Finance Officer

Finance Officer Salary: £16,317 - £17,715 per annum (£30,024 - £32,597 FTE) Hours: 22 hours per week, 41 weeks per year (term time plus INSET days) Contract: Permanent Working Pattern: 3 days per week, 8:00am – 4:00pm Join Our Team We are seeking an organised, detail-focused and proactive Finance Officer to join our support staff team. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys working in a busy environment and wants to play a key role in supporting educational excellence. Working closely with the Finance and Operations Manager, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting budget monitoring, and ensuring robust financial processes are followed across the organisation. About the Role As Finance Officer, you will be the primary custodian of financial processing and administration, ensuring the effective management of financial transactions and compliance with established procedures. Key responsibilities include: • Maintaining accurate accounting records using financial management systems • Processing purchase orders and invoices • Managing accounts payable and receivable activities • Conducting bank and petty cash reconciliations • Supporting month-end and year-end financial processes • Monitoring expenditure against budgets and highlighting variances • Assisting with cashflow forecasting • Supporting procurement activities and value-for-money initiatives • Resolving invoice and payment queries • Maintaining financial compliance and confidentiality at all times. About You We are looking for someone who has: Essential • AAT qualification or equivalent experience • Experience in a finance or financial administration role • Knowledge of financial procedures, budgeting and monthly accounts • Strong administrative and organisational skills • Excellent attention to detail and numerical accuracy • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines • A positive, flexible and proactive approach • High levels of integrity, discretion and confidentiality • Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, including functions such as VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables. Desirable • Experience working within an educational setting • Experience of preparing year-end accounts • Knowledge of VAT and finance processes within academies or charities. What We Offer • Competitive salary • Local Government Pension Scheme • Occupational sick pay scheme • Employee Assistance Programme • Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme • Free on-site parking • Free use of on-site fitness facilities • Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities • A supportive, collaborative working environment with high expectations and strong community values.