Finance Officer – Elite Secondary School - Leeds

Marchant Recruitment; Ledston; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Marchant Recruitment is seeking a dedicated Finance Officer for a prominent secondary school in Leeds. You will support day-to-day financial management, budget monitoring, and reporting to senior leaders, ensuring accuracy and compliance with academy financial policies.

The role requires an organised, analytical mindset, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work with budget holders across the school. Immediate start and full-time hours are available.

Qualifications

• Organised and proactive finance professional
• Experience in education sector finance advantageous
• Strong analytical and attention to detail
• Ability to work with multiple budget holders and senior leaders

Responsibilities

• Assist with monthly management accounts and budget monitoring information for senior leaders and Governors
• Monitor income and expenditure, investigate variances and liaise with budget holders
• Support preparation of annual budgets, multi-year forecasts and cash flow projections
• Oversee day-to-day financial administration including invoices, supplier payments and reconciliations
• Assist with payroll reconciliations, year-end procedures and external audits

Skills

Budget monitoring

Financial reporting

Account reconciliations

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Experience in school finance

Job description

Location: Leeds
Contract: Full-Time
Start Date: ASAP

Are you an organised and proactive finance professional looking for your next opportunity within the education sector? A vibrant and highly regarded secondary school in Leeds is seeking a dedicated Finance Officer to join its central finance team on a full-time basis, starting immediately.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to play a key role in supporting the school's financial operations, ensuring effective budget management, accurate financial reporting and strong financial controls.

About the Role

As Finance Officer, you will support the day-to-day financial management of the school, working closely with senior leaders, Headteachers and budget holders to maintain accurate financial records, monitor expenditure and support effective financial planning.

You will contribute to the preparation of management accounts, annual budgets and financial forecasts, while ensuring compliance with relevant financial policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing monthly management accounts, financial reports and budget monitoring information for senior leaders and Governors.

• Monitor income and expenditure, investigate budget variances and liaise with budget holders to resolve discrepancies.

• Support the preparation of annual budgets, multi-year financial forecasts and cash flow projections.

• Oversee day-to-day financial administration, including purchase orders, invoices, supplier payments, reconciliations and maintaining accurate financial records.

• Assist with payroll reconciliations, year-end procedures, external audits and statutory financial returns.

• Ensure compliance with financial policies, internal controls and applicable academy finance regulations, promoting value for money and the responsible use of public funds.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be organised, analytical and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet financial deadlines. They will possess strong communication skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the school.

Previous experience in a finance role, ideally within a school, academy or multi-academy trust, would be advantageous.