Finance Officer | Progress-Driven Community Academy | Barnet

CORE PURPOSE

We require an exceptionally organized, detail-oriented Finance Officer to manage the day-to-day financial administration and transaction processing of our vibrant North London school. Reporting directly to the School Business Manager (SBM), the successful candidate will play a critical role in maintaining the financial health, accuracy, and compliance of the academy. You will assume operational responsibility for processing purchase orders, reconciling accounts, managing parent payment portals, and supporting the SBM with budget monitoring and audit preparation, ensuring that all financial procedures directly support an efficient, well-resourced learning environment for our students and staff.

THE SCHOOL

Our academy is an academically ambitious, highly supportive state school situated in the Outer London Borough of Barnet. We are dedicated to cultivating a mature, inclusive learning environment where high expectations and outstanding community care go hand in hand. Widely recognized for our strong behavioural standards, proactive leadership, and cohesive staff culture, we offer an exceptionally collaborative professional atmosphere. Our school site features a blend of modern, purpose-built learning environments and extensive grounds. We operate with highly structured centralized systems, ensuring that our support staff, administrative teams, and finance departments are fully integrated, respected, and valued across the wider academy.

KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS

• Transactions & Purchase Ledger Management: Process purchase orders, supplier invoices, and staff expense claims in strict accordance with the school's financial regulations. Ensure all transactions are accurately coded, authorized, and processed within set timelines to maintain excellent supplier relationships.

• Income Processing & Bank Reconciliation: Manage day-to-day income collection, including parent payment portals (e.g., ParentPay, Arbor) for school trips, catering, and uniform. Perform regular bank reconciliations and post receipts accurately to the school's financial management system.

• Budget Monitoring & Reporting Support: Assist the School Business Manager in monitoring departmental expenditure. Generate monthly budget holder reports, identify variances, and flag potential overspends, helping to ensure the school's financial resources are optimized and remain aligned with the School Development Plan (SDP).

• Audit & Month-End Preparation: Assist in preparing the financial accounts for monthly and year-end closures. Collate supporting documentation, maintain robust digital filing systems, and provide clear audit trails to assist internal and external auditors during annual reviews.

• Administrative Collaboration: Work closely with the wider administrative and operations teams to resolve financial queries from suppliers, staff, and parents promptly and professionally, fostering a helpful and transparent service culture.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

• Qualifications: A relevant professional qualification in accountancy or bookkeeping (such as AAT Level 3 or higher, or equivalent), or proven equivalent experience in financial administration.

• Operational Experience: Proven, successful experience working within a busy finance department, managing purchase ledgers, bank reconciliations, and financial systems. Experience working within an educational or public sector environment is highly desirable.

• Technical & Meticulous Ethos: Outstanding numerical accuracy, strong attention to detail, and proficiency in school financial software (such as FMS, PS Financials, or Civica) and Excel. Possess excellent communication skills to explain financial procedures clearly to non-finance staff.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

• An Academically Prestigious North London Borough Connecting Communities: Based in the historically significant and culturally diverse London Borough of Barnet, the school capitalizes on an exceptional regional identity defined by a reputation for outstanding academic standards, leafy suburban spaces, and a thriving local economy. Blending highly desirable residential neighbourhoods with progressive, multicultural town centres, Barnet provides a fantastic, real-world landscape for professional careers. Operating within this highly collaborative educational network allows the Finance Officer to connect directly with regional local authority frameworks, local business partnerships, and a deeply supportive community of local families.

• Connectivity & Infrastructure: The campus benefits from premium North London transport infrastructure, offering straightforward commuting routes via the strategic M1 motorway corridor, the A406 North Circular Road, and the A1. Public transit networks operate continuously via comprehensive Transport for London (TfL) bus networks and the High Barnet branch of the Northern Line. Additionally, Thameslink rail connections link the borough effortlessly to St Pancras International, Hertfordshire, and the South East, making the school highly accessible for commuting professionals across London and the Home Counties.

APPLICATION INTAKE

Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.