Head of Finance

Head of Finance / Accountant

Torrington | Part-Time

Quartz Recruitment is delighted to be working with a well-established and respected school in the Torrington area to recruit a Head of Finance / Accountant. This is a senior, strategic role offering the opportunity to make a real impact within an educational setting.

Hours: 25 hours per week Working pattern: Flexible, between 42–52 weeks per year Salary: £39,862 – £44,075 per annum, equivalent to £20.66 – £22.85 per hour Reporting to: Headteacher

The Role

The Head of Finance / Accountant will be responsible for all aspects of financial management within the school, ensuring effective financial planning, strong governance, and full regulatory compliance. Acting as the school’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this role works closely with the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body to support both strategic and operational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership, Budgeting & Resource Allocation

Develop and implement the school’s long-term financial strategy aligned with educational priorities Provide high-quality financial analysis and forecasting to support senior leadership decision-making Lead the preparation of 3–5 year financial plans and budgets Regularly review and update budget projections, including scenario modelling as required Identify and maximise opportunities for grants and additional funding Ensure financial resources are allocated effectively to support teaching, learning and operational needs Operate as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the school

Financial Management & Compliance

Oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, reporting and cash flow management Monitor monthly income and expenditure Prepare monthly management accounts in line with the Academies Financial Handbook Present financial reports to the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body as required Ensure timely and accurate completion of statutory financial returns, including Budget Forecast Returns and Teachers’ Pension Audits Complete month-end and year-end procedures, ensuring reconciliations and timely account closures Maintain compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook and all statutory financial requirements Ensure timely payment of invoices via BACS Maintain accurate accounting records, including the Fixed Asset Register and Pupil Premium expenditure Monitor and respond to updates from the DfE, HMRC and other regulatory bodies Hold responsibility for key financial policies, including Finance, Governors’ Expenses and Staff Expenses policies Line manage the School Finance Officer and Finance Assistant

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

Act as the main liaison with External Auditors, providing documentation for annual accounts and audits. Serve as the principal financial advisor to the Headteacher, Board of Governors, and Trustees. Lead the financial aspects of major projects, including capital developments and strategic investments

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a qualified or highly experienced finance professional, ideally with experience in education, public sector or a similarly regulated environment. You will be confident operating at a senior level, with strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, practical insight.

Why Apply?

Flexible part-time hours with a choice over working weeks. A senior, influential role within a supportive school environment, Opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to education through strong financial leadership

For further details or a confidential discussion, please contact Quartz Recruitment. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.