Finance and Payroll Officer

Every; England; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD programme

Benenden healthcare scheme

Hybrid working

Job summary

Future Schools Trust is seeking a Finance and Payroll Officer to join the Finance Team at the Central Services Office, with hybrid working after training. The role supports ledgers, payments, payroll and HR finance tasks across our Kent sites, in a collaborative trust environment.

The successful candidate will have ledger experience, strong Excel and confidentiality, and an interest in professional development within a trust that values staff growth and diversity.

Qualifications

• Experience with sales and purchase ledgers and financial regulations.
• Strong English communication and confidentiality.
• Familiarity with payroll processes and reconciliation is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist Finance Manager with sales/purchase ledgers and payments in line with procedures.
• Support payroll and HR finance processes and fund management.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal policies.

Skills

Sales ledger

Purchase ledger

Payroll administration

MS Excel

Education

GCSEs A–C incl. Maths & English

AAT or equivalent

Tools

Iris Financials

Parent Pay

Job description

Finance and Payroll Officer (Future Schools Trust)

Location: Future Schools Trust, Kent, UK

Contract Type: Permanent

Education Phases: Through School;

Working Patterns: Full-Time;

Application Deadline: Monday, 5th October 2026

Interview Date: To be arranged upon receipt of application

Expected Working Start Date: ASAP

Is a Shared Job: No

About us

Welcome toFuture Schools Trust. Our Trust consists of two secondary schools, one primaryschool and one nursery at the heart of our local community in the Maidstone andMalling area of Kent. FST was legally established as a Multi Academy Trust(MAT) in September 2007.

All ourschools have a strong and inclusive ethos, reflecting our vision. Staff andstudents embrace our values, and they share our belief that schools arestronger when they work together whilst being proud and respectful of theunique identity of each of our schools.

FST'scentral team support our schools with core functions such as Finance, HR,Facilities, IT, Marketing and Governance.

At FutureSchools Trust, we are committed to building a workplace that reflects thediversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications frompeople of all backgrounds, including those who are differently abled,neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, andfrom different religious or belief backgrounds. We value the uniqueperspectives and experiences that individuals bring and believe they make ourorganisation stronger. If you require any reasonable adjustments during therecruitment process, we are happy to support you.

What's init for you?

• A vibrant and exciting place to work
• A friendly and supportive environment
• An excellent CPD programme, withopportunities for action research and nationally accredited qualifications
• The support of a Trust that currentlyencompasses two Secondary Schools and one Primary School. Alongside TigerCubs, our term time only Day Nursery, for children aged 3 months to 4years, with great benefits to education staff.
• A well-resourced department with schemesof work and resources available.
• An opportunity to join various schemessuch as the Benenden corporate healthcare scheme

Future Schools Trust are seeking a Finance and Payroll Officer tojoin the Finance Team who will be based at the Central Services Office but mayalso be required to work across all Trust sites. The working hours for the roleare 37 per week, Monday-Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm and Friday 8:00am-3:30pm.Following training, there will be hybrid working, with up to 2 days per leaveworked from home.

Thisrole will be assisting the Finance Manager in the maintenance of the sales andpurchase ledgers ensuring the processing of payments in accordance with schoolprocedures and in compliance with Financial Regulations. This role will alsoassist in payroll and HR finance processes, voluntary fund management, andcompliance with financial procedures and policies.

Future Schools Trust is a forward thinking, supportiveorganisation that is keen to develop staff to their full potential. This is anexciting opportunity for someone looking to progress their career in thefinance industry.

Person Specification

• Previous experience ofSales/Purchase ledger maintenance
• Good working knowledge ofsales/purchase ledgers and financial regulations ideally in the Academies/Educationsector
• Ideally knowledge of IrisFinancials and Parent Pay
• Ideally knowledge of payrolladministration and reconciliation
• Good oral and writtencommunication skills with clear spoken and written English
• Excellent interpersonal skills,including the ability to deal with people tactfully and confidentially.
• Ability to work on own initiativeand prioritise work
• Experienced in using MS Excel,Outlook and Word or similar
• Able to understand the importanceof confidentiality in the workplace
• Proven ability to work as part ofa team
• Minimum 5 GCSE’s A-C includingMathematics and English (or equivalent)
• AAT or equivalentqualification or working towards or qualified by experience.

Candidate Pack - Finance and Payroll Officer FST 2026.pdf