Finance Officer

The Harrodian School; Camden Town; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harrodian School in Barnes, South West London, seeks a Finance Officer to support the Finance Director in daily operations and ensure accurate financial processing. You will handle both purchase and sales ledgers, VAT reviews, and bank reconciliations within a busy school environment.

Ideal candidates will have school finance experience and be confident with Sage 200 and SIMS, along with strong IT skills and a collaborative, discreet approach to handling sensitive data.

Qualifications

• Experience in school-based finance is essential.
• Experience with Sage 200 Professional and Scopay/Stripe is desirable.
• A finance or accounting qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Enter supplier invoices and expense claims onto Sage 200 and ensure orders and VAT are correctly processed.
• Maintain the Sales Ledger, bill termly charges, manage Direct Debit collections and respond to fee queries.
• Reconcile bank accounts, process Government support schemes, and provide ad hoc finance support to the Finance Director.

Skills

Attention to detail

Financial numeracy

Organisation

Communication skills

IT skills

Collaborative & flexible

Education

Finance or accounting qualification

Tools

Sage 200

SIMS

Scopay

Stripe

Job description

Job Title: Finance Officer

Location: Barnes, South-west London, SW13 9QN

Salary: Competitive

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

About Harrodian School

The Harrodian School is a prestigious, selective independent co-educational day school located on a stunning 25-acre riverside estate in Barnes, South West London. Founded in 1993 on the former site of the Harrods staff sports club, the school offers a seamless all-through education for nearly 1,040 pupils aged 4 to 18.

Candidates should check that they live within a commutable distance before applying for this role.

About the Role

The purpose of the role is to support the Finance Director in the day-to-day operation of the Finance Department, ensuring accurate financial processing and the efficient running of finance functions.

Ideally the right candidate will have experience within a similar School finance position and be confident with Sage 200 and SIMS.

Responsibilities

Purchase Ledger

• Enter supplier invoices and expense claims onto SAGE 200.
• Ensure delivery notes are signed to confirm receipt of goods and that order numbers are quoted.
• Match delivery notes with supplier invoices and match supplier invoices to Purchase Orders; liaise with suppliers and internal departments regarding discrepancies.
• Reconcile invoices with supplier statements prior to payment.
• Assist with quarterly VAT reviews of the Purchase Ledger, ensuring the accurate identification of recoverable and non-recoverable VAT.
• Submit daily cheque listings to the bank.
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of the new Purchase Order system.

Sales Ledger

• Maintain the Sales Ledger, including production of termly bills and additional charges.
• Manage Direct Debit collections, including monitoring successful and failed payments and following up with parents where required.
• Process and allocate fee receipts in Sage 200.
• Handle fee queries from parents, contacting staff and the Headteacher where necessary, resolving the issue and responding formally to parents.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR requirements when handling financial and personal data.
• Control and manage the debtors list, including debt recovery and the application of interest charges.
• Regular reconciliation of the bank account.
• Process Government support schemes, including EHCP funding.
• Issue non-school-fee invoices as required.

Other Duties

• Data entry using Excel, Sage 200 and other software packages, e.g. Scopay.
• Attend departmental meetings as required
• Contribute to the smooth running of the Accounts department
• Participate in staff training, regular staff meetings, INSET days and other professional activities.
• Undertake any additional duties reasonably requested by the line manager that fall within the scope of the role.
• Provide ad hoc finance support to the Finance Director as required.

Job descriptions are subject to regular review at the discretion of the School.

About you

Skills - Essential

• Attention to detail
• Financially numerate
• Organised and efficient
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent IT skills (Office, Excel, SIMs)
• Collaborative and flexible

Personal Qualities - Essential

• Kind, patient and discreet
• Calm under pressure
• Professional and reliable
• Uses initiative and takes responsibility
• Reflective and willing to improve

Experience

• School-based finance experience, including the billing of school fees, is essential.
• Experience of Sage 200 Professional and Scopay/Stripe is desirable.
• A finance or accounting qualification is desirable.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment.

Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles of; Finance Administrator, Invoicing, Accounts, Finance Assistant, Account Assistant, Accounts Administrator, Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger, Financial Assistant, Accounts Administrator, Accounts Clerk, Finance Clerk, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit Control will be considered for this role.