Bursar

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Maghera; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a Bursar – Administrative Officer to lead finance, building, equipment and general administration within a school. You will work with the Principal/Vice-Principal to plan and monitor budgets, manage non-teaching staff, and oversee procurement and reporting.

The role includes administration of LMS-based systems, coordinating health & safety, and liaising with DENI/CCMS/EA to ensure compliant operations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook).
• Degree in business/finance/accountancy or equivalent.
• Professional accounting qualification required (ACCA/ACA/CIMA).

Responsibilities

• Manage school finance, building, equipment and admin staff under EA LMS framework.
• Prepare annual budget estimates and monitor financial performance.
• Oversee procurement, purchasing, payroll-related letters and reporting to governors.
• Coordinate building maintenance, safety, minibuses, and liaise with external agencies.

Skills

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Studies, Finance or Accountancy (RQF Level 6)

Qualified Accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
• You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 – Essential Criteria

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Essential Criteria Method Of Assessment Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in Business Studies, Finance or Accountancy (Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 6), or an equivalent or higher qualification.

Qualified Accountant with membership of a professional body such as ACCA/ACA/CIMA or equivalent

Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience

A minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a finance and administration role

Demonstrable working experience of preparing financial accounts

A minimum of 3 years’ experience of managing staff and other resources

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

Demonstrable evidence of a working knowledge of computerised accounting systems, LMS, and financial systems and protocols used in schools

Shortlisting by Application Form

Skills / Abilities

Evidence of proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other N/A

Shortlisting by Application Form

Section 2 – Essential Criteria

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment

Knowledge

Evidence of a working knowledge of the principles and methods of book‑keeping

Interview Skills / Abilities

Demonstrable effective people management skills to successfully motivate and manage a team

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Effective planning and organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines

Proven effective problem solving and decision‑making skills

Evidence of an ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Interview Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the School’s Values/ethos. You will find information about our Values on the school website.

Section 3 – Desirable Criteria

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Desirable Criteria Method Of Assessment Qualifications / Experience

Demonstrable experience of producing budgetary estimates

Evidence Of Experience Of Working With Other Agencies

Shortlisting by Application Form

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre‑employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Bursar – Administrative Officer

REPORTS TO: Principal

JOB PURPOSE To be responsible for all matters of school management relating to Finance, Building, Equipment, Non‑Teaching Staff and General Administration.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Bursar will work closely with the Principal and Vice‑Principal/s and will participate in formal planning, decision making, implementation and monitoring.

Finance

In keeping with the EA scheme for LMS the Bursar will develop and monitor financial administrative structures within the school. This will include:

• Preparing estimates of annual expenditure, drawing up the annual budget plan, having it thoroughly analysed and presented to Principal and Governors. The annual budget shall be determined and notified to the EA by the appropriate date.
• Monitoring and controlling all finances within the school
• Preparing financial and other reports, in connection with the administration of the school’s budget, including regular updating for all budget holders
• Calculating and allocating department budgets for resources and reprographics
• Preparing Salary Review Letters for Teaching Staff
• Monitoring and controlling all school based accounts to ensure that proper records are kept, and that proper procedures are followed
• Ensuring all purchasing and requisition procedures are adhered to
• Being responsible for purchasing all capital items, furniture and fittings
• Acting as Secretary to the Finance Committee
• Overseeing and monitoring the collection of school fees
• Overseeing petty cash and banking procedures
• Checking and reconciling the EA monthly budget and expenditure report and advising the Principal of any issues that arise

Administration

The Bursar will be Office Manager and will be responsible for providing an efficient and effective administrative support structure for the school. This will involve responsibility for the work of secretarial, clerical, ancillary, auxiliary, cleaning and security staff. This will include:

• Monitoring the attendance of all members of non‑teaching staff and implementing the EA’s managing attendance at work policy
• Approving the appointment of replacements for absent staff in liaison with supervisors, and interviewing and vetting applicants
• Monitoring the work of all ancillary and auxiliary staff and taking action where appropriate
• Approving the salary returns for all ancillary and auxiliary staffs
• Undertaking all arrangements associated with the appointment of non‑ teaching staff
• Organising and overseeing the arrangements for enrolment of students including dealing with enquiries, admissions, registration and maintenance of student records
• Maintaining personnel records for all teaching and non‑teaching staff

Building, Plant and Equipment

The Bursar will be responsible for the maintenance of all buildings, plant and equipment to the required standard, in liaison with Contracts Manager, BESs, and Interserve. This will include:

• Liaising with the EA’s Maintenance Department
• Organising and overseeing maintenance work carried out under the LMS budget
• Keeping records of all work done
• Ensuring that all plant and equipment are properly maintained and proper records maintained
• Ensuring that the general security of the school site is of appropriate standards at all times
• Liaising with all external bodies using the school premises to ensure that proper arrangements and insurance are in place
• Ensuring that effective Health & Safety measures are in operation
• Establishing and operating a booking system for the school minibus, and maintaining log books for same
• Ensuring that school minibuses are properly maintained, that insurance, PSV and tax are kept up to date and that minibuses are securely garaged
• Booking buses for school use when school minibuses are not appropriate or available
• Establishing and maintaining a capital inventory of school equipment
• Organising the Letting of Premises to external bodies ie Club applications, schedule, insurance cover, issue of invoices and receipt payment

External Agencies

The Bursar will be required to maintain effective liaison with external agencies including DENI, CCMS and the EA. This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post‑holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.