Bursar at Ursuline Preparatory School

International Schools Today; Brentwood; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Ursuline Preparatory School in Brentwood seeks an experienced Bursar to oversee finance, HR and compliance, ensuring smooth operational performance. The role requires a self‑driven, professional approach and the ability to work with a management team.

Reporting to the Head and Trustees, responsibilities include invoicing, VAT reporting, forecasting, statutory accounts, HR and payroll, data protection and major supplier negotiations, plus policy reviews.

Qualifications

• Proven record in financial management and control.
• Experience working in an academic environment preferred.
• Understanding of VAT reporting and statutory accounts.

Responsibilities

• Finance and accounting, including fee invoicing and VAT reporting.
• Financial forecasting.
• Preparation of statutory accounts.
• HR and payroll management.
• Data and employment compliance.
• Major supplier contract negotiations.
• Annual policy and contract reviews.
• Stay abreast of relevant industry updates.
• Operate on behalf of Head and Trustees as required.

Skills

Financial management

HR and recruitment

Data protection

Interpreting financial information

Organisation and detail

Education

Recognised financial qualification

Job description

The Bursar plays a fundamental role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the operational, administrative and compliance side of the school. This is a rewarding hands‑on role, requiring a flexibility of approach by an individual who is self‑motivated, able to work independently but also able to contribute to the management team.

Reporting to the Head and the Trustees, the key responsibilities of the Bursar cover multiple areas including, but not limited to:

• Finance and accounting, including fee invoicing and VAT reporting
• Financial forecasting
• Preparation of Statutory accounts
• Management of Early Years Funding Scheme
• HR and payroll
• Data and Employment Compliance
• Major supplier contract negotiations
• Annual policy and contract reviews
• Requirement to stay abreast of all relevant industry updates
• Any other operational duties as required by the Head.

We are looking for an experienced professional, ideally with a recognised financial qualification and an understanding of working within an academic environment. Key qualities will include:

• A proven record in financial management and control as well as an ability to interpret and present complex financial information to ensure operational efficiency
• Knowledge of employment law, HR and recruitment processes
• Strong awareness of confidentiality and data protection

Personal qualities are likely to include:

• Strong commitment to the values, ethos and safeguarding responsibilities of the Ursuline Preparatory School
• Highly organised, detail-focused and quality-driven
• Proactive, flexible and resilient with excellent interpersonal skills

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