Finance Business Partner

Your Role

Finance Business Partner | Manchester | Permanent

Opportunity to be part of a Finance Team in a growing Academy Trust

Grade 7 Actual Salary £33,712 - £35,406

Term Time Only Plus 2 weeks

35 hours per week

Membership of Local Government Pension Scheme, offering generous employer contributions

Manchester based, with travel across Greater Manchester to engage directly with schools and partners

Join a Trust Where People Matter

Ambition Community Trust is seeking an experienced and proactive Finance Business Partner to join our growing central team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering a high-quality finance service across our schools. Working closely with Headteachers and senior leaders, you will provide expert financial advice and practical support including budget setting, payroll and management reporting ensuring statutory compliance and value for money.

At Ambition Community Trust, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We believe schools flourish when kindness, inclusion, and collaboration are embedded in everyday practice. As a Finance Business Partner, you will help shape a positive workplace culture that reflects our values and supports excellent outcomes for children and young people.

This post is based at Castlefield Campus working alongside the Trust Central teams.

About the Role

• Partner with Headteachers and senior leaders to provide strategic financial advice and support effective budget management.
• Lead annual budget setting, financial forecasting, scenario planning, and medium-term financial planning.
• Produce and analyse monthly management accounts, financial reports, and budget monitoring information.
• Monitor financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions.
• Oversee payroll processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, reconciliations, and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Maintain strong financial controls by reviewing purchase orders, BACS payments, bank reconciliations, cash flow, and audit requirements.
• Manage funding allocations, grants, income collection, debt recovery, and liaison with local authorities on funding matters.
• Ensure accurate financial records, journals, and data are maintained while supporting improvements to finance systems and processes.
• Support, mentor, and develop finance colleagues while contributing to Trust-wide projects and continuous service improvement.
• Ensure compliance with the Trust's Financial Regulations, the Academy Trust Handbook, statutory requirements, data protection, and organisational policies.

About You

• Qualifications: AAT Level 4 (or equivalent) with GCSE English and Maths; part-qualified or qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or ACA) desirable.
• Finance Expertise: Significant experience in budgeting, management accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, payroll, and financial systems.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of financial controls, governance, forecasting, budgeting, payroll processes, and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Ability to present complex financial information clearly, build effective relationships, and influence non-financial stakeholders.
• Professional Skills: Excellent analytical, organisational, problem-solving, and time management skills, with high accuracy and attention to detail.
• Personal Attributes: Demonstrates integrity, discretion, adaptability, commitment to continuous improvement, safeguarding, and the Trust's values, with the flexibility to travel between sites.

Why Join Ambition Community Trust?

At Ambition Community Trust, we are committed to creating environments where both children and adults can thrive. Our values of compassion, collaboration, equity and excellence underpin everything we do, and we are proud to foster a supportive and inclusive culture where colleagues feel valued and empowered to succeed.

By joining our Trust, you'll become part of a strong, experienced and collaborative finance team where knowledge is shared, achievements are recognised, and colleagues support one another to deliver the best outcomes. As a growing Trust, we are committed to investing in our people, offering excellent professional development opportunities and genuine career progression as the organisation continues to expand.

We also recognise the importance of supporting our colleagues' wellbeing. Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential support, including up to 10 counselling sessions, legal and financial advice, and a range of wellbeing resources to support you both personally and professionally.

If you're looking for a role where you can make a real difference while developing your career within an ambitious and forward-thinking Trust, we'd love to hear from you.

Safeguarding Statement

Ambition Community Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory pre-employment clearances.

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be required to answer specific Safer Recruitment Questions in advance of the interview.

The closing date for applications is 31 August 2026, with interviews expected to take place during the week commencing 7 September 2026.

Please visit our website at Ambition Community Trust (ACT) - Transforming Children's Lives and their Communities. to learn more about our organisation

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer, and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Qualifications

Professional full or part accountancy qualification or willing to work towards

desirable

Level 4

Safeguarding Information

We are dedicated to fostering the well‑being of young people and vulnerable adults, ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Our commitment extends to creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone's contributions are valued. All appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references. As we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, we have the right to consider criminal history in our recruitment process to ensure the safety and welfare of the those we serve.

We also strive to promote equality and challenge discrimination, focusing on building stronger connections within our community. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, embracing the diversity that strengthens our collective well‑being.

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