Job Description

Vacancy Name

Senior Finance Consultant

Vacancy Number

VN2118

Location City

City

Employment Type

Permanent

About us

Do you thrive on providing strategic financial advice that drives real impact? Are you a qualified accountant with a solid understanding of the education sector and expertise in financial systems and processes?


At

School Business Services (SBS)

, we're expanding our team of expert Finance Consultants - and we're looking for an experienced, dynamic, and collaborative

Senior Finance Consultant

to help schools and trusts make informed, effective financial decisions.

Who Are We?

SBS

are one of the UK's leading providers of support services to schools and academies, offering a comprehensive range of

Finance, ICT, MIS, HR, and Payroll

solutions. Our trusted reputation is built on sector-specific expertise, high-quality service, and a genuine passion for improving outcomes in education.

About the job

About the Role:

In this senior-level role, you'll work alongside our Finance Service Lead and a team of knowledgeable consultants to deliver

first-class financial services

to schools and multi-academy trusts. From financial planning and reporting to system optimisation and compliance support, your work will empower school leaders to navigate their financial responsibilities with confidence.


You'll combine strong technical knowledge with outstanding client-facing skills, delivering services both

remotely

and, occasionally,

on-site

.

What You'll Be Doing:

Preparing and advising on

short- to long-term financial plans.

Delivering expert guidance on

budget setting

, budget management and reforecasting. Preparing

Management Accounts

, reporting to Local Authorities and submitting statutory returns to the DfE, including Budget Forecast Returns. Assisting schools and Trusts with their

year-end processes

, including liaison with external auditors. Training Headteachers, School Business Leaders, and Trust Boards on financial systems and processes. Advising on

procurement

, contract management, and financial risk. Conducting

independent verification of private fund accounts.

Building trusted relationships with school stakeholders and SBS colleagues. Identifying new opportunities to improve financial operations within the education sector. Working with finance systems including

PS Financials, Sage, FMS, Access, Arbor Finance, and Xero

.

About you

What We're Looking For:

A

qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA).

Experience in a

senior finance role

, ideally within the education sector. Ability to apply accounting expertise in line with best practice and education sector-specific regulations, including the Academy Trust Handbook. Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to explain complex financial data clearly and confidently. Strong system knowledge and a passion for using technology to enhance processes. A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement. Willingness to undergo an

Enhanced DBS check

and have the

Right to Work in the UK.

What we Offer

What we Offer:

36 days annual leave

(28 days + 8 bank holidays), plus 1 extra day for every year of service (up to 5 additional days).

Remote-first

working model with flexibility and autonomy.

Termly in-person team meetings

for collaboration and connection. A culture of support,

learning and development

, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. A flexible

benefits package

, including:

+ Healthcare scheme.
+ Option to purchase additional annual leave.
+ Opportunities for career progression in a growing organisation.

At SBS, we believe in empowering education through expertise - and that starts with investing in the right people. If you're ready to take the next step in your finance consultancy career and make a real impact in schools and trusts across the UK, we'd love to hear from you.

Click "Apply" to send us your CV and join a team that truly makes a difference.