School Finance Officer

Smile Education; Redditch; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Smile Education are recruiting an experienced Finance Officer to start immediately at a welcoming secondary school in Bartley Green. The role covers accounts payable/receivable, payroll, reconciliations and financial reporting to support the school’s finances.

You will maintain records, process invoices and payments, coordinate budgets, and respond to routine finance enquiries. The ideal candidate will have finance experience and ideally an AAT qualification or progress towards one.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Finance Officer, Finance Assistant, Accounts Assistant or similar role.
• Sound understanding of financial processes and accounting principles.
• Experience with purchase and sales ledgers, reconciliations and general finance administration.
• Exposure to payroll processes and financial reporting is desirable.
• Willingness to safeguard and comply with regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day finance administrative support.
• Process invoices, purchase orders, expenses and payments accurately.
• Maintain accurate financial records and finance databases.
• Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable processes.
• Carry out regular bank, supplier, and ledger reconciliations.
• Support payroll administration and related changes.
• Assist with budget monitoring and month-end procedures.
• Produce finance reports and financial data for senior management.
• Respond to finance queries from staff, suppliers, and managers.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and regulations.
• Assist with audits and provide financial documentation when required.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Discretion

Proactive & adaptable

Education

AAT qualification (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Finance systems

Job description

Smile Education are currently recruiting for an experiencedFinance Officerto start immediately at a welcomingSecondary School in Bartley Green.

The successful applicant will be responsible for providing comprehensive finance support across the school, ensuring financial processes are delivered efficiently, accurately, and in line with relevant financial regulations and school policies. This will include supporting accounts payable and receivable, processing invoices and payments, maintaining accurate financial records, assisting with payroll and reconciliations, and responding to general finance enquiries.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and professional finance team within a well-establishedschool. The expected salary range for the role is between£16.00 - £18.00 per hour, depending on experience.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Providing day-to-day finance administrative and operational support.
• Processing invoices, purchase orders, expenses, and payments accurately and efficiently.
• Maintaining accurate financial records and finance databases.
• Assisting with accounts payable and accounts receivable processes.
• Carrying out regular bank, supplier, and ledger reconciliations.
• Supporting payroll administration and processing contractual or payroll-related changes.
• Assisting with budget monitoring, financial reporting, and month-end procedures.
• Producing finance reports and financial data for senior management.
• Responding to finance queries from staff, suppliers, and managers in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensuring compliance with financial policies, procedures, and relevant regulations.
• Supporting the preparation of audits and providing financial documentation when required.
• Maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive financial and employee information.
• Working collaboratively with managers, external suppliers, auditors, and other agencies where required.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Have previous experience working within aFinance Officer, Finance Assistant, Accounts Assistant, or similar role.
• Hold or be working towards anAAT qualificationor another relevant finance qualification (desirable).
• Have a sound understanding of financial processes, accounting principles, and best practice.
• Have experience with purchase ledger, sales ledger, reconciliations, and general finance administration.
• Be highly organised with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be able to manage confidential financial information with discretion and professionalism.
• Have strong IT skills, includingMicrosoft Excel, Microsoft Office, and finance/accounting systems.
• Be proactive, adaptable, and able to prioritise

We are committed to safeguarding children. Each applicant will be expected to undertake compliance checks including Prohibited list, Barred list, DBS and Qualifications.