Assistant Finance Business Partner

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Finance Business Partner

Hours: Full Time, 36 Hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £39,281 – £46,446

Closing Date: Monday 27th January

Location: Hammersmith Campus (Travel between campuses required)

About Us

At West London College, we are committed to championing innovation and creativity, and we invite you to join us on this journey. We welcome applicants who can share our values of Ambition, Innovation, Accountability, Collaboration, and Inclusion. We have three college sites across West London: Ealing, Hammersmith, and Southall. By bringing your skills to the College, you will have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in our students’ education and future.

As a diverse College in the UK, we offer an exciting, innovative, and stimulating work environment with a wide variety of employment opportunities and a culture focused on Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement.

For further information about the College, please visit our website.

About The Role

Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Assistant Finance Business Partner to join our dynamic Finance team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the Finance Business Partner to drive business performance and deliver the best outcomes for the College.

As the Assistant Finance Business Partner, you will assist in providing expert financial support across the College, ensuring the effective management of budgets, financial reporting, and fostering value for money in all activities.

Key Responsibilities

Budgets & Financial Planning: Assist in the preparation of the College’s annual revenue and capital budgets, and support the Finance Business Partner with monthly management accounts and cost centre monitoring.

Financial Support: Provide timely financial support and advice to budget holders and managers across the College.

Value for Money: Help drive efficiencies by identifying opportunities for cost savings and ensuring procurement best practices are followed.

Financial Systems & Reporting: Assist in the development and maintenance of financial systems and help produce financial reports for senior management.

Year-End & Compliance: Support in the preparation of year-end accounts, grant claims, VAT returns, and other statutory returns, ensuring adherence to financial regulations.

Staff Development: Assist with the training of finance staff and non-financial managers in financial systems and procedures.

What We Are Looking For

Experience: At least 3 years of accounting experience, with a proven track record in managing budgets and financial reporting. Experience in a Further Education College environment is highly desirable.

Qualifications: Part-qualified accountant (CIPFA, CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW) or equivalent. A minimum of NVQ level 3 (2 A levels or equivalent) is required.

Skills: Strong analytical skills, proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel), and the ability to communicate complex financial data clearly to non-financial stakeholders. Experience with financial reporting tools such as Power BI or Business Objects is a plus.

What We Offer
• Excellent Holiday Allowance, plus bank holidays (8) and College closure days at Christmas (3)
• Eye care vouchers
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Interest-free loans for season tickets; computers
• Contributory average salary with Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
• Access to Perkbox, our rewards and discount platform
• Access to the College’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Discount at the College’s on-site hair and beauty salon

Important Information

The safety and welfare of our learners and staff are extremely important to us, and this is why we pride ourselves on our safeguarding procedures. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note it is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activities relevant to children.

For further information about our Safeguarding and Prevent policy, please view the documents attached.

We encourage and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or identity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnership.

To apply, please complete an application form before the closing date specified, as CVs will not be accepted. Please ensure you also include a supporting statement as part of your application, addressing how you meet the Person Specification detailed in the Job Description attached to be considered for the position.

In submitting your application for this position, it is strictly prohibited to use any form of AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools or automation. By applying, you confirm that all content is your own and not generated or assisted by AI.

We reserve the right to close the submission deadline earlier than expected, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

Safeguarding Statement

West London College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.