Education Finance Officer (SEN)

Borough of Havering; Romford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

An established local authority in Romford is looking for a Finance Officer to join their Education Finance team. The role involves supporting SEN administration and managing financial resources. Candidates should have experience in finance roles and expertise in Microsoft Excel. Training is provided, and there are opportunities for professional development. Salary ranges from £35,520 to £38,739 annually. Applications close on 30/11/2025.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in a finance or similar role.
• Qualified or part-qualified accountant with commitment to CPD.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Support SEN administration from financial resources.
• Coordinate data for funding and statutory returns.
• Ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Advanced level of Microsoft Excel application

Experience working within deadlines

Education

GCSE grades 5–9 in English and maths (or equivalent)

Tools

MS Office applications

SIMS Financial Management System

Oracle software

Synergy software

Job description

About the role

Do you want to make a difference to people’s lives? Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you have what it takes to provide support across a range of communities?

The well-respected and long-established Education Finance team is looking to recruit a Finance Officer to join the existing team to support SEN administration and allocation.

Education Finance prides itself on providing high‑quality financial support to schools and academies in Havering and beyond. The management of resources is key to schools and we place great emphasis on effective financial management. We enjoy excellent working relationships with internal colleagues, external stakeholders, our schools and academies, and consistently score highly in customer satisfaction surveys.

The role is varied and encompasses finance at its core. Stakeholders include parents applying for financial support, head teachers, and other educators. The candidate will need a broad understanding of accounting principles and processes that relate to La‑maintained schools, academies, free schools, and local authority accounting standards.

Primarily, the role will support SEN administration from overall financial resources, possibly including Early Years and other educational and central funds. Key tasks involve coordinating and producing data that will affect funding and statutory returns related to SEN transport reimbursements, free school meal eligibility checks, school reconciliations, and other statutory tasks.

The role will ensure that the distribution of ring‑fenced education grants is carried out, working closely with Senior Finance Officers to support the Principal Finance Officer in operational, tactical, and strategic matters relating to financial management in education.

This position demands a high level of compliance with national and local statutory regulations and a commitment to probity in line with regulations.

We invite applications from candidates with experience of similar roles, either in an educational setting or elsewhere. Induction and training will be provided, and we encourage ongoing professional development.

Essential Criteria

• Advanced level of Microsoft Excel application
• At least 2 years of experience in a finance or similar role
• Experience using MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience working within deadlines
• GCSE grades 5–9 in English and maths (or equivalent, e.g., A*–C)

Desirable Criteria

• A qualified or part‑qualified accountant with a commitment to CPD
• Experience with SIMS Financial Management System (FMS)
• Oracle software experience
• Synergy software experience
• Full UK driving licence

Additional Information

We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life and so do our employees.

The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Application Process

All applications must be made online. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 30/11/2025; however, interest in this job may be high and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Contact: Hany Moussa by phone (info provided) or via email at (email provided).

Key Skills & Technical Requirements

Channel Marketing, ERP Sales, CSSD, Conflict Management, Ethernet, AC Maintenance

Employment Details

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Experience: Years

Vacancy: 1

Yearly Salary: £35,520 – £38,739