Finance Assistant

Hitchin Boys' School; Hitchin; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Hitchin Boys' School is seeking a Finance Assistant to support the Finance Manager in day-to-day finances and financial administration. The role requires experience in a finance office, confidence with Access financial software, and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

37 hours per week during term time (41 weeks per year) with a salary band of around £24k–£29k depending on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a finance office is essential.
• Confident in using computerised finance systems.
• Able to work under pressure, meet deadlines and plan priorities effectively.

Responsibilities

• Assist with control of school budgets and accounts using Access finance software.
• Collect and bank cash and cheques for all bank accounts and process in Access.
• Record all income received in line with the monthly timetable, ensuring suitable documentation is available.
• Complete the monthly petty cash reconciliation.
• Invoice debtors and ensure monies are subsequently received.
• Prepare monthly Prepayments/Accruals to ensure accurate accounting in Access.
• Assist with monthly bank, credit card and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Assist with year-end audit process and assemble year-end pack.
• Place and record purchase orders with appropriate budget holder authorisation in Access.
• Review outstanding purchase orders at month end and follow up as necessary.
• Administer the WisePay service including setting up school trips & recording receipts in Access.
• Understand HMRC VAT regulations ensuring correct recording for VAT return.
• Prepare weekly BACS runs.
• Check supplier payments and record payment details.
• Carry out any reasonable administrative duties as requested.

Skills

Finance office experience

Interpersonal communication

Time management

Tools

Access Finance software

Job description

FINANCE ASSISTANT

37 Hours per Week,

Mon-Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm

41 weeks per year (term time + 15 days)

Grade: H5

FTE salary: £27,254 - £29,540

Actual salary: £24,514 - £26,570 (depending on qualification/experience)

Hitchin Boys’ School (HBS) is an outstanding and over-subscribed comprehensive school with a mixed sixth form. We have a history that stretches back nearly 400 years, but embrace fresh thinking and a modern, vibrant curriculum. We have high expectations, excellent standards of behaviour and pride in our extra-curricular activities that lead to academically successful and well-rounded students who are well equipped for life beyond school.

We are now seeking a Finance Assistant to support the Finance Manager in managing the day-to-day finances and financial administration of the school. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential as are the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and plan priorities effectively. Experience of working in a finance office is essential as well as confidence in using computerised finance systems.

Key duties will include:

• assisting with the control of the school budgets and accounts, implementing and operating effective systems of budgetary control using Access finance software.
• collect and bank cash and cheques for all bank accounts and process in Access.
• record all income received in line with the monthly timetable, ensuring suitable documentation is available to support the financial transactions.
• complete the monthly petty cash reconciliation
• invoice debtors and ensuring monies are subsequently received
• identification & preparation of monthly/annual Prepayments/Accruals to ensure accurate accounting within Access.
• assist with the monthly bank, credit card and balance sheet reconciliations.
• assist with year-end audit process ensuring requirements are met in a timely fashion prior to audit, including completion/collation of the year end audit pack.
• responsibility for placing and recording purchase orders, ensuring appropriate budget holder authorisation, in line with Schedule of Financial Delegation and accurate coding in Access.
• reviewing outstanding purchase orders at month end and following up as necessary to assist with accurate and timely monthly accounting and reporting.
• administer the WisePay service including the setting up of school trips & recording of receipts in Access.
• understanding of HMRC VAT regulations ensuring sales/purchases are recorded correctly to ensure the accurate submission of the monthly VAT return.
• prepare weekly BACS runs.
• check supplier payments and identify and record supplier/payment details.
• to carry out any administrative duties as may reasonably be requested.

The successful candidate will:

• have experience of working in a finance office (Essential).
• be confident in using computerised finance systems.
• be able to work under pressure, meet deadlines & plan priorities effectively.
• have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral & written.
• have excellent attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• be willing to work as part of a team.
• be able to use initiative and work under supervision.
• be flexible in attitude and adaptable to change.

What can HBS offer you?

• a team of high performing committed professionals who are constantly striving for excellence.
• a school with great traditions, an excellent reputation but with a modern outlook.
• a dedicated well qualified and experienced staff who share the goal enshrined in our school motto “Per Ardua Ad Alta” - Striving for Excellence.
• a commitment to supporting the mental, physical & emotional wellbeing of both staff and students.
• free Employee Assistance Programme, accessible 24/7 and on-site mental health first aiders.

Application deadline: 9am on Wednesday 2nd September 2026*

Interviews: Dates to be confirmed.

*Hitchin Boys' School reserves the right to close this advert early in event of a suitable candidate being identified.

Further information on our school can be found on the school website https://www.hitchinboys.co.uk

HBS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All staff will be subject to an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service.

HBS is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Please visit the school website https://www.hitchinboys.co.uk. for further information on our school