Finance Officer - Secondary School - Cambridge

Finance Officer – Secondary School – Cambridge

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Paid to scale

School Information

This is a well-established Secondary School in Cambridge , providing education for students across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. The school has a strong academic ethos alongside a clear commitment to student wellbeing, inclusion and personal development.

The school has an established finance and administration function that supports the day-to-day operation of the organisation. Financial accuracy, strong organisation and effective communication are important to the school's business operations.

The successful Finance Officer will work closely with the School Business Manager, senior leaders, administrative staff and external suppliers.

The school values its support staff and recognises the importance of an efficient finance function in ensuring that departments have the resources and information they need.

Finance Officer Role

The school is seeking a reliable and detail-focused Finance Officer to join its established finance team.

The successful candidate will support the daily financial administration of the school, including invoices, purchase orders, payments, reconciliations, financial records and budget monitoring.

The role will require someone who is comfortable working with figures and financial information while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

You will also communicate with suppliers and colleagues regarding financial queries, so a professional approach and strong communication skills are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the daily financial administration of the school.

• Process invoices and payment requests.

• Check invoices against purchase orders and supporting documentation.

• Assist with purchase orders and supplier payments.

• Maintain accurate financial records.

• Liaise with suppliers regarding invoice queries.

• Monitor outstanding invoices and payments.

• Process staff expenses and financial claims.

• Assist with bank and account reconciliations.

• Maintain supplier information.

• Support departmental budget monitoring.

• Prepare financial reports and information.

• Assist the School Business Manager with financial administration.

• Maintain electronic and paper financial records.

• Support monthly financial procedures.

• Assist with year-end processes.

• Prepare information for financial audits.

• Identify discrepancies and raise them appropriately.

• Ensure financial procedures are followed consistently.

• Handle confidential financial information.

• Respond to finance-related queries from staff.

• Support budget holders with routine financial administration.

• Maintain accurate filing systems.

• Meet agreed financial deadlines.

• Contribute to improving finance procedures.

• Support the wider administration team when required.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will have previous experience in finance, accounts or financial administration.

Experience within a school, college, academy, charity or public-sector environment would be advantageous, although candidates with strong commercial finance experience will also be considered.

You should be confident working with numerical information and have excellent attention to detail.

Good Excel skills are important, while experience using finance or accounting software would be beneficial.

You must be able to manage deadlines and work accurately even when dealing with a busy workload.

Requirements

• Previous finance or accounts administration experience.

• Strong numerical skills.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Good Microsoft Excel knowledge.

• Experience using accounting or financial systems.

• Strong organisational abilities.

• Ability to meet deadlines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Good problem-solving skills.

• Ability to identify financial discrepancies.

• Reliable and professional approach.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Previous school finance experience is desirable.

• AAT or relevant finance qualification is advantageous.

What the School Offers

• Full-time, permanent position.

• Established finance function.

• Supportive School Business Manager and leadership team.

• Professional working environment.

• Opportunities for training and development.

• Modern administrative facilities.

• Collaborative staff culture.

• Varied financial responsibilities.

• Opportunity to develop within a well-established school.

Application

To apply for the Finance Officer position, please send your CV as soon as possible.