About Us
OMG Education is an Independent Alternative Provision School for 11–18-year-olds. It provides a nurturing, creative and trauma-informed environment for young people disengaged from mainstream education. Our provision operates across multiple school sites, and the role requires a coordinated and consistent approach to financial systems, reporting and compliance across all locations.
About the Role
The School Finance Manager is the lead operational finance post for the school and plays a key role in ensuring the smooth, compliant and efficient running of the school’s financial functions. The postholder will lead on day-to-day finance operations, budgeting support, transaction processing, invoicing, payroll and pensions liaison, financial reporting and compliance monitoring across the school’s sites.
This role supports the effective running of the school by helping to ensure that financial systems, records and processes are accurate, timely, confidential and audit-ready at all times across the organisation.
Job Description and Person Specification
Safeguarding statement
OMG Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staff must maintain an enhanced DBS check and ensure that safeguarding remains the highest priority in all aspects of the school’s work.
Main Purpose of the Role
· To coordinate and oversee the school’s day-to-day financial administration across all school sites.
· To support budget planning, monitoring and reporting so that leaders have accurate and timely financial information.
· To maintain compliance with relevant financial procedures, payroll requirements, pension administration, data protection expectations and audit requirements.
· To support leaders by providing reliable finance systems that enable the school to operate effectively across a multi-site provision.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Management and Administration
· Support the Operations Director with the preparation, monitoring and review of the annual budget.
· Process day-to-day financial transactions, including purchase orders, invoices, accounts payable, accounts receivable and reconciliations.
· Raise and monitor invoices, including Local Authority placement invoices and other income streams where applicable.
· Maintain accurate financial records and filing systems in line with internal controls, audit requirements and school procedures.
· Monitor expenditure and income across the school’s sites and highlight variances, anomalies or concerns to leaders in a timely manner.
· Prepare financial information for monthly monitoring, including management reports, cash flow updates and budget variance information.
Payroll, Pensions and Reporting
· Liaise with payroll providers to prepare and check monthly payroll data, including salary changes, contractual changes, statutory payments, deductions, PAYE, pension and national insurance information.
· Ensure payroll-related information from all school sites is submitted accurately and on time.
· Work closely with the HR Manager to ensure that payroll data relating to starters, leavers, contractual changes and absence is correctly processed and reconciled.
· Support the administration of workplace pensions and maintain accurate payroll-related records.
· Produce regular financial summaries, reports and data for senior leaders as required.
Procurement and Compliance
· Support procurement processes to ensure value for money, appropriate authorisation and accurate record keeping.
· Help ensure that finance records are accurate, current and ready for internal review, audit or inspection across all sites.
· Maintain confidentiality and ensure secure handling of financial, staff and pupil-related information in line with GDPR and school policies.
· Contribute to the development, review and implementation of finance procedures and administrative systems.
· Support compliance with relevant statutory requirements, financial procedures and Independent School Standards requirements linked to business operations.
Multi-site Working
· Promote consistency in financial systems, processes and record keeping across all school sites.
· Work closely with leaders and administrative staff across the provision to ensure coordinated financial administration.
· Travel between school sites as required to maintain oversight, consistency and effective working relationships.
· Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post as reasonably required by the school.
General Responsibilities
· To promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the school’s safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
· To work at all times in accordance with school policies, procedures and professional expectations.
· To maintain high standards of confidentiality, professionalism and integrity.
· To participate in training, supervision and professional development as required.
Person Specification
Criteria | Essential | Desirable |
Qualifications | Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in finance, accounting, business administration or a related field. | Relevant professional finance qualification or part-qualification such as AAT, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent. |
Experience | At least 3 years’ relevant experience in finance administration, accounting support or a similar finance role. Experience of budget monitoring, payroll liaison and financial record keeping. | Experience in a school, alternative provision, charity or other regulated setting. Experience of Local Authority invoicing or public sector-style financial processes. |
Knowledge | Sound understanding of finance administration, payroll processes, reconciliations, record keeping and confidentiality requirements. Good understanding of financial controls and audit readiness. | Knowledge of Independent School Standards, education funding processes and financial procedures within a school environment. |
Skills | Strong numeracy and attention to detail. Strong administrative and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities accurately. Good Excel and IT skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records and produce reports. Strong communication skills and the ability to handle sensitive information professionally. Ability to work effectively across multiple school sites and maintain consistent systems and standards. | Experience using finance software, school MIS or accounting systems such as Arbor, Xero, Sage or similar platforms. |
Personal qualities | Trustworthy, discreet and able to maintain confidentiality. Able to work independently and use initiative. Calm, reliable and solution-focused. Commitment to safeguarding, equality and the values of the school. | Flexible and adaptable approach in a developing multi-site school environment. |
Safer Recruitment and Safeguarding
OMG Education Independent School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
This post will be subject to safer recruitment procedures, including satisfactory references, enhanced DBS clearance, right-to-work checks, qualification checks and any other checks relevant to the role.
What We Offer
· Career development: Gain invaluable hands-on experience in the business and operational side of education.
· Training opportunities: Benefit from ongoing CPD to enhance your skills.
· Inclusion and impact: Make a real difference in the lives of young people who need your support the most.
OMG Education Independent School is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Applications are welcome from candidates of all backgrounds.
