Accounts Assistant

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; Hassocks; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free lunch

Free on-site parking

Pension scheme

Private medical (BUPA)

Professional development

Job summary

Hurstpierpoint College is seeking an Accounts Assistant to join the Finance Office. No prior experience required; full training provided. You will work with the Credit Controller on daily tasks, learn the accounts function, and support other areas as needed.

The role includes 40 hours per week, a starting salary of £25,000, and a potential apprenticeship path with recognised qualifications. Based in the Finance Office, the successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in invoice checking,

Qualifications

• Comfortable with numbers and careful with detail.
• Confident using a computer with MS Office and digital files.
• Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including parents.

Responsibilities

• Check invoice details (amounts, dates, names) and flag errors.
• Record payments and match to invoices.
• Send reminders for unpaid amounts and log activity.
• Support bursary applications by checking completeness and logging records.
• Help with data entry and general tasks for the accounts department.

Skills

Numerical aptitude

MS Office

Communication

Telephone handling

Confidentiality

Education

GCSE Maths & English (5+)

Job description

The Role

We are seeking a reliable, personable and detail-focused individual to join our Finance team as an Accounts Assistant. This is an excellent first role for someone who has recently finished school and is looking to begin a career in finance. No previous experience is required, just a willingness to learn and a careful, conscientious approach.

Based in the Finance Office, you will work closely alongside the Credit Controller on day-to-day tasks, gaining a thorough grounding in how a busy finance team operates. As you settle into the role, you will also be given the opportunity to support other areas of the department, building a broader understanding of the accounts function as a whole. Full training will be given from day one.

Working at Hurst

Hurst is one of Britain's leading independent schools, offering a vibrant and supportive environment for both pupils and staff. With almost 1,300 pupils across our Senior and Prep Schools, we combine academic ambition with a strong sense of community and a rich co-curricular programme. With Pennthorpe School newly joining the Hurst family, it is an exciting time to be part of the team.

Hurst is a place of genuine momentum. From the classroom to the sports field, the theatre to the boarding house, life here is rich, varied and rewarding. Those who thrive here bring the same enthusiasm, commitment and energy that we encourage in our pupils.

Set in a beautiful rural location, the College remains well connected, just 20 minutes from Brighton & Hove and under an hour from London by train.

Key Responsibilities

Working with the Credit Controller

• Checking invoice details are correct — amounts, dates, names — and flagging anything that seems incorrect
• Recording payments received and ensuring they are matched to the correct account and allocated against the correct invoice
• Helping to send reminder letters or emails for unpaid amounts
• Maintaining a clear log of what has come in and been dealt with

Bursary applications

• Receiving bursary applications submitted by parents through the external system
• Checking that all expected information has been received and nothing is missing
• Logging and recording each application accurately on the College system
• Keeping digital records organised so they can be easily located when needed
• Flagging any incomplete or unclear applications

Supporting the wider Accounts department

• Providing support to other members of the finance team as required
• Assisting with data entry and keeping records up to date on the system
• Answering straightforward queries from staff and referring anything more complex to the right person
• Helping with any other general tasks as needed

About You

As our ideal candidate, you will be

• Comfortable with numbers and careful with detail
• Confident using a computer, with knowledge of MS Office packages, digital files and systems
• Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including parents, delivering outstanding customer service at all times
• Confident answering and making telephone calls.
• Reliable, punctual and organised
• Polite, friendly and easy to work with
• Happy to take direction and ask questions when unsure
• Have understanding of confidentiality, some of the work involves personal and sensitive information

GCSE Maths and English at grade 5 or above (or equivalent), and any part-time or voluntary work experience, would be advantageous, though neither is essential

Apprenticeship Opportunity

This role is also offered as an apprenticeship opportunity. If you join on this basis, you will work in the Finance Office while studying towards a recognised qualification, such as an AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Level 2 or a Business Administration qualification, alongside your day-to-day duties.

As an apprentice, you will earn a wage, have dedicated study time, and receive support from both the College and a training provider, a great way to build real skills and gain a qualification without the cost of full-time study.

Working Hours

• 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

What we offer in Return:

• Competitive salary of £25,000
• Free lunched during term-time
• Free on-site parking
• Membership of the College's contributory pension scheme
• Discounted private medical scheme through BUPA
• A collaborative, friendly and supportive working environment
• Excellent opportunities for professional development

Hurstpierpoint College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to undergo appropriate pre-employment checks, including references, adverse media searches and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check