Senior Finance Assistant

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent educational institution in Ipswich is seeking a Senior Finance Assistant to support the Finance Manager. The role includes managing finance functions like transactional processes and ledgers. Applicants should be AAT qualified or have equivalent experience in financial transactions. Benefits include 30 days of paid holiday, a pension scheme, and access to health support.

Benefits

30 days' paid holiday

Pension scheme with 10% employer contributions

Access to Smarthealth well-being app

Cycle to Work Scheme

Free lunch during term time

Qualifications

• Proven experience in transactional finance processes.
• Ability to manage purchase and sales ledgers effectively.

Responsibilities

• Support the Finance Manager in finance functions.
• Handle full cycle of purchase and sales ledgers.
• Contribute to month-end close processes.

Skills

AAT qualified or equivalent financial experience

Experience handling high volume of financial transactions

Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Job description

Overview

Ipswich School have the exciting opportunity to join the Finance Department as a Senior Finance Assistant.

Ipswich School is an independent school in Ipswich, Suffolk. The school caters for pupils from 3 months to 19 years, is co-educational, and operates a 5-day week. The Finance Department supports the non-academic operation of the school year-round.

Position details

• Employer: Ipswich School
• Address: Henley Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3SG
• Salary: £30,000 per annum
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
• Contract: Permanent, required as soon as possible
• Reference: 7858

Your duties

The Senior Finance Assistant will support the Finance Manager in the effective and efficient operation of the school's finance functions. Your duties will include:

• Day-to-day transactional processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and excellent service
• Handling the full cycle of purchase and sales ledgers, managing all aspects of fee billing, and performing bank reconciliations
• Contributing to the month-end close process, assisting with accruals, prepayments, and other essential journal entries

You should be AAT qualified (or have equivalent financial experience) and have proven experience in handling a high volume of financial transactions and reconciliations. The role offers a balance of hands-on responsibilities and supervisory duties, with opportunities to develop and support your team while ensuring smooth operation of the department's core functions.

Hours of work and benefits

• This is a permanent post (subject to satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period).
• Core working hours are 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, with 37.5 hours per week.
• 30 days' paid holiday per year, plus public holidays.
• Defined contribution pension scheme after 3 months' service with 10% employer contributions, and 3x death in service life cover.
• Fee remission may be available for eligible pupil vacancies.
• Salaries paid monthly in arrears by BACS on the last working day of each month.
• Free lunch in the school dining hall during term time when the kitchen is operating.
• Access to Smarthealth, the school wellbeing app with 24/7 GP access and mental health support.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

How to apply and key dates

For more information, please visit our website. Contact the HR Team at 01473 408300 or [e-mail]. Applications can be submitted via the vacancies page on our website, or by post to: The Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG. Closing date: 12pm, 6 October 2025. Interview date: 10 October 2025.

Please advise us of any special requirements for interview. Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.