The Company

Based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, EPM is an award-winning and accredited education services business with over 25 years of expertise.

We are a technology-enabled business, but people are at the heart of what we do. We believe in developing long-lasting relationships with our customers and employees, with our relationships lasting, on average, 11 years.

We are 100% dedicated to education and our expert team of over 200 highly qualified employees support more than 2,300 Schools and Trusts nationwide.

Our culture is unique and is based upon our motivated and passionate team. As a result, we encourage our employees to flourish and unleash their talent by building their confidence and providing them with the opportunities and support to empower them and realise their full potential. This is just one of the many reasons we were awarded 'Employer of the Year' at the Hunts Post Business Awards in 2018 and shortlisted again in 2019.

EPM's performance in the market has been and continues to be, exceptional, resulting in significant growth year after year. Our success can be attributed to our proactive, forward-thinking approach and passionate team. Our plan is to continue this growth, increase our geographical reach and consider expanding the services offered.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a business which has been acquired by the Citation Group, who are ultimately owned by the private equity firm Hg. The Finance Assistant will support the Finance Team Leader in providing the EPM board and its leadership team with sound financial advice and support to a growing and ever-evolving business. The individual will work closely with the EPM and Group finance team and will be required to manage a varied range of responsibilities. This is a broad, all-encompassing finance position, which offers learning and development in all areas of accounts with full study support.

Purpose of Role

The Finance Assistant will work closely with the Finance Team Leader and the CFO and contribute to the continued growth and success of the Company by:

Developing and strengthening internal processes and controls to ensure the accuracy and timely delivery of company Management Accounts

Provide financial support to the Board, which will assist them in developing and implementing the broader business strategy for the Company and, where appropriate, support the Group as a whole.

Main Responsibilities/Duties of the role

Supporting in the preparation of the monthly Management Accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and Fixed Asset register

Assisting the Finance Team Leader with Sales ledger postings of monthly, termly and annual invoices and resolution of any queries that arise

Assisting the Finance Team Leader with credit control and the collection of payment for overdue invoices

Responsibility for the daily cash book reconciliations, ensuring the banks are posted and reconciled by the first working day of the following month

Assisting the Finance Team Leader with Purchase Ledger postings (including Petty cash and staff expenses), of monthly and annual invoices and resolution of any queries that arise

Assisting the Finance Team Leader with the processing of the company payroll and journals

Supporting the Payroll Team with daily submissions of our Clients payroll (circa 1,500 a month)

Assisting the CFO with the preparation of annual budgets

Assisting the CFO with cash flow forecasting

Assisting the CFO with the preparation of monthly board packs for Group presentation

Assisting the CFO with weekly and monthly reporting on new business and churn, highlighting variances to budget

Scanning of all documents onto the server in support of paperless system

Supporting in the preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns

Aiding with year-end audits and statutory accounting

Maintenance of finance mailbox and resolution of incoming queries

Additional tasks as requested by the Board of Directors and Senior Finance Team

Technical Reporting and Control Environment

Ensure the financial integrity of statutory accounts and management accounts, including adherence to UK GAAP (for statutory reporting)

Compliance with statutory Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE requirements

Introduce a more formal control environment to mitigate financial risk, whilst also seeking efficiencies and smarter ways of working