Finance Officer

MAGDALEN COLLEGE; Oxford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Oxford Location Allowance

OSPS pension scheme

Healthcare scheme

Bus pass/Cycle to work

Job summary

Magdalen College in Oxford seeks a Finance Officer to join a small Finance team responsible for financial records, student ledger administration, and data to support management accounts.

The role reports to the College Accountant and requires handling tuition, accommodation charges, and payroll cover as needed. Full-time, permanent position with attractive benefits in Central Oxford.

Qualifications

• Previous accounting experience in a finance office.
• AAT qualification or equivalent.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage student sales ledger and related accounting transactions.
• Post charges to students and fellows; prepare monthly statements.
• Maintain records in accounting software (Microsoft GP) and reconcile control accounts.
• Assist with internal controls, audits, and regulatory reporting.

Skills

Accounting experience

AAT qualified

Numerical analysis

IT skills (Excel, GP)

Education

AAT qualification

Tools

Microsoft GP

Excel

Job description

Finance Officer

Application Deadline: 18 September 2026

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Central Oxford

Reporting To: Helen Taylor

Compensation: £30,378 - £38,784 / year

Description

A full-time position of Finance Officer at Magdalen College has become available. This is an exciting opportunity to join a small Finance team responsible for maintaining the financial records of the College, with specific responsibility for the administration and smooth running of the student sales ledger (Batells) and for associated data to support the management accounts.

Finance Bursary

The role reports directly to the College Accountant. The Finance Bursary team consists of the College Accountant, Controller, Management Accountant and three Finance Officers. The department is responsible for ensuring that all financial transactions of the College are processed in a timely, efficient and accurate manner, and for all financial reporting and monitoring.

Main Duties of the Roles

The Finance Officer is a key member of the finance team and is primarily responsible for the administration and smooth running of the student sales ledger (Batells) function. This role will support the provision of excellent financial and management accounting services to internal and external customers and must ensure the accurate, efficient and timely processing of accounting transactions for the College and its subsidiaries. Ensure that key financial processes remain fit for purpose, and that good practice is identified and adopted.

Key Responsibilities

• The finance officer will be responsible for checking and posting all charges to students and fellows, preparation and distribution of monthly statements for fellows and termly statements for students.
• Be responsible for charging students with tuition fees, accommodation costs and associated charges.
• Dealing with day-to-day queries from students and providing a helpful and complete service to all our customers.
• This officer will need to respond quickly to emails and be supportive to students under financial pressures, acting as a point of contact on all student debt queries.
• Maintaining accurate records on the accounting software (Microsoft GP) and preparing monthly reconciliation of control accounts, aiding the production of reliable financial information.
• This role also covers control of the fellows’ research and computer allowances and posting internal charges.
• Termly reconciliation of tuition fees and supplying the University with financial support data.
• Assisting with the ongoing development and documentation of internal controls, systems and processes and maintenance of effective segregation of duties.
• Assisting with the preparations for audit of the College and its subsidiaries and help with the preparation and submission of various regulatory reporting.
• This role will act as cover for payroll and purchase ledger when the need arises and full training will be given if required.

General Responsibilities

• Provide the highest quality services and work to continually improve standards.
• Perform duties not specifically identified in the job description but which are in line with the general responsibilities of the post.
• Any other tasks, duties and responsibilities not listed above which can reasonably be expected to be performed or undertaken by a Finance Officer.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Previous accounting experience working in an Accounts Office with accounting and financial administration.
• Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualified or equivalent.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with an eye for detail.
• The successful applicant will need strong organisational skills, initiative, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team, to high professional standards and with great attention to detail.
• Time-management skills are likewise essential, since it is necessary to work to deadlines and knowing how to prioritise tasks.
• Good level of IT skills including Microsoft Excel and knowledge of Microsoft GP would be useful.
• A positive attitude is essential, a willingness to learn, and a passion for contributing to the team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to deal confidently and appropriately with a wide variety of people
• Flexible in their approach to work, with a co-operative attitude and willingness to complete work as required.

Benefits

• The salary range is £30,378 - £38,784 (Grade 5 of the college salary scales), depending on skills and experience, you will also be paid the Oxford Location Allowance of £1,730 per annum.
• The post is full time (37.5 hours per week).
• Holiday entitlement is 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
• The successful candidate will be entitled to membership of the University of Oxford Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS) and will be automatically enrolled subject to the rules for qualification of that scheme.
• The College also has a contributory healthcare scheme, bus pass purchase scheme, cycle to work scheme and car parking may be available.
• Free lunch in hall is provided when the College kitchen is open.
• There is free use of sports facilities.
• The College provides for maternity leave on a basis that exceeds the statutory provisions.
• Women are eligible for 26 weeks’ maternity leave on full pay, followed by 13 weeks of leave on Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and 13 weeks of unpaid maternity leave.
• Arrangements are available for Adoption Leave, Shared Parental Leave, and Paternity Leave.
• Magdalen College has a priority claim on four places in the University nurseries.

The College particularly welcomes applications from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates.