilities Operational Business Partnering: Act as the "go-to" finance contact for academy staff, resolving queries and building strong working relationships. Financial Performance: Support the month-end process, prepare accruals and prepayments, and manage the monthly payroll journal and reconciliations (using IMP software). Budgeting & Forecasting: Assist in the preparation of robust financial forecasts and annual budgets. Value for Money: Support benchmarking, spend reviews, and procurement activities to ensure every penny is spent where it matters most—the classroom. Continuous Improvement: Play a key part in our shared services mobilisation, helping to standardise processes and improve efficiency across the Trust. About You You are a collaborative professional who balances technical accuracy with a solution-focused approach. To thrive in this role, you should demonstrate: Integrity & Professionalism: High standards of financial governance and a commitment to the Trust’s mission. Technical Proficiency: Experience with month-end activities, reconciliations, and financial reporting. Adaptability: A willingness to learn, adapt to new systems, and support academies through change. Communication Skills: The ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders. Why Join Us? This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your career within a large, forward-thinking Trust. You will benefit from a collaborative team environment, professional development opportunities, and the knowledge that your work supports the education of the next generation. "We are looking for someone who takes ownership, values detail, and wants to be part of a team that strives for continuous improvement." Safeguarding Commitment We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and pre-employment medical cle