Finance Assistant (Temp or FTC)

Butler-Rose; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Butler Rose is recruiting a Finance Assistant for a central finance team in Plymouth. The role covers day-to-day financial administration, purchase orders, supplier payments and month-end processes within a multi-academy context.

You will support the Trust Management Accountant and finance team, ensuring accurate records and strong governance across schools. AAT2 and GCSEs are preferred, with Excel and finance systems experience essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in finance or accounts environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Process purchase orders, invoices and supplier payments.
• Set up new suppliers and verify banking information.
• Reconcile supplier statements and investigate missing invoices.
• Manage finance-related emails and upload invoices/credit notes.
• Monitor expenditure across utilities and other costs.
• Process employee expense claims per policy.
• Upload and check credit card transactions.
• Support month-end and year-end activities.
• Assist with audits and financial documentation.
• Support income-related activities and sales invoice requests.
• Liaise with school staff on purchase orders and costings.
• Assist with educational trips administration.

Skills

Finance experience

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Time management

Teamwork

Education

AAT Level 2 or equivalent

GCSE Maths and English

Tools

Excel

Finance systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Finance Assistant (Temp or FTC) (263133133) Plymouth, England

Salary: GBP25000 - GBP26000 per annum

Location: PlymouthSalary:£26,000Contract: Fixed Term until 31st August 2027 Hours: 37 hours per week, full year (52 weeks) Start Date:ASAP

Butler Rose is delighted to be supporting a highly respected multi-academy trust in the recruitment of a Finance Assistant to join their central finance function based in Plymouth.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and wants to play a key role in supporting the financial operations of a growing educational organisation. The successful candidate will work closely with the Trust Management Accountant and wider finance team, helping to ensure efficient financial processes and strong financial governance across multiple schools and academies.

The Role

As Finance Assistant, you will provide day-to-day financial administration and transactional support, ensuring that financial records are maintained accurately and in line with established procedures and controls.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Processing purchase orders, invoices and supplier payments.
• Setting up new suppliers and verifying banking information in accordance with fraud prevention procedures.
• Reconciling supplier statements and investigating outstanding or missing invoices.
• Managing finance-related email correspondence and uploading invoices and credit notes for processing.
• Monitoring and analysing expenditure across utilities, agency staffing and other operational costs.
• Reviewing and processing employee expense claims in line with organisational policies.
• Uploading and checking company credit card transactions.
• Supporting month-end and year-end finance activities.
• Assisting with audit requirements through the preparation of financial documentation and reports.
• Processing sales invoice requests and supporting income-related activities.
• Reviewing outstanding goods received notes and purchase orders, liaising with school-based staff where required.
• Supporting the administration of educational trips, including validation of associated costings.
• Building effective relationships with stakeholders across schools, academies and central services teams.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have previous finance experience and a strong eye for detail, coupled with excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

You will ideally possess:

• AAT Level 2 qualification or equivalent finance experience.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
• Experience working within a finance or accounts environment.
• Good working knowledge of finance systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently whilst also contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• A professional, reliable and proactive approach to work.

Experience within the education, academy, charity or public sector environment would be advantageous, as would studying towards or holding an AAT Level 3 qualification.

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to join a supportive and collaborative finance team.
• Exposure to a varied and interesting finance role.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• A chance to make a meaningful contribution to the education sector.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Please note that this position will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and safeguarding requirements.

Butler Rose is committed to equality in the workplace and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.