School Finance Assistant — Detail‑Oriented & CPD‑Focused

The Sutton Academy; England; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

25 days annual leave (30 after 5 years

TCAT+ rewards platform and wellbeing

Employee Assistance Programme

CPD framework Education Connect & NA

DBS Enhanced Disclosure

Job summary

The Sutton Academy is seeking a Finance Assistant to join our business support team. You will manage purchase orders, supplier invoices, card reconciliations and Arbor Pay queries while collaborating with the Cluster Finance Manager and Finance Officer.

You will handle day-to-day processing, month-end reconciliations and ensure payments and records are accurate and compliant. This role requires attention to detail and a collaborative approach to school financial operations.

Qualifications

• Experience of financial procedures, controls, processes and reconciliations.
• Accounts payable experience, handling supplier invoices and purchase orders.
• Experience working in a busy finance office environment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of ICT and financial management systems (e.g. Arbor, Civica Financials, Microsoft Office).
• Excellent organisational skills, strong numeracy and literacy.
• Ability to work accurately to strict deadlines with high attention to detail.
• Effective communication with staff, suppliers and external organisations.
• A strong team player who supports colleagues when required.
• AAT part-qualified (Level 2/3 or equivalent).
• GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Mathematics and English (or equivalent).
• Commitment to personal development.

Responsibilities

• Process supplier invoices and purchase orders in Civica Financials; check entries for accuracy and secure budget-holder approvals for timely payment.
• Reconcile credit card transactions monthly and administer petty cash.
• Handle Arbor Pay online payment queries and related tasks.
• Assist with school bank administration, including regular cash reconciliation and deposits.
• Produce and collate finance reports from accounting software for the finance team and external auditors.
• Support month-end and year-end financial reconciliations and help maintain financial records in line with school policies.
• Support staff with purchasing processes and place orders when required.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional conduct in all finance duties

Skills

Accounts payable

Financial controls

Reconciliations

Arbor

Civica Financials

Microsoft Office

Organisational skills

Numeracy

Communication

Team player

AAT Level 2/3

GCSE Maths & English

Attention to detail

Personal development

Education

AAT Level 2/3 or equivalent

GCSE Mathematics and English

Tools

Arbor

Civica Financials

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Sutton Academy is seeking a Finance Assistant to join our business support team. You will manage purchase orders, supplier invoices, card reconciliations and Arbor Pay queries while collaborating with the Cluster Finance Manager and Finance Officer.

You will handle day-to-day processing, month-end reconciliations and ensure payments and records are accurate and compliant. This role requires attention to detail and a collaborative approach to school financial operations.