Finance Assistant

**About the organisation**:
Due to continued steady growth, we are delighted to present this incredible opportunity for you to join a great team of people in a supportive environment within the Head Office of a values-led organisation. Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) is one of the largest not-for-profit multi-academy trusts (MATs) in England. MATs are charities that run schools. We have been around since 2009 which makes us one of the longest established trusts. We are also one of the largest with almost 5,000 staff and 30,000 students. Our mission is to become the Trust that makes the biggest difference, both inside and outside the classroom.

OAT is a great organisation to work for. In return for your commitment to us we offer:

- excellent career prospects in a supportive environment
- commitment to your continued professional development
- membership of the Local Government Pension scheme
- generous staff discounts on hundreds of well known retail and leisure brands
- access to GPs and medical specialists
- counselling services for emotional support
- health, fitness and lifestyle guidance
- health cash plan for cash back on the costs of essential healthcare services (dentist, optician, etc.)

**About the job**:
We are looking for a Finance Assistant to assist the Finance Manager (Central) in the processing and control of the Trust’s purchase and sales ledger responsibilities. The successful applicant will provide effective administrative support to the Finance Manager (Central) to maintain the Trust's financial procedures and information systems, with particular regard to purchases and payments. This post is based at our offices based on the site of Ormiston NEW Academy in Wolverhampton. We are able to offer some degree of flexibility with a combination of working from home and working from the office.

**Main duties and responsibilities**:
The post holder will be expected to:

- Be responsible for the maintenance of the trust's purchase ledger:

- Monthly reconciliation of the trust purchase ledger to the purchase ledger control account
- Ensure that supplier invoices are paid on time
- Reconcile supplier statements and liaise with suppliers to resolve any mismatches
- Provide support as required to the head office and academy finance teams in managing the purchase ledger
- Assist the Finance Manager (Central) and Head of Finance with the distribution of monthly budgetary and spending reports
- Assist budget holders in understanding their monthly budget reports and statements.
- Maintain records for audit and support preparation for audit visit.
- Assist the Finance Manager (Central) and Head of Finance in the preparation of year end reports
- Use and manage relevant IT systems, producing reports and information as required
- Attend appropriate meetings where relevant and perform other ad-hoc duties when required
- Maintain effective and efficient management systems to support the work of the department
- To adhere at all times to the Trust’s policies and procedures
- Maintain confidentiality of information acquired in the course of undertaking duties
**About you**:
The successful applicant will have financial administration experience ideally in a school/education setting, be able to work well within and across teams and have a willingness to embrace and celebrate the ethos and values of OAT. A full job description and person specification is attached for further detail.
**How to apply**:

- OAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and the expectation is that all staff will share this commitment. Therefore, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a DBS check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)._