Finance Assistant

Barnsley College; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution seeks a Finance Assistant to support the finance operations by processing invoices, managing financial records, and assisting with various tasks in a supportive team environment. The ideal candidate has experience in finance, strong organizational skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. This role offers a permanent full-time position with a salary of £24,316 per annum.

Qualifications

• At least twelve months of experience in an office environment, ideally in finance.
• Comfortable using finance systems and Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Excellent telephone manner and clear communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Process invoices and manage supplier queries.
• Raise and issue sales invoices and follow up on payments.
• Maintain accurate financial records and assist with reconciliations.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Confident communication

Proficient in Microsoft Excel

Education

AAT Level 2 or equivalent

Tools

Finance systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Finance Assistant
Finance
Salary: £24,316 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent Full time 37 hours per week

Reference: REC2223 | Closing Date: Monday, 11th August 2025

The Opportunity

You will be an important part of our friendly Finance team that supports the smooth running of the College's financial operations. Working within a supportive and experienced finance department, you will deliver a responsive and efficient service by carrying out a range of financial and administrative tasks. While your main focus will be on the purchase ledger, your work will also involve other areas such as accounts receivable, credit control, reconciliations and banking.

You will also take responsibility for raising and issuing sales invoices, following up on outstanding payments and responding to customer queries. On the purchase ledger side, you will process invoices, manage supplier queries and reconcile supplier statements. You will also handle general administrative duties and maintain accurate records, making sure all transactions are correctly matched and allocated to the right accounts.

This is a varied role that gives you the chance to work closely with both internal teams and external stakeholders, so a positive and professional approach to customer service is essential. You will use the College's finance systems daily to manage data, produce orders and credit notes, and help ensure financial processes run smoothly and in line with policy.

You will join a team that values accuracy, teamwork and a shared commitment to high standards. You will also support the wider goals of the College by promoting equality, safeguarding and continuous improvement. With access to relevant training and development, you will have the opportunity to build on your skills and grow within a busy and well-organised environment.

This is a great opportunity to build your experience in a busy, professional finance environment while working as part of a supportive and knowledgeable team. You will develop a strong understanding of both purchase and sales ledger processes, giving you a well-rounded foundation in finance operations.


About You

For this role, we are looking for someone who is organised, accurate and confident working with financial information. You will bring at least twelve months of experience working in an office environment, ideally within a finance department, which will have given you a solid understanding of financial processes and day-to-day administrative duties.

You should be comfortable using finance systems and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and be open to learning new systems and processes. Ideally, you will hold AAT Level 2 or an equivalent qualification, which will support your ability to carry out tasks such as invoice processing, reconciliations and data entry with confidence and accuracy.

Communication skills are essential. You will have an excellent telephone manner and the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues across departments, as well as with external customers and suppliers. A helpful and professional attitude is key to supporting the team and delivering a reliable and customer-focused service.

You will need to manage your time effectively, meet deadlines and stay calm under pressure. Flexibility is also important, as you may be asked to support a range of tasks depending on the needs of the team. Most importantly, you should be someone who takes pride in their work, contributes to a positive team environment and is keen to support the smooth and efficient running of the College's finance function.

Closing date for applications is Monday, 11th August 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest.

Barnsley College is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from DBS.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.