Finance Officer

Tradewind Recruitment; Blackpool; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job description

Secondary School Finance Officer - Blackpool, UK

Are you a detail-oriented and experienced Finance Officer looking for a rewarding opportunity in a secondary school in Blackpool, UK? Do you have a strong understanding of school finances and excellent organisational skills? If so, we want to hear from you!

The Role:

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Finance Officer to join our administrative team in our secondary school in Blackpool, UK. You will play a vital role in managing the school's financial processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficient resource allocation to support the school's educational objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Manage the school's accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial regulations and school policies in the UK.
2. Prepare and monitor budgets, financial forecasts, and monthly reports for senior leadership.
3. Process and reconcile invoices, payments, and receipts in a timely and accurate manner.
4. Administer the school's payroll, ensuring accurate and timely payment of staff salaries, taxes, and pensions (experience essential).
5. Assist with the preparation for audits and end-of-year financial procedures in line with UK regulations.
6. Maintain accurate financial records, both manual and electronic, using relevant Financial Management Systems (FMS) such as SIMS or Sage (experience essential).
7. Liaise with suppliers, parents/carers, and external agencies on financial matters.
8. Ensure compliance with all relevant financial legislation and reporting standards in the UK education sector.
9. Assist with the management of school funds and petty cash.
10. Undertake relevant training and professional development as required within the UK education context.
11. Adhere to all school policies and procedures, including data protection and confidentiality guidelines in the UK.

About You:

1. Proven experience working as a Finance Officer, ideally within a school or educational setting in the UK.
2. Strong understanding of financial procedures and regulations relevant to UK schools.
3. Experience in payroll management, including processing salaries, taxes, and pensions (essential).
4. Proficiency in using Financial Management Systems (FMS) such as SIMS, Sage, or similar (essential).
5. Excellent numeracy and analytical skills with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
6. Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
7. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders.
8. A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.

Desirable:

1. Relevant accounting qualifications (e.g., AAT Level 2 or above).
2. Experience with budget preparation and monitoring in a school environment in the UK.
3. Knowledge of local government finance regulations relevant to schools in the UK.
4. Experience with online banking systems and payment platforms used in UK schools.

Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK

Contract Type: Full Time / Part Time / Permanent / Term Time (depending on the role)

Salary: up to 56k.

Start Date: September 2025 (or sooner for suitable candidates)

Benefits:

1. Opportunity to play a key role in the financial management of a secondary school in Blackpool, UK.
2. Supportive and collaborative working environment.
3. Potential for professional development.

How to Apply:

If you are a detail-oriented and experienced Finance Officer looking for a rewarding opportunity in a secondary school in Blackpool, UK, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and your suitability for this role to (url removed). Please include "Finance Officer Application - Blackpool" in the subject line.

Closing Date for Applications: Open ended.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post may be subject to an enhanced DBS check.