Finance Officer

Mercia Learning Trust; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercia Learning Trust is seeking a Finance Officer to join a centralised finance team based at Woodlands Primary School in Sheffield. The role focuses on data input in a busy financial environment, with opportunities for growth and development within the position.

You will support outstanding financial services across the trust schools, requiring attention to detail, accuracy, and strong communication with school staff and external partners.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have prior experience in a financial environment.
• Able to multitask and manage time effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Data entry and processing of financial transactions.
• Maintain high-volume transaction records with accuracy.
• Produce audit-ready financial information to the trust.

Job description

Salary:FTE Grade 5 £31,015 to £33,673 FTE

Contract term: 37 hours, 52 weeks permanent

Start date: As soon as possible

Closing date: Midnight Sunday 18 October 2026

Mercia Learning Trust

Mercia Learning Trust is a successful partnership of four primary and four secondary schools located in Sheffield. Established in 2012, with one secondary school, our trust has grown to serving over 6100 pupils, with over 800 staff.

Why do we exist?

• To empower everyone in our communities, especially the most disadvantaged, to succeed.

How do we behave?

• We are kind - showing care and supporting each other.
• We have integrity - doing the right thing and always putting children first.
• We work with diligence - overcoming obstacles and having no excuses.

What do we do?

• We run schools that focus on academic excellence, cultural capital and the development of character.

How will we succeed?

• A culture of excellence – high standards shaped by clarity, not control.
• Academic focus – empowering all children through an exceptional curriculum.
• Purposeful collaboration – relationships built on trust, reducing sub-optimisation and driving collective success.

Our staff are a crucial part of our trust, just like our pupils. We are devoted to recruiting, training, retaining and taking good care of our highly skilled and dedicated team.

The role

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Mercia Learning Trust finance team where we are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic finance officer. You will join a friendly team of staff with a strong ethic who deliver outstanding financial services to all trust schools.

We are a centralised team who work at our finance office, based at Woodlands Primary School.

The candidate

Candidates must have prior experience in a financial environment. Initially, the focus of the role will involve data input though there is significant potential for growth and development within the position.

The successful candidate will be required to multitask and manage their time effectively. Our trust produces outstanding audit reports from external accountants, you will therefore need to have excellent attention to detail and will be able to process high volumes of transactions accurately.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for regular interactions with school staff, external suppliers and other central teams within our trust.