Finance Assistant

The Sir John Brunner Foundation; Northwich; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

The Sir John Brunner Foundation is seeking a Finance Assistant to join the Finance Transactions Team, providing financial and administrative support across accounts payable and receivable. You will handle purchase orders, match invoices to orders, set up payment items, record cashbook receipts, and respond to queries from academy staff and suppliers.

The role is based at The Chapel, central finance office, 2–3 days per week, term-time plus 2 weeks, with start date asap and closing date 30

Qualifications

• Enhanced DBS disclosure required.
• Satisfactory references.
• Experience in financial administration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial and administrative support to the Finance Transactions Team.
• Receive, prepare and send purchase orders; check budget balances and obtain approvals.
• Match incoming purchase invoices to relevant orders.
• Set up new payment items in online payments software; record cashbook receipts.
• Respond to queries from academy staff, budget holders, parents, and suppliers in a timely and professional manner.

Job description

Role: Finance Assistant

FTE Salary: Grade 5 (SCP 7 - SCP 11) £27,274 to £29,071

Contract type: Part time, Fixed-Term (As soon as possible until 31st March 2027) with the potential to turn Permanent

Working hours / Weeks: 15 or 22 hours per week (Term Time plus 2 weeks - 41 weeks)

Actual Salary for 15 hours per week: £9,784 to £10,665 Annually

Actual Salary for 22 hours per week: £14,351 to £15,642 Annually

Reporting to: Finance Transactions Team Manager

Start date: As soon as possible

About Us

This is an exciting time to be joining the Sir John Brunner Foundation. Our Multi-Academy Trust educates more than 4300 children and young people and employs over 450 professionals. Each of our academies operates at the heart of their local community.

Our mission is to enhance students’ lives through the highest standards of education underpinned by our Trust values of Excellence, Belonging and Partnership.

The Multi-Academy Trust incorporates:

• The County High School, Leftwich.
• Middlewich High School.
• Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College.
• Macclesfield Academy.

Also, from 1st November:

• Cuddington Primary School
• Hartford Primary School
• Little Leigh Primary School
• Sandiway Primary School

The Sir John Brunner Foundation has a proud legacy of educational excellence dating back to 1557. We remain firmly focused on children, providing a first-class experience that nurtures curiosity, confidence, and joy in learning. In working with our communities, we create an environment where every child feels valued, safe, and supported to reach their potential.

Each of our academies operates at the heart of their local communities. The Foundation’s central offices are based at Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College campus set in beautiful grounds where this role is based.

About the Role

This role is based at The Chapel at The Sir John Brunner Foundation (central finance office) and will work 2-3 days a week. Exact hours and working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate. This role will work term time plus 2 weeks and is not all year round.

The Finance Assistant is responsible for providing financial and administrative support to the Finance Transactions Team to ensure the delivery of effective and efficient financial services across the foundation.

Covering both Accounts Payable and Receivable, you will be required to receive, prepare, and send purchase orders, check budget balances, and obtain appropriate approvals, matching incoming purchase invoices to relevant orders.

You will also be required to set up new payment items in the online payments software; currently Arbor and Wisepay and record cashbook receipts in relation to distribution of funds by online payment providers; allocating against the correct activity codes in the finance system, currently PS Financials.

Responding to queries (by email, telephone, or in-person) from academy staff, budget holders, parents, and suppliers regarding financial matters in a timely and professional manner will form part of the duties.

Closing Date: Friday 30th October 2026 - 9am

Interview Date: W/C Monday 2nd November 2026

The foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant must have enhanced DBS disclosure and satisfactory references. The foundation is an equal opportunities employer.