Finance Assistant

Harmeny Education Trust; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 16,000; Part time

Job summary

A charitable organization is seeking a Finance Assistant to manage daily bookkeeping and support payroll processes on a part-time basis (16 hours/week). The ideal candidate will have experience or qualifications in finance, knowledge of finance software like Xero, and a strong attention to detail. This role offers competitive compensation and the opportunity to contribute positively to children's lives in a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Free gym membership

Access to wellbeing app

Counseling services

Discounts on shopping

Free massage therapy

35 days' holiday per year

Pension scheme

Life assurance scheme

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a finance role or relevant qualifications.
• Knowledge of processing invoices and payroll.
• Experience with finance software and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Support finance team with daily bookkeeping and payroll.
• Maintain purchase and sales invoices.
• Assist with month-end duties and financial improvements.

Skills

Bookkeeping

Payroll processing

Attention to detail

Customer focus

Proactive problem-solving

Education

AAT Bookkeeping Level 2 or HNC in Accounting

Tools

Sage Payroll

Xero

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Application Deadline: 12 October 2025

Department: Finance

Location: Balerno, Edinburgh

Compensation: £13,397 - £15,194 / year

Overview

Harmeny Education Trust is a charitable organisation providing therapeutic care and education to children who have experienced early years trauma through abuse, neglect and family disruption, referred from all over Scotland. We currently work with children and young people aged 5-18, both on a day and all-year-round residential basis. We have an exciting opportunity for a Finance Assistant to join our Finance Team on a one year fixed term contract. This role is office based, and the successful candidate would be required to work 16 hours per week, with flexibility to work over 3-4 days between Monday to Friday.

The Finance Assistant is a critical role within a small, dynamic and enthusiastic team. The post-holder will be responsible for daily bookkeeping, payroll support and relevant administrative duties. If you love numbers, spreadsheets, data and reconciliations, then this could be an excellent opportunity to shape your career in finance.

The pro-rata salary for the post ranges from £13,397 to £15,194 per annum, depending on experience, and it is based on a full-time equivalent salary range of £29,306 – £33,239. The successful candidate, together with colleagues in Care, Education and Support Services, will have the opportunity to contribute positively to the lives of some of the nation’s most vulnerable children, ensuring Harmeny continues to offer an excellent service.

Harmeny is situated in a beautiful 35-acre woodland estate, which includes residential and education accommodation, community garden, orchard, wildlife habitats and children’s play areas. Harmeny is located in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Pentland Hills; we are easily accessible by bus and there is on-site parking available.

We offer benefits and opportunities that promote wellbeing, work-life balance, staff development and security. Benefits include:

• Free gym membership and cycle to work scheme
• Access to a wellbeing app and counselling
• Access to discounts on shopping and events
• On-site wellbeing spaces and free massage therapy

All staff receive a comprehensive induction package, and access to a range of learning and development opportunities throughout their career with us.

Harmeny is a values-led organisation and a good fit with our ethos is as important to us as having relevant experience.

If you would like to find out more about this rewarding opportunity, please view the job description and/or contact Julia Giraud, Finance Manager, on 0131 449 3938.

To apply, please complete the application form via the ‘Careers’ section at https://www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs.

Responsibilities

• Context and overall purpose of the job: To provide support to the finance team, helping to ensure that it provides a high-quality service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Follow processes and procedures closely to ensure transactional information is captured to a high standard.
• Work on a wide range of finance activities, using a range of IT systems.
• Be an active member of the wider Support Services Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote a positive ethos in Harmeny, consistent with Harmeny’s vision, purpose and core values.
• Generate and issue monthly sales ledger invoices. Reconcile income received in the bank accounts. Proactive credit control monitoring ensuring that invoices are paid in time and any queries are resolved in a timely manner.
• Assist in the maintenance of the payroll system, collate salary information, provide support in the running of monthly payroll and respond to request for pay-related information.
• Provide support for Prepaid card system, including checking card transactions, exporting data, and reconciling bank transactions within Xero.
• Management of the Amazon Business account including monthly reconciliation.
• Holiday cover not limited to but including the processing of petty cash, credit card, Amazon and purchase ledger invoices.
• Assist with month end and year end duties as required.
• Support the Finance Manager with any finance-related improvement projects, delivering business change and ensuring the implementation of that change across the organisation.
• Maintain effective communication within the Finance team and across departments, to ensure that financial awareness and transparency is embedded across the organisation.
• Work in accordance with all Harmeny policies and procedures.
• Attend supervision, annual performance review, training and other meetings as required.
• Undertake any other duties delegated by the Finance Manager, HoF or other member of SLT that are commensurate with the post.

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Either previous experience of a similar role or qualifications in AAT Bookkeeping Level 2 or an HNC in Accounting.
• Knowledge and experience of purchase and sales invoices processing, payments and receipts allocation, petty cash and credit card handling, banking and account reconciliation.
• Knowledge and experience of basic payroll processing including processing timesheets to a payroll system.
• Good working knowledge and experience of using finance-related software systems such as Sage Payroll, Xero, as well as using Microsoft Office suite. Good Excel skills are essential.
• Knowledge of data protection legislation and guidelines that are relevant to financial and payroll records.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving, excellent interpersonal skills with a strong attention to detail.
• A demonstrable track record of managing competing priorities and deadlines within a busy working environment, with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to change.
• Experience of providing a high-quality service to internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable

• Understanding of basic VAT principles.
• Understanding of budget setting and reporting
• Understanding of month end processes.
• Experience of working within a care, education or multidisciplinary setting.

Essential Personal Characteristics / Competencies

• A strong customer focus and proven ability to build productive relationships with people at all levels.
• Emotional intelligence and an understanding of the needs of others.
• Initiative and the ability to work autonomously, with a flexible and solution-focused mindset.
• The ability to be hands-on to support any finance-related matters.
• Commitment to continuing professional development in self and others.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 35 days’ holiday per year (pro rata), inclusive of public holidays
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance scheme (three times salary)
• Enhanced pay for maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Policies and practices that promote health and wellbeing, including massage therapy and access to a wellbeing space