Interim Head of Finance

A Multi-Academy Trust is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Manager to provide critical support during a period of transition. This role will focus on strengthening financial controls, supporting audit readiness, and ensuring continuity across finance operations.Key ResponsibilitiesKnowledge Capture and HandoverWork closely with the Head of Finance to map duties, deadlines, controls, and key contactsDocument file locations, system processes, and review pointsDevelop and maintain a live handover and process logCore Finance ControlsOversee month-end close processes, including journals and reconciliationsManage bank authorisations and checksEnsure robust financial controls and maintain a clear audit trailAudit Readiness and CoordinationTake ownership of the audit evidence trackerAllocate requests and proactively chase responsesReview completeness and coordinate audit activity to meet timelines (including mid-October deadlines)Funding, VAT and ComplianceManage VAT claims, General Annual Grant (GAG) and other funding reconciliationsOversee payroll and pension documentationEnsure compliance with related-party disclosures and governance requirementsSystems and Process TransitionSupport implementation and testing of a new purchase ledger system.Ensure new processes are thoroughly documented and understood by the wider teamTeam CoordinationReduce single-person dependencies by sharing knowledge across the teamClarify roles and responsibilitiesProduce practical process notes to ..... full job details .....