Job Description

As a member of the central support Finance team in our London headquarters location, we are looking for someone to work alongside the UK Managing Director for Oxford Schools.

We seek a talented, qualified and experienced Finance specialist to:

• This role works closely with the Managing Director of Schools and Colleges and the company Regional and Central finance functions.
• Lead the strategic direction of the finance function
• Ensure proper accounting and financial records and systems are maintained
• Lead the preparation of management accounts along with detailed and appropriate analysis for business performance improvement
• Ensure all statutory accounting and tax returns are produced and submitted in accordance with legislation
• Leading the preparation, validation and submitting of all required VAT returns, supporting schedules and any documentation/ responses as may be required by the local tax authorities
• Lead the treasury function and cash management to maximize the operational cash to the business
• Prepare Board papers that aid, assist and lead to efficient and effective decision making
• Work closely with the school finance teams, Europe Regional team, the Central Finance team and the Bucksmore management team
• In conjunction with the Senior Leadership Teams, produce business plans, annual budgets and quarterly re-forecasts for the schools and business
• Work with each schools admissions staff to generate pupil number forecasts to drive the revenue budget
• Ensure the schools maintain costs within agreed budget levels
• Liaise with school finance managers and the group’s leadership team on a regular basis to ensure that they are aware of their budgets and what they have spent to date
• Production of weekly and monthly cash flow forecasts to aid both the school and Nord Anglia cash management.
• Ensure that each school is able to produce timely and accurate tuition fee invoices
• Regularly review the credit control reports of each school to ensure that all debts are collected by the due date.
• Prepare long term financial planning and modelling
• Identify, recommend and execute new value-add opportunities that get the most out of the assets and enhance business operational and financial performance
• Evaluate major capital / commitment proposals for Managing Director of the Schools with a robust business case and full commercial assessment
• Work with the legal team to ensure accurate and effective input into all required contracts, teaming agreements, heads of terms and letters of intent
• Responsible for the integration of the finance and commercial aspects of a new school into the group and assist in the integration of other aspects with NAE colleagues and support

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified or equivalent – minimum of 5 years PQE
• Experience in accountancy software products, preferably Business Dynamics 365, OneStream, and also Microsoft Office applications.
• The ability to work to tight deadlines and the ability to gather, analyze, explain and consolidate data for management reporting
• Experience of developing and working with budgets and forecasts
• Experience of developing and working with cash flow management
• Demonstrable ability to engage and manage different level stakeholders and multicultural audience/s through communication and presentation skills.
• Good cross-cultural, interpersonal and communication skills to interact with diverse nationalities and cultures.
• To provide advice and financial training to all staff concerning financial matters relating to the achievement of business objectives.
• Ensure adequate controls are in place to safeguard the company assets.
• Excellent analytical skills – with the passion and drive to demonstrate and quantify success.
• Results orientated with the ability to consistently map efforts against identified KPIs.
• Excellent time management skills and flexibility in dealing with multi-functional tasks.
• You’d like to work in a purpose-led sector.