School Finance Consultant

Salary: £25,000 - £40,000Hours: 37 hours per week, all year roundLocation: Client sites across Essex and surrounding areas, with some remote workingReporting to: Executive ConsultantSBM Services are part of Transforming Learning Group, a forward-thinking education technology group working with over 5,000 schools across the UK. Our mission is simple: to help schools harness technology and data to improve outcomes for every learner. Through our brands - including turn IT on, School ICT Services, SalamanderSoft and more - we deliver solutions that make schools more efficient, effective and innovative.SBM Services are looking for a confident and motivated School Finance Consultant (Senior Consultant) to join our team , supporting schools and academy trusts with high-quality accountancy, business management and audit services. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working closely with clients, building strong relationships and providing practical, hands-on financial support within the education sector.You'll work primarily on client premises across the region, with the flexibility to complete some work remotely. No two days will be the same: you'll be supporting day-to-day accounting tasks, carrying out internal audits, producing financial reports, and helping school-based staff develop their own financial skills.What you'll be doingYou'll play a key part in delivering reliable, professional support to a portfolio of school and academy trust clients. Your work will include:

• Supporting day-to-day accounting processes such as ordering, invoicing, bank reconciliations, journals and VAT returns
• Providing guidance on budget preparation, monitoring and reporting
• Assisting with statutory financial returns
• Reviewing internal control systems and recommending improvements
• Supporting medium-term financial planning
• Helping produce management accounts and assisting with year-end account closure
• Offering responsive support via phone and email to resolve financial and business queries
• Delivering internal audit services to help clients strengthen their financial processes
• Training and developing school-based staff in accounting practices

This is a varied role where you'll be trusted to deliver high-quality work, build excellent relationships and act as a valued extension of each school's team.About youWe're looking for someone who is highly organised, confident working with financial information and able to build strong, productive relationships with clients. You will bring:

• AAT qualification or equivalent (or working towards)
• Strong understanding of double-entry bookkeeping
• Experience producing management accounts
• Experience in day-to-day accounts processing and reconciliations
• Month-end and year-end experience
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office
• High levels of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• A commitment to personal development and continuous learning

Desirable

• Knowledge of the education sector
• Experience using a variety of accounting systems
• Experience reviewing internal controls and recommending improvements

How you workWe're looking for someone who brings professionalism, energy and a genuine care for the clients we support. You will:

• Work efficiently, delivering high-quality work on time
• Be flexible, adaptable and able to respond positively to change
• Bring a proactive, solution-focused approach to challenges
• Share knowledge, collaborate with colleagues and build strong client relationships
• Communicate openly, kindly and respectfully
• Demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence in your interactions

You'll be part of a team that values excellence, innovation, collaboration and care - and we're looking for someone who shares those values and is ready to contribute positively from day one.REF-