Finance Assistant

Location: Waltham Forest

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational)

A forward-thinking, vibrant secondary school in the London Borough of Waltham Forest is seeking an organized, numerically sharp, and detail-driven School Finance Assistant to join their central finance and business operations department. This is an ideal role for an enthusiastic finance administrator, accounts assistant, or business support specialist looking to build a rewarding career in educational financial management.

About the Role

As the School Finance Assistant, you will play a key role in maintaining the financial health and operational efficiency of the school. Working directly under the guidance of the Finance Manager and School Business Manager, you will handle day-to-day transactional accounting, purchase orders, invoice processing, parent payment portals, and petty cash management, ensuring full compliance with audit guidelines and public sector accounting standards.

• Start Date: Immediate or upcoming term

• Environment: A welcoming co-educational secondary school committed to resource efficiency, educational excellence, and staff development

• Culture: A collaborative, professional, and supportive workplace backed by an approachable business management team and a friendly administrative network

Key Responsibilities

• Process purchase requisitions, raise purchase orders (POs), and process supplier invoices accurately using school finance software (e.g., FMS, Access Finance, PS Financials/IRIS).

• Reconcile bank statements, credit cards, and online parent payment platforms (e.g., ParentPay, SchoolGateway) on a regular basis.

• Manage income processing, including student trip payments, catering income, lettings billing, and petty cash disbursements.

• Assist with month-end financial routines, budget monitoring support, and preparing financial records for annual internal and external audits.

• Act as the primary point of contact for routine finance queries from staff, vendors, contractors, and local suppliers, maintaining strong working relationships.

Requirements

• Proven experience in a finance assistant, accounts clerk, or bookkeeping role (prior school, trust, or public sector finance experience is desirable).

• Strong numeracy and digital literacy skills, including proficiency in MS Excel and accounting software/financial management systems (e.g., SIMS FMS, PS Financials, Sage).

• Relevant qualification or working towards one (e.g., AAT Level 2/3, NVQ in Business Administration/Finance) is advantageous.

• High level of accuracy, meticulous attention to detail, and excellent organizational capabilities when handling multiple priorities.

• Professional communication skills and an understanding of confidentiality, GDPR, and basic financial compliance in schools.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London support staff pay scale (commensurate with qualifications and experience).

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), generous term-time-only or full-year arrangements, continuous professional development, and AAT study support opportunities.

How to Apply

If you are a motivated, numbers-driven professional ready to contribute to the smooth running of a brilliant Waltham Forest school, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application as soon as possible for consideration.