Finance Officer - Accounts Receivable

Merton College; Tadworth; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave 27 days

Pension scheme contribution

Subsidised sports facilities

Professional development & training

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Merton College is seeking a Finance Officer to join our busy Accounts Receivable and Credit Control team. You will chase outstanding debt, process transactions and maintain the Sales Ledger in line with financial procedures.

You will generate invoices, receipt cash and payments, and liaise with budget holders to resolve queries. Strong IT skills with Excel, Word, Outlook and accounting software are essential, plus accurate, deadline‑driven work.

Qualifications

• Experience in credit control processes.
• Strong IT proficiency including Adobe, Excel, Outlook, Word and accounting software.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Chase outstanding debt and maintain the Sales Ledger in line with procedures.
• Generate sales invoices from invoice requisitions and record cash receipts.
• Receipting cash, card and cheque payments for banking and reconcile payments.
• Assist with petty cash till during payment claims when required.
• Liaise with budget holders to resolve customer and student queries.

Skills

Credit control

Customer service

Attention to detail

IT literacy

Communication

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

Excel

Outlook

Word

Accounting software

Job description

Merton College is looking for a Finance Officer to join a busy Accounts Receivable and Credit Control team, with responsibility for chasing outstanding debt, processing transactions and maintaining the Sales Ledger database in line with the Group's financial procedures and regulations.

You’ll liaise with budget holders and internal teams to resolve queries raised by customers and students and will generate sales invoices from invoice requisitions, ensuring the sales ledger is updated with all cash receipts. You’ll be responsible for receipting cash, credit card and cheque payments for banking, in accordance with Finance operating procedures, and you’ll operate the petty cash till for payment claims when required.

We’re seeking a candidate with proven experience in credit control processes and a strong background in dealing directly with customers, including handling a wide range of customer queries. Our ideal applicant will be an excellent team player who is able to manage deadlines effectively while juggling multiple tasks at once.

Strong attention to detail is essential, along with excellent organisational skills and the ability to work accurately, calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment. The role also requires strong IT proficiency, including confidence using Adobe, Excel, Outlook, Word and accounting software. In addition, outstanding communication skills both written and verbal, are required,

This role is based at Merton College in Morden, Surrey but there is an option for hybrid working (Merton College and Home) after successful completion of probationary period.

Closing date for the return of completed applications is 29th September 2026

• generous annual leave of 27 days
• up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year
• additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees' physical and mental health
• excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme)
• subsidised sports facilities
• professional development and training
• salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme

As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College and is one of London's largest providers of post-16 education and training. We are an ongoing and significant contributor to our local communities and put students' success at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to achieve and progress.