Finance and Accounts Assistant

Job Title: Finance and Accounts Assistant

**Salary**: £29,000 - £31,000 depending on experience (pro rata)

Working Hours: Part time - 3 days

Working Weeks: 35 Weeks per year (plus inset days)

Contract: Permanent

Statutory Holiday entitlement: 6.6 weeks per year (pro rata)

**Main purpose of the role**:

- To maintain responsibility for the operational finances of the school, ensuring the maintenance of accurate accounts that adhere to best professional standards and comply with all statutory requirements, as well as internal systems and procedures.
- To provide comprehensive administrative support to the Head of Finance, facilitating efficient financial operations and communication within the department.
- To assist in the monitoring of budgets and forecasts, ensuring financial integrity and accountability throughout the school.
- By fulfilling these duties, the Finance Assistant plays a crucial role in the financial health and sustainability of the school.

**Main (Core) Responsibilities, Tasks and Duties**:
Maintain accurate accounts relating to the Nominal, Purchase, and Billing Ledgers through the effective utilisation of Engage accounting software. To additionally, perform comprehensive reconciliation procedures to ensure financial accuracy and alignment with organisational standards.

Ensure that all invoices and staff expenses are accurately entered into the designated budget codes. Additionally, confirm that each invoice has been authorised by the relevant budget holder prior to payment, ensuring compliance with financial protocols and maintaining effective budget management.

It is imperative to ensure that all invoices and staff expenses are processed and paid punctually, utilising either BACS or cash for transactions. Additionally, prior arrangements must be made with Governor approval to facilitate BACS payments. For cash payments, it is crucial to adhere strictly to the established school limits. Timely processing of these financial obligations is essential for maintaining the smooth operation of school activities and upholding financial responsibility.

Maintain comprehensive monthly reconciliations of the bank accounts, ensuring all transactions are accurately recorded and the accounts are effectively managed and monitored.

To be responsible for reconciling all cash transactions within the school, ensuring accurate weekly reconciliations are maintained for financial integrity and accountability.

Oversight of daily purchase requests and purchase orders submitted by staff to ensure efficient procurement operations within the school.

Assisting the Finance Manager with the termly billing of school fees, including the collection of requisite data for this process.
- To maintain credit control in respect of school fees and in liaison with the Finance Manager chase outstanding debts.
- Assist with the finance of school trips by ensuring payments are collected in advance, non-payments are pursued, and Excel spreadsheets are maintained for each trip.
- Assist with the year-end procedure by collating requests and reports from auditors to ensure a seamless and efficient completion of the annual financial process.
- To support the Finance Manager by assisting with the administration of payroll duties whenever required, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and procedures.
- To undertake duties as directed by the Finance Manager, ensuring effective financial administration within the School's operational framework.

General:

- Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school.
- Ensure that a confidential finance service is provided and adherence to data regulations and the School’s obligations with regards to the data of staff, students and third parties.
- Adhere to and work within agreed school policies, procedures and guidelines.
- To take part in training activities offered to further professional knowledge and development.
- We are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children within our school, actively promoting their welfare and safeguarding their rights.

To carry out the above duties responsibilities while adhering strictly to the School’s Equal Opportunities policy, ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all members of the school community.

To perform such other tasks as may reasonably be required.

**Working relationships**
- Line managers and senior managers - provide information, guidance and advice in relation to finance working collaboratively and sharing information in a comprehensive and supportive manner.
- Foster strong working relationships to deliver accurate advice and guidance to fellow colleagues.
- Wider school / education community / advisory bodies
- building relationships with Local Authority partners and parent fee payers.
- Build relationships with external organisations - suppliers and contractors.

The post holder should be aware of and comply with all school policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety