Finance Officer

Pertemps Education Network; City Of London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational trust in the City of London is seeking a Finance Officer to support financial processing and management. The role involves handling accounts payable, payroll support, and collaborating on budget activities. Candidates should have an AAT qualification or equivalent and experience working with financial procedures in an educational environment. Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• AAT qualification (minimum) or another professional accountancy qualification.
• Understanding of purchase order and invoice payment processes.
• Strong computer literacy, including spreadsheets and Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Support the Trust Finance Manager by ensuring accurate processing and reporting of transactions.
• Manage accounts payable, including billing processes and inquiries.
• Assist with payroll and year-end financial processes.

Skills

Excellent numeracy and literacy skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Ability to present and interpret financial data

Creative and proactive problem-solving approach

Strong organizational skills

Education

AAT qualification or equivalent

Minimum of five GCSEs including English and Mathematics

Tools

SIMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Finance Officer – Job Description

Finance Officer reports directly to the Trust Finance Manager.

Working Time: 35 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Contract: 1 year.

Salary: £37,509-£38,637 pa.

Job Purpose

To support the Trust Finance Manager by ensuring the accurate, efficient, and timely processing, monitoring, analysis, and reporting of both local and central financial transactions.

To take responsibility for accounts payable, related financial transactions, journal posting, online banking, and BACS payment processes.

To manage monthly payroll routines in collaboration with the outsourced payroll provider and the Finance Operations Manager.

To support departmental budget holders in routine financial management, including the budgeting and income collection for school trips and journeys.

Key Responsibilities – Financial Processing and Data Management

• Enter routine data and journal entries into the finance system.
• Receive purchase requisitions, raise purchase orders, and process invoices in line with the Federation Finance Manual and the scheme of delegation.
• Process cash and banking transactions, including bank reconciliations, BACS runs, receipts, and payments.
• Prepare monthly account reconciliations for bank and control accounts.

Financial Monitoring and Reporting

• Assist the Finance Operations Manager with monitoring, analysing, and reporting on financial processes and transactions, with particular emphasis on weekly payment runs and purchase order commitments.
• Support monthly budget monitoring and reporting activities.
• Interrogate the finance system to reconcile payments and commitments, monitor progress, and maintain accurate financial records.

Trips, Lettings, and Income Management

• Manage financial processes related to school trips, including receiving parent contributions via ParentMail or BACS.
• Oversee debtor recovery and credit control, liaising with families to resolve outstanding balances.
• Maintain detailed lettings and hirings records, generate sales invoices, and pursue late payments.
• Communicate with the Lettings Officer and Premises Manager to ensure additional charges (e.g., damages) are correctly invoiced.

Supplier & Stakeholder Support

• Resolve account queries from staff and suppliers, escalating issues to the Finance Operations Manager where appropriate.
• Ensure accurate use of financial coding; recommend new codes or the removal of redundant ones.
• Review and challenge invoice discrepancies and request proof of delivery where required.
• Provide financial advice and support to budget holders.

Payroll & Year-End Support

• Support the Trust Finance Manager with payroll, pensions, and staff expense administration.
• Assist with year-end financial processes, including account closures, reconciliation of central and local transactions, identification of accruals and prepayments, and resolution of outstanding commitments.

General Duties

• Maintain organised records and filing systems in line with data protection regulations.
• Assist with audit, financial, and administrative tasks as directed by the Trust Finance Manager.
• Attend school events as required.
• Participate in school emergency procedures, including supporting evacuation processes and documentation.
• Deliver training to staff within areas of responsibility to ensure understanding of finance procedures and regulations.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• AAT qualification (minimum) or another professional accountancy qualification; NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience (desirable).
• Minimum of five GCSEs, including English and Mathematics.

Knowledge

• Understanding of purchase order and invoice payment processes.
• Awareness of safeguarding requirements within an educational environment.

Experience

• Providing budget management and reporting support.
• Working with financial procedures relating to orders, payments, and reconciliations.
• Strong computer literacy, including spreadsheets and Microsoft Office applications.
• Building effective internal and external working relationships.

Skills

• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills, with the ability to process information logically.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills across all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to present, interpret, and analyse financial data accurately.
• Creative and proactive approach to problem‑solving.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads effectively.
• Ability to work flexibly and maintain confidentiality at all times.

Personal Qualities

• Effective team player with a positive attitude.
• Demonstrates resilience, motivation, and commitment to professional excellence.
• Dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students.
• Willingness to undertake training and continuous development.

Circumstances

• Flexible approach to working hours to meet the needs of the finance team.

About you

• Experience working within a school environment.
• Must have experience using SIMS, Arbor, BROMCOM or similar.
• A valid DBS on the DBS update service.
• Experience of monitoring and logging attendance.

How to apply

You can apply for this role below or get in touch with us directly. All applicants require the appropriate qualifications, and all teachers require a formally‑recognised teaching qualification.

If you are not contacted within 2 working days, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful for this role.

All candidates must have a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting work. Full assistance provided.