Overview
RM Recruit is partnering with a prominent Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) to recruit an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer for a period of circa 6 months. Due to a temporary leadership gap, the Trust requires an accomplished financial leader to steer the central finance function through a critical operational window up until December 2026. This role is based near Rotherham, with flexibility and remote-working options for the right candidate.
Responsibilities
- Reporting directly to the CEO and supported by a capable Finance team, lead an established central finance team.
- Immediately lead and deliver the upcoming Budget Forecast Return (BFR) and prepare the Trust for the critical August Year-End Audit.
- Balance Sheet Oversight: conduct remediation on the balance sheet, focusing on capitalisation, fixed assets, and balancing accounts that require unpicking due to the leadership transition.
- Systems Implementation & Testing: oversee the transition and integration of the Trust\'s financial systems (Access Finance and IMP Planner; actively testing and migrating to IMP Purchasing as of 1 September).
- Centralisation & Reporting: review, refine, and modernise the monthly Management Accounts (MA) process to reflect recent rapid structural changes across the MAT.
Qualifications & Experience
You will be an accomplished CFO or Senior Finance Director with proven experience within the Academy / Education sector. You will have a robust understanding of MAT accounting principles, statutory financial returns, and complex balance sheet management. Strong systems literacy is required, ideally with exposure to IMP Finance / Planner / Purchasing and Access Finance software.
You will be qualified (ACA/CIMA/ACMA/CIPFA); however, candidates who are qualified by experience / part qualified will be considered if they evidence strong sector experience.
Availability
Immediate availability to interview and start, with the ability to hit the ground running within a few weeks.
Application
If you are looking for a new challenge in a forward-thinking Academy Trust, we encourage you to apply.
RM Recruit is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and will treat all applicants equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, marital/civil partnership status, age, disability, race, religion, pregnancy, ethnic or national origin.
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