Requirements
Candidates must be qualified accountants (CIMA, ACCA, AAT, or CIPFA) with significant experience in senior financial roles and managing substantial operations. Strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence at the board level are essential requirements.
Job Description
Starting Salary: £51,578.40 (FTE £64,473 per annum)
Job Type: Permanent, part-time
Working pattern: 28 hours across 4 days a week, flexible and hybrid working options are available and will be discussed.
In this role you will:
Provide strategic leadership across our Finance and Estates functions, leading and developing the team to deliver an effective, high-quality service.
Act as a trusted financial adviser to the CEO, Deputy CEO, Leadership Team and Board, providing clear insight and guidance to support strategic decision-making.
Lead the development of budgets, forecasts, management accounts, statutory accounts and financial reporting, ensuring strong financial governance and effective use of resources.
Drive the modernisation of our financial systems and processes, supporting our wider digital transformation agenda and making effective use of Sage Intacct.
Oversee key areas including cash management, audit, risk, taxation, pensions, procurement, banking and regulatory reporting, ensuring we continue to meet our financial and legislative responsibilities.
Partner with leaders across the organisation to identify commercial opportunities, maximise value for money and support sustainable organisational growth.
The full Job Description can be found by clicking here.
So, what are you waiting for?
If you like the sound of the role and the organisation, and you think the below attributes describe you well, then we would love to hear from you.
You are a qualified accountant, such as CIMA, ACCA, AAT or CIPFA, with significant experience in a senior financial role.
You have significant experience of managing budgets and substantial financial operations, alongside a strong understanding of financial governance and compliance.
You combine strong commercial acumen with the ability to think strategically and translate financial information into clear, meaningful insight for others.
You are an experienced and inspiring leader who can build trusted relationships, influence stakeholders and confidently provide constructive challenge at senior and Board level.
You are comfortable embracing technology and using financial systems to improve processes, efficiency and organisational decision-making.
If you have the following attributes, then we’d be even more impressed:
Senior financial experience gained within the charity sector.
Experience of contributing to or leading organisational change projects.
Further information
Closing date: 12 noon on 23 November, 2026
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Stacey Boardman, Head of People and Culture at Stacey.Boardman@ascentis.co.uk.
We reserve the right to close the job vacancy early if we find an appointable candidate or receive a high volume of applicants.
This job may meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for visa sponsorship.
About us
We are proud to be one of the UK’s leading educational charity groups, encompassing an awarding organisation, a provider of dyslexia intervention software. Our enthusiastic people bring genuine passion and natural energy to everything that they do and through their infectious energy they transform the lives of thousands of people each year through the power of education. It has never been a more exciting time to join Ascentis as we continue our journey of growth across the UK and overseas.
We are market leading in the education sector and the specialist areas we operate within, maintaining the #1 provision for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) in the UK as well as being a leading Access Validating Agency. We are based in Lancaster but we have a national reach, with a significant customer base in London. We have recently secured two major achievements, winning the Innovation of the Year and Awarding Organisation of the Year at the 2024 Federation of Awarding Bodies awards.
In addition to working with Colleges, Training Providers and Local Education Authorities, Ascentis also operates within the Primary and Secondary school sector in the UK and International schools, using our specialist IDL software that provides multi-sensory programmes in literacy, numeracy and phonics. Today the software is used by thousands of children across the world.
Ascentis is made up of brilliant people, unique in terms of background, personality, characteristics, experience and skill. We value our people for the differences they bring to the table and believe this diversity is powerful. As part of our commitment to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, we have zero tolerance for any form of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination or victimisation. We are an equal opportunities employer, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.
To find out what our employees have to say about working at Ascentis watch the video found here.
Benefits
25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays, birthday day off, closure days gifted during the Christmas period, increased annual leave with long service and an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme (up to a maximum of 43 days)
Competitive pension benefits, including a salary sacrifice scheme
Access to Informal Flexibility, allowing you to flex your working times and location where viable
Incremental service benefits as a family-friendly employer, including enhanced Maternity, Neonatal, Paternity, Shared Parental, Adoption Leave and Pay, Sick Pay, Life Insurance, and Paid Compassionate Leave
Access to state-of-the-art office and break facilities, such as bean-to-cup coffee machine, vending machine, pool table, Xbox, outdoor seating, dressing room (with access to hair dryers, straighteners, airers, shower facilities), Harry Potter reading room, employee library and more
Free parking, locked bike storage shed
Access to car electric charging points (charges payable by employee)
Tailored learning and development opportunities
Discounted gym membership at 3-1-5 Health Club
24-hour employee helpline and a proactive focus on wellbeing
Aviva DigiCare+ health app with access to virtual GP appointments, annual health check and more
Reward and recognition scheme, regular team building and communication activities
Do you like the sound of Ascentis, but think your skills might suit another role?
We also have other vacancies available. Take a look at our website for more! www.ascentis.co.uk/jobs