Financial Controller Teach First is a charity that believes education is the most powerful tool to help a child fulfil their potential. We find and train teachers to work in the schools that need them most, we equip school leaders with evidence-led training, we support local teacher training providers, and we plug education leaders into supportive professional networks. We are a community, working within the classroom and beyond, to bring an end to educational inequality. Because a child's future shouldn't depend on their postcode. The role The rundown: As Teach First’s Financial Controller, you’ll play a key role in managing, controlling and reporting on the charity’s finances. You’ll lead the team that runs the charity’s financial operations and accounting processes, and you’ll provide professional leadership and advice on all technical accounting, regulatory and statutory financial reporting matters. You’ll be responsible for the operation and development of internal financial control policies and procedures. You’ll work with the Executive Director of Finance & Performance and Head of Finance Business Partnering to ensure that financial risks are understood and appropriately managed, and provide our Trustees and senior leaders with compliant, reliable and timely financial information to enable effective running of the Charity. The detail: day-to-day work • Lead and optimise the operational finance team to ensure the smooth running of all operational financial processes (e.g. accounts payable, accounts receivable, record to report) • Overseeing, designing and establishing more effective processes, controls and policies to provide effective financial services to the charity, and robust financial controls • Acting as the key contact for external auditors and regulators, and liaising with internal auditors as required • Coordinating and overseeing the preparation of all statutory and regulatory reporting • Leading the team to deliver timely and accurate month- end and year-end close outs • Managing cash and inputting into accurate cashflow forecasting • Manage the performance and coach the development of the financial controlling team • Support the Head of Finance Systems implementing a new finance system and adapting finance processes to realise benefits from this. You’ll take ownership for: • The effectiveness of the charity’s day-to-day accounting operations and finance processes • All statutory and regulatory financial reporting and associated processes including the annual accounts, VAT returns, and other financial reporting as required • Finance & accounting processes and policies that maintain and strengthen internal financial control and efficiency • Cash and asset management, including efficient and effective banking and investment arrangements 1 More info on how the role fits in with the rest of the team and charity: You’ll report to: Executive Director of Finance & Perfor- mance This position is a level 4 role. Take a look at our role levels and where you’ll fit in. About you The Essentials: make sure you demonstrate these in your application. Even if you think you don't quite tick all the boxes we want to hear from you. • You’ll be a qualified accountant (e.g. ACMA, CIPFA, ACCA or ACA) with an up to date knowledge of accounting regulations and reporting standards, with awareness of the Charity SORP • You have experience of leading and developing a team of finance professionals through coaching and management • You’ll have experience of implementing finance process improvements, and of operating common finance processes (e.g. accounts receivable, accounts payable, record to report) • You’ll have demonstrated experience of leading an efficient and reliable finance period close process • You will have a strong understanding of finance risk management and the development and operation of finance controls and policies The nice to haves: we want to hear from you even if you can’t demonstrate these yet. We’re looking for potential, so tell us about what you can bring to the role. • You’ll have prior experience of working to reduce the duration of the finance period close process • You’ll have an understanding of government funding and working with government contracts • You’ll have an understanding of process mapping tools and associated best practice • You’ll have experience of best practice finance processes to support fundraising activity • You should have a commitment to and knowledge of advancing diversity and inclusion The main responsibilities of this role are described here. As our needs as a charity change, we may need to make reasonable changes from time to time. We succeed when we work together. Here’s who you’ll be working with regularly: • Executive Director of Finance & Performance • Head of Finance Business Partnering • Head of Finance Systems • Chair of the Finance Risk & Audit Committee • Our External Auditor More about working for us There’s lots of great stuff about working here. For full details pop over to our webpages. Our culture: We live by our principles. They underpin our culture and identity. And inform everything we do. Find our more about our cultural principles Diversity and inclusion: We want to be a place where everyone can perform, learn and contribute with the confidence to be themselves. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who are disabled; Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic; Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans including non-binary, and related communities; and candidates whose socio-economic background reflects that of the pupils we work with. We’re committed to better representing the communities we serve. Find out more about what we’re doing to improve our diversity and inclusion. This role is suitable for agile and flexible working Our agile way of working gives you flexibility. Need to start late, finish early or fancy a change of scenery? That’s fine, our Agile Working policy focuses on what you achieve, not presenteeism. If you need a set and regular working pattern to support your life have a chat with us about flexible working options. Over 100 of us already have a flexible working agreement, with more than 70 different working patterns in place. We’re ready to hear your request. Find out more via our flexible working policy on our webpages. Our benefits: Our mission is critical and the work’s important, but so’s your life. We’ve put together a benefits package that means you can live and work well. Find out more on our Working at Teach First webpages. Registered charity no 1098294 3