Finance Officer - Nottingham

The Opportunity

Nottingham is a city known for its vibrant economy and pioneering spirit, and our school is looking for a meticulous and proactive Finance Officer to join our operational team. In an increasingly complex educational landscape, sound financial management is the foundation that allows our teachers and students to succeed. This role is perfect for a professional who enjoys working with numbers and understands that behind every budget line is a resource that supports a young person’s future. You will play a vital role in ensuring the school’s resources are managed with the highest levels of integrity and efficiency.

The Finance and Operations Team

The Finance department is a core pillar of the school’s administration, working at the heart of our daily operations. You will work closely with the School Business Manager and the Senior Leadership Team to maintain a robust and transparent financial environment.

You will join a professional and supportive team that values accuracy and collaboration. We pride ourselves on maintaining clear processes that allow for the smooth running of the school, from procurement to payroll. We provide a modern working environment, access to the latest financial management software, and a commitment to your professional development, ensuring you are supported in staying up to date with the latest educational funding regulations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

As the Finance Officer, you will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the school’s financial systems. Your responsibilities will include:

• Transactional Processing: Managing the school’s accounts payable and receivable, ensuring all invoices are processed accurately and payments are made to suppliers in a timely manner.

• Budget Monitoring: Assisting the School Business Manager in monitoring departmental budgets, providing regular updates to Heads of Department to ensure resources are utilized effectively and within limits.

• Income Management: Overseeing the collection and recording of all school income, including government grants, lettings, and parental contributions via digital payment platforms.

• Procurement and Value: Processing purchase orders and researching suppliers to ensure the school consistently achieves value for money on all goods and services.

• Bank Reconciliation: Carrying out regular bank reconciliations and maintaining accurate records of the school’s cash flow and petty cash accounts.

• Payroll Assistance: Supporting the administrative elements of the monthly payroll process, ensuring that variations such as overtime or unpaid leave are recorded accurately.

• Audit and Compliance: Maintaining financial records to an audit-ready standard, ensuring that all practices comply with the school’s financial regulations and national accounting standards.

• Student Activity Support: Managing the financial administration of school trips and extracurricular activities, including tracking payments and coordinating with trip leaders.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be a highly organized professional with a passion for precision and a high degree of numeracy. You should possess:

• Financial Experience: Proven experience in an accounts or finance role, ideally within an educational setting or a busy public sector environment.

• Technical Proficiency: Strong skills in Microsoft Excel and experience using financial management software (such as FMS, Sage, or Xero).

• Attention to Detail: An unwavering commitment to accuracy and the ability to maintain meticulous records under the pressure of monthly deadlines.

• Communication Skills: The ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-specialist colleagues and maintain professional relationships with external suppliers.

• Integrity and Discretion: A high level of professional integrity and a clear understanding of the need for confidentiality when handling sensitive financial and personnel data.

• Organization: The ability to manage a varied workload, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet the cyclical demands of the school year.

Why Join Our School?

Working as a Finance Officer in Nottingham offers a stable and rewarding career path within a community-focused environment. Benefits include:

• Professional Investment: Access to specialized training in school finance and opportunities to pursue further accountancy qualifications.

• A Supportive Workplace: Join a team where your technical expertise is recognized as essential to the school’s mission.

• Stability and Benefits: A permanent position with a consistent schedule and access to the local government pension scheme.

• City Connection: The opportunity to work in a dynamic city with excellent transport links and a supportive network of educational professionals.

How to Apply

To apply for this Finance Officer position in Nottingham, please submit your CV.