Apprenticeship jobs in Manchester

Permanent Full-Time

Location: Agile - Sale, Manchester UK
Reports to: Finance Director
Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 - dependent on experience

Line management responsibilities: No

Overview

Training Qualifications UK is the fastest-growing Awarding Organisation in the UK, and a market leading End-Point Assessment Organisation. We work with over 500 schools, colleges, universities, and training providers across the world to provide qualification certificates, endorsements, and apprenticeships to over 150,000 learners.

Whats the secret to our success? Simply put, we do things differently here!

The Financial Controller is a senior technical specialist appointment created to strengthen the technical accounting, compliance, governance, and reporting capabilities of the organisation.

Reporting directly to the Finance Director, the Financial Controller takes full operational ownership of statutory reporting, tax compliance, internal and external audit management, Group reporting standards, and technical accounting policies. The Financial Controller manages and enhances the financial risks and opportunities framework supporting budgets, forecasts, and Medium-Term Financial Plans (MTFPs).

Working alongside the Finance Director and the Head of Finance & Business Improvement, the Financial Controller enforces financial governance, adopts Group standards, and conducts financial verification across core operations and merged entities.

Key Responsibilities

External & Internal Audit Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external audit teams.
• Lead audit preparation, manage fieldwork requirements, coordinate deliverables, and ensure timely completion of audit schedules.
• Track audit findings, manage action plans, and oversee implementation of internal and external audit recommendations.

Group Financial Reporting & Commentary Standards

• Own monthly preparation and submission of Board and Group financial reporting packs.
• Ensure all reporting meets quality and compliance standards required by Group.
• Establish standardised qualitative commentary frameworks ("storytelling") to bridge gaps in Group templates, reducing feedback cycles and improving financial narrative quality.

Technical Accounting, Statutory Compliance & Policy Implementation

• Lead production and filing of statutory accounts, corporate tax returns, and regulatory disclosures, which currently sits with the Finance Director and Head of Finance & Business Improvement.
• Interpret, implement, and embed new accounting standards and Group-mandated accounting policy changes across the organisation.
• Maintain alignment with UK accounting standards (UK GAAP / IFRS as applicable) and internal financial governance frameworks.

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Risk Management

• Partner with the Finance Director and Head of Finance & Business Improvement to co-create annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and Medium-Term Financial Plans (MTFPs).
• Manage & Enhance Financial Risks & Opportunities: Maintain, manage, and enhance the organisations existing Financial Risks and Opportunities register across all planning, forecasting, and MTFP cycles, transitioning the review process from quarterly to a monthly review cycle.

Post-Merger Financial Verification & Governance

• Track, audit, and verify technical financial aspects of merged entities post-completion (with live execution led by the Finance Director and Head of Finance & Business Improvement).
• Reconcile merged general ledgers, harmonise charts of accounts, verify opening balance sheets, and align financial policies to central standards.

Key Requirements

• ACA or ACCA Professional Qualifications
  
• Proven accounting experience in a similar role
  
• Strong finance technical skills including; management accounting, month-end and year-end close management, statutory accounts preparation, budgeting & forecasting, cash flow management, balance sheet reconciliations, financial planning and analysis
  
• Good knowledge of financial policy and associated compliance requirements (including taxation)
  
• Proven financial audit experience
  
• Scenario planning, risk assessment and management
  
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills
  
• Good organisation skills
  
• Attention to detail
  
• MS Office proficiency with excellent Excel skills

Here are just a few of the other important skills you will need to successfully join our team:

• Be responsible and confidential, particularly with sensitive financial information.
  
• Be well motivated.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
  
• Enthusiastic and able to work on your own initiative.
  
• Have sound IT skills to support core role functions.
  
• Excellent time management
  
• Be able to keep an eye on the bigger picture and appreciate where your role fits into the business.
  
• Be passionate about education and the opportunities that it brings.
  
• Have a willingness to learn.
  
• Be courteous.
  
• Be willing to do the right thing.

Key Benefits

• Training, Qualifications & Apprenticeships. Its what we do!
• Company sick pay upon completion of probation.
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days Bank Holiday (33 in total)
• Additional annual leave day each year, after 2 years of continuous service (up to 28 days).
• An extra day off to celebrate your birthday and the Christmas period.
• Annual Loyalty Bonus after 1 year of continuous service.
• Annual salary review.
• Bupa Private Medical Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Life insurance.
• Income Protection Insurance.
• NEST pension.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employer supported volunteering.

* We are an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Should you require any additional support during the recruitment process due to a disability, please contact us so we can assist you.*