Finance Manager

Burgess Hill Source: WhatJobs

£50,000-55,000 per annum

Where little moments make big futures. Be part of a team that helps children discover the world around them through play, creativity, and hands-on experiences. You’ll work in a welcoming, supportive environment where your ideas are heard, your professional development is supported, and your work truly makes an impact.

We are looking for a Finance Manager to join our Support Hub team at Kiddie Capers Childcare. In this role, you'll play a pivotal role in developing and leading our finance function, partnering closely with operational leaders to ensure robust financial control, accurate reporting and informed commercial decision-making across our nurseries.

Responsibilities:

Assess, advise upon and oversee a review of our current financial set up
Oversee month-end processes, ensuring accurate and timely reporting across the business, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and key operational KPIs
Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to provide financial insight that supports occupancy, profitability and informed decision-making across the business
Lead the annual budget and rolling forecast process, monitor performance against plan and provide meaningful variance analysis to support business performance and future growth
Analyse staffing, agency, food, consumables and overhead costs, identifying trends, efficiencies and opportunities to enhance financial performance while maintaining outstanding care
Monitor occupancy, fee income and margins, providing insight and recommendations that help maximise sustainable growth across the portfolio
Ensure robust financial controls, compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements, while maintaining accurate documentation and audit readiness
Identify opportunities to strengthen financial processes, improve reporting and introduce smarter ways of working through system enhancements and automation
Build trusted partnerships across the business, supporting, coaching and developing colleagues while fostering a collaborative, high-performing finance function

Requirements:

A recognised accounting qualification (CIMA desired or equivalent ACCA etc)
Due to location, a full UK driving license and own transport is essential
Significant financial control experience within education, care, healthcare or another multi-site, operationally focused environment.
A strong understanding of financial control, P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, cost management and operational KPIs
Commercial acumen, with the ability to turn financial data into meaningful insight that supports occupancy, profitability and informed decision-making
Advanced Excel skills and experience using financial reporting systems
Excellent analytical skills, with a keen eye for detail and a passion for maintaining robust financial controls and reporting accuracy
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to present, influence and challenge constructively in a clear and concise way at all levels of the business
A proactive, solutions-focused approach, always looking for opportunities to improve processes, enhance reporting and drive operational performance
The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities while delivering high-quality work to tight deadlines
Experience with Local Authority funding would be an advantage, but not essential

Salary & Hours:

£50,000-55,000 per annum
40 hours Monday-Friday
£3,000 per annum car allowance
34 days holiday, including bank holidays plus increased holiday allowance with length of service
A dedicated “Me” Day after probation
Company sick pay
Discounts across retail, leisure and utilities
Termly Employee Appreciation Incentives
Wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme
Discounted childcare across all our sites
Development opportunities in a rapidly growing company