School Finance Assistant

Tradewind Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An education provider in Northampton is seeking an experienced School Finance Assistant specializing in Accounts Payable. This long-term role involves managing supplier invoices, payments, and reconciliations within a supportive school framework. The ideal candidate must have proven Accounts Payable experience, preferably in a school setting, and possess strong IT skills, particularly with finance software and Excel. This opportunity not only offers a collaborative work environment but also the chance for a permanent position for the right individual.

Qualifications

• Proven Accounts Payable experience is essential.
• Experience in a school or public-sector finance team is desirable.
• Strong IT skills and proficiency with finance software required.

Responsibilities

• Process high volumes of supplier invoices.
• Match purchase orders, delivery notes, and invoices.
• Manage supplier queries and ensure timely resolution.

Skills

Accounts Payable experience

Strong IT skills

Organisational skills

Clear communication skills

Tools

Finance software

Excel

Job description

School Finance Assistant - Accounts Payable

Location: Northampton
Start Date: ASAP
Contract: Long-term / Temp-to-Perm via Tradewind Recruitment
Experience: Must have previous Accounts Payable experience (school finance experience highly advantageous)

Are you an organised and detail-focused finance professional looking to bring your Accounts Payable expertise to a supportive and welcoming school environment? Tradewind Recruitment is working with a respected education provider in Northampton to appoint an experienced School Finance Assistant with strong competencies in Accounts Payable. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with precision, thrives in a structured role, and wants to contribute to the smooth financial operation of a busy school office.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the daily Accounts Payable function, ensuring all supplier invoices, payments, and reconciliations are completed accurately and on time. Because schools often work within tight financial frameworks and clear audit requirements, this role requires someone who is not only confident with financial systems but also able to work methodically, maintain meticulous records, and communicate effectively with internal staff and external suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Processing high volumes of supplier invoices
• Matching purchase orders, delivery notes, and invoices
• Managing supplier queries and ensuring timely resolution
• Preparing and processing payment runs
• Maintaining accurate financial records in line with audit expectations
• Supporting month-end tasks, including reconciliations and accruals
• Updating financial systems and databases with precision
• Assisting the wider finance team with general administrative and finance support

We're Looking For Someone With

• Proven Accounts Payable experience (essential-applications without this cannot be considered)
• Experience in a school, academy, MAT, or public-sector finance team (desirable)
• Strong IT skills, including confidence with finance software and Excel
• Excellent organisational skills and a methodical approach to work
• Clear communication skills and the ability to build positive working relationships
• Reliability, accuracy, and a strong sense of accountability

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Accounts Payable professional to join a friendly school community while developing their experience within the education sector. The role is offered on a long-term basis via Tradewind Recruitment, with the potential to transition into a permanent school position for the right candidate.

If you're ready to bring your skills to a rewarding and well-structured environment, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to be considered for immediate interview.