Bookkeeper

Suffolk County Council; Bury; On-site; GBP 9,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking a finance officer for South Lee Prep School and Nursery in Bury. The role involves managing purchase ledger invoices, payroll, and departmental budgets. Applicants should have strong attention to detail and IT competency. Benefits include professional development and longer holidays than the maintained sector. Apply by email before 12.00 pm on 5 December 2025.

Benefits

Longer holidays than the maintained sector

Professional development opportunities

Fee concessions

Free on-site parking

Wellbeing gym sessions

Delicious cooked lunches

Company pension scheme with free financial advice

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.
• High level of IT competency required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a sense of humour.

Responsibilities

• Process purchase ledger invoices and payments.
• Bank reconciliation and allocation of fee receipts.
• Manage payroll changes and payment runs.
• Assist with departmental budgets and annual audit.
• Procurement and cost management.

Skills

Attention to detail

IT competency (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Interpersonal skills

Professionalism

Confidentiality

Education

AAT or similar qualification

Job description

Job Details

• South Lee Prep School and Nursery
• Address: Nowton Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 2BT
• Salary: £8,112 per annum
• Hours: 12 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent
• Reference: 0505

About the role

Reporting to the School Finance Manager, you will play a key role in managing financial processes and supporting the smooth running of the school's accounts. This is a varied position requiring accuracy, discretion, and excellent organisational skills.

Key responsibilities

• Process purchase ledger invoices and payments.
• Bank reconciliation and allocation of fee receipts.
• Manage payroll changes and payment runs.
• Assist with departmental budgets and annual audit.
• Procurement and cost management.
• General administrative support during holiday periods.

What you will need

• Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.
• High level of IT competency (Outlook, Word, Excel, databases).
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a sense of humour.
• Professionalism and confidentiality.
• AAT or similar qualification desirable.

Benefits of joining us at South Lee

• Longer holidays than the maintained sector.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Fee concessions.
• Free on‑site parking and wellbeing gym sessions.
• Delicious cooked lunches during term time.
• Company pension scheme with free financial advice.
• Supportive team culture and thorough induction.

About South Lee Prep School and Nursery

South Lee Prep School is a forward‑thinking school that is always looking for ways to enhance learning and ignite intellectual curiosity in our children. We want them to become independent learners, to ask questions, to challenge what they already know, to learn new ways of thinking and to be the best they can possibly be. We also want them to learn who they are and how to be resilient and happy in their own skin.

Through our six South Lee pillars (authenticity and achievement, communication and community, nurture, and zest) we aim to instil the skills and confidence in each child so they can go out into the world, ambitious and brave, ready to make a positive difference in whichever way they choose.

To find out more

Please read the Job Description (pdf).

Contact

For more information, please contact Sarah Catchpole, Headteacher, by calling 01284 754654.

Visits to the school are welcomed.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your completed Application Form (Word) by email to [e-mail].

Closing date

12.00 pm, 5 December 2025.

Interview date

Week commencing 8 December 2025.

Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date and the school reserves the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made. Applicants are therefore encouraged strongly to apply in good time.

Employment Policy

For reasons of safer recruitment, please be aware we do not accept or review curriculum vitae. To progress your application, we will require a completed South Lee Prep School Application Form.

It is our policy that we request employment references for all short‑listed candidates prior to interview. Applicants will be asked to confirm that they have not been disqualified from working with children. Any gaps in employment will be explored at interview.

Candidates should be aware that in line with Keeping Children Safe, we will conduct online searches for shortlisted candidates.

Important Notice

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING: To apply, please follow the application process detailed above. This job does not have a Suffolk Jobs Direct online application form. The 'Apply Now' button below only allows you to submit a job alert, not an online application.