Finance Officer

Trinity House Group; Stafford; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Trinity House Group recruits an interim Finance Officer to join its central finance team, based at a secondary school in Cheadle, Staffordshire. You will lead payroll checks, assist with budgets and month-end processes, and collaborate with HR and governance colleagues in a busy, supportive office.

Ideal candidates have payroll reconciliation experience in academy/public sector finance, with flexibility for immediate start and a pro-rata or full-time 37.5-hour week.

Qualifications

• Payroll knowledge from a finance perspective, including journals and salary reconciliations.
• Month end and budgeting experience.
• Resilience and a calm approach during busy periods.
• Strong attention to detail and genuine pride in getting it right.
• A team player who builds good relationships with school staff.
• Academy, school or public sector finance experience and software experience are bonuses.

Responsibilities

• Processing the payroll journal and completing monthly payroll checks.
• Reconciling payroll reports and completing the monthly salary reconciliation.
• Supporting school budgets and budget monitoring.
• Supporting the month end close down, journals and reconciliations.
• Acting as a point of contact for finance queries from schools.
• Supporting year end and audit, plus ad hoc finance tasks.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Month end experience

Budget monitoring

Attention to detail

Team player

Education

AAT Level 2 or 3

Tools

IMP

IRIS

Job description

• Payroll journal, payroll checks and the monthly salary reconciliation for a busy
• Supports school budgets and month end. IMP, IRIS or academy experience is a bonu
• Full time on site with agreed flexible start and finish times (30 hours consider

Finance Officer Academy Trust Cheadle, Staffordshire £34,811
Location: Cheadle, Staffordshire Moorlands (on site)
Contract: Interim, immediate start until end of August 2027
Salary: £34,811 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours (30 hours considered), with agreed flexible start and finish times
Sector: Education Multi Academy Trust

Trinity House Group is recruiting an interim Finance Officer to join the central finance team of a well established multi academy trust, based at one of its secondary schools in Cheadle, Staffordshire. This is a great opportunity for a school finance officer, academy finance assistant or public sector accounts professional with strong payroll reconciliation experience, looking for an immediate start and a varied, people focused role.
About the business The trust supports a large family of primary and secondary schools across Staffordshire, organised into regional finance teams. You will join the regional team covering schools around Cheadle, Leek, Uttoxeter, Stoke and Burton, providing a hands on finance service that schools rely on every day.
About the role Reporting to the Regional Finance Manager, you will be at the heart of payroll checks, budget support and month end for the region's schools. It is a busy, supportive team, and you will work alongside HR and governance colleagues in a shared office, with full training and induction provided.

Key responsibilities

• Processing the payroll journal and completing monthly payroll checks
• Reconciling payroll reports and completing the monthly salary reconciliation
• Supporting school budgets and budget monitoring
• Supporting the month end close down, journals and reconciliations
• Acting as a point of contact for finance queries from schools
• Supporting year end and audit, plus ad hoc finance tasks

What we are looking for

• Payroll knowledge from a finance perspective, including journals and salary reconciliations
• Month end and budgeting experience
• Resilience and a calm approach during busy periods
• Strong attention to detail and genuine pride in getting it right
• A team player who builds good relationships with school staff
• Academy, school or public sector finance experience, school pay scales, IMP or IRIS software, and AAT Level 2 or 3 are all a bonus but not essential. Qualified by experience candidates are very welcome

Why apply

• Competitive salary of £34,811 for the level of role
• Immediate start with a clear interim term to August 2027
• Flexible start and finish times by agreement
• Supportive line manager and on the job training
• Meaningful work supporting schools across Staffordshire
• Exposure to school budget meetings for your development