Principal Finance Officer Annual Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 Location: Slough / Windsor area Job Type: Full-time Permanent Join an established team as a Principal Finance Officer, where you will manage the technical aspects of the Trust's account closure, construct the annual budget and medium-term plan, and monitor the in-year budget. This role is crucial in collaborating with the Director of Finance and the Trust Finance team to establish and uphold a robust financial framework. Day-to-day of the role: Deliver comprehensive professional financial management services for the Trust. Prepare annual management accounts for both revenue and capital. Conduct regular monitoring of revenue and capital budgets. Provide financial information for statutory and non-statutory returns. Perform detailed analysis of income and expenditure profiles and trends to generate reliable projections. Oversee procedures necessary for the annual accounts closure. Supply information for internal and external audits as required. Maintain the Trust's financial ledger in accordance with the ESFA chart of accounts. Required Skills & Qualifications: Familiarity with Academy Accounting codes of practice, including the Academies Trust Handbook and Academies Accounting Direction. Understanding of the funding regime for academies. Proven experience in conducting complex financial calculations, such as sensitivity and variance analysis. Ability to simplify and clearly present complex financial issues. Expertise in designing intricate spreadsheets for decision-making purposes. Advanced proficiency in Excel. Strong communication skills, both oral and written, along with presentation abilities. Current experience and knowledge of using the Sage Accounting Ledger Package. Effective problem-solving skills to tackle complex issues and propose preventive solutions. Competence in planning and managing conflicting priorities, handling multiple demands, and meeting deadlines under pressure. High level of accuracy and attention to detail, while maintaining a broad perspective. To apply for the Principal Finance Officer position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this position.