Accounts Assistant

International Schools Today; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free lunch during term-time

Free on-site parking

Contributory pension scheme

Private medical scheme (BUPA)

Job summary

Hurstpierpoint College is seeking a reliable Accounts Assistant to join the Finance Office. No prior experience required; full training will be provided and you’ll work with the Credit Controller on day-to-day tasks.

Based at a busy independent school, the role offers 40 hours per week, a starting salary of £25,000, on-site parking, and a supportive team environment. An apprenticeship option is also available, with study towards AAT Level 2 or Business Admin.

Qualifications

• Comfortable with numbers and detail.
• Proficient with MS Office and digital filing systems.
• Able to communicate effectively with parents and staff.
• Confident making and answering telephone calls.
• Reliable, punctual and well-organised.
• Polite, friendly and easy to work with.
• Willing to take direction and ask questions.
• Understand confidentiality with sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Check invoice details for correctness and flag discrepancies.
• Record payments and allocate to invoices.
• Send reminders for unpaid amounts.
• Maintain a clear log of receivables.
• Process bursary applications and verify information.
• Log bursary applications accurately in the College system.
• Keep digital records organized for quick retrieval.
• Support other finance team members as needed.
• Assist with data entry and up-to-date records.
• Answer straightforward queries and escalate complex ones.

Skills

Numerical accuracy

MS Office

Customer service

Telephone communication

Reliability & punctuality

Professionalism

Confidentiality awareness

Willingness to learn

Education

GCSE Maths & English 5+

AAT Level 2 / Business Admin (apprenticeship)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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

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

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