Finance Assistant

TES FE News; Hampstead; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious independent school in Hampstead is seeking a Finance Assistant to support its financial operations. The successful candidate will assist in processing invoices, managing pupil fee payments, and contribute to budgeting processes. AAT Level 2/3 Accounting or equivalent experience is required, along with strong numerical skills and proficiency in financial software. This role offers an opportunity to work in a supportive educational environment.

Qualifications

• AAT Level 2/3 Accounting or equivalent experience required.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills essential.
• Proficiency in financial software systems needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist in processing invoices and payments accurately.
• Help manage pupil fee payments and collections.
• Contribute to the annual budgeting process.

Skills

AAT Level 2/3 Accounting

Strong numerical and analytical skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Experience in iSAMS or IFinance

Excellent attention to detail

Good communication skills

Knowledge of UK education finance regulations

Education

AAT Level 2/3 Accounting or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

iSAMS

IFinance

Job description

Overview

St. Christopher's is an independent girls' prep school for about 260 pupils situated in leafy Hampstead. We are looking for a Finance Assistant to play a crucial role in supporting the financial operations of St Christopher's School. Reporting to the Assistant Bursar, this position requires a detail-oriented individual with strong numerical skills and a passion for education finance.

Responsibilities

• Financial Administration: Assist in processing invoices, payments and purchase orders; help maintain accurate financial records and filing systems; support the preparation of monthly financial reports; help process staff expense claims; assist with regular bank posting and reconciliations.
• Pupil Fee Management: Aid in processing pupil fee payments and managing fee collection; assist with generating and distributing invoices to parents/guardians.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Contribute to the annual budgeting process by ensuring processing is completed in a timely manner; help track actual expenditures against budgeted amounts; assist in preparing financial forecasts and projections.
• Supplier Management: Help maintain relationships with suppliers and service providers; assist in negotiating contracts and ensuring value for money; support the procurement process for school supplies and equipment.
• Compliance and Reporting: Aid in preparing financial information for audits and inspections; assist in ensuring compliance with financial regulations and school policies; help compile data for statutory returns and reports.

Qualifications and Skills

• AAT Level 2/3 Accounting, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Strong numerical and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial software systems
• Experience of iSAMS and IFinance or other educational management information software (Desirable, but full training given to the right candidate)
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information
• Knowledge of UK education finance regulations (desirable)
• Experience in a school or educational setting (advantageous)

Personal Qualities

• Integrity and trustworthiness
• Proactive and self-motivated
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Adaptable and willing to learn
• Commitment to the ethos and values of St Christopher's School

The above responsibilities are illustrative and the post-holder will be expected to undertake duties as may be reasonably allocated by the Assistant Bursar or Bursar. This job description is subject to periodic amendment when circumstances or professional review and development dictates changes to the post-holder’s role within the School.

Application

Please apply through Quick Apply or submit fully completed Application Forms to Philippa Flint at [e-mail]. Please note that neither CVs alone nor late applications will be accepted. Applications must be made on the School’s own application form. The School reserves the right to interview candidates ahead of the closing date.

The closing date for application is 4pm on 30 September 2025.

Equal opportunities

The School is an equal opportunities employer.

Safeguarding

The School is committed to safeguarding children within its welfare, and safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone who works there.

The appointment is subject to at least two satisfactory references, receipt of Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) disclosure, verification of identity and qualifications, satisfactory medical fitness, evidence of the right to work in the UK and DfE prohibition checks. Additional overseas checks will be required for candidates who have lived or worked outside the UK.

St Christopher’s School adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (2018). We will obtain information about you including any criminal convictions you may have. All information will be kept confidential and it will only be used to process your application. If your application is unsuccessful, all your information will be deleted from our systems and disposed of in a secure manner.

Charitable status

The School is a registered charity (registration number 312999) administered by a Board of Trustees who also act as the School’s Governors.