Finance Assistant | Vibrant & Inclusive Secondary School...

CORE PURPOSE

We are seeking an accurate, detail-oriented Finance Assistant to support the effective day-to-day financial operations of our school. Working closely with the Finance Manager and School Business Manager, the successful candidate will manage income and expenditure, process purchase orders and invoices, conduct bank reconciliations, and help ensure robust financial compliance across all school accounts.

THE SCHOOL

Set in a bright, modern Inner London campus featuring specialist creative learning hubs, high-tech administrative suites, and vibrant student spaces, this energetic secondary school serves a diverse community of over 900 pupils. The school combines high academic aspirations with a warm, inclusive ethos. The finance and operations department functions as a vital administrative hub, utilizing cloud-based accounting platforms and digital procurement systems to maintain transparent, efficient, and smooth financial management across all school departments.

KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS

• Accounts Payable & Receivable: Process supplier invoices, issue purchase orders, manage sales ledger entries, and prepare regular payment runs in accordance with internal financial controls.

• Banking & Reconciliations: Perform weekly bank reconciliations, manage petty cash disbursements, and process incoming funds from online parent payment systems.

• Budget Monitoring Support: Assist department heads with budget queries, log expense claims, and support the Finance Manager in preparing monthly management accounts.

• Audit & Compliance Assistance: Maintain organized financial records, audit trails, and documentation to support annual statutory financial audits and local authority reporting.

• Financial Queries & Administration: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal staff, suppliers, and external partners regarding financial and invoicing queries.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

• Qualifications: AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Foundation/Intermediate certification (Level 2 or 3) or equivalent qualification in bookkeeping, finance, or business administration.

• Experience: Proven experience in a finance, accounting, or administrative assistant role—ideally within a school, academy trust, local authority, or public sector setting.

• Skills: Strong numerical accuracy, proficiency with school finance software (e.g., SIMS FMS, Access Education, Sage, or Xero), excellent organizational skills, and proficiency in MS Excel.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

• Local Area & Community: Based in the creative and culturally rich Inner London borough of Hackney, the school serves an ambitious, diverse, and dynamic local community. Known for its thriving arts scene, bustling street markets like Broadway Market, historic town halls, and pleasant green spaces such as London Fields, Victoria Park, and Clissold Park, Hackney offers a vibrant environment for staff and families.

• Transport & Commuting: Hackney boasts outstanding transport connections, bounded by major thoroughfares including the A10 (Kingsland Road) and A12 corridors. Public transit links are exceptionally comprehensive, served by extensive London Overground routes (Hackney Central, Hackney Downs, Dalston Junction), London Underground connections via nearby Stratford and Old Street, and dense London Bus networks providing rapid access into the City of London and West End.

APPLICATION INTAKE

Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.