Finance Support Officer jobs

Purpose of the Role

The Finance and HR Support Officer is responsible for the effective day-to-day administration of the school's finance and human resources functions. The postholder will support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team by ensuring financial compliance, maintaining accurate personnel records, managing key administrative systems, and contributing to the smooth and efficient operation of the school.

The role requires a highly organised, confidential and proactive individual with experience of school finance, HR administration and safeguarding procedures.

Key ResponsibilitiesFinance

• Process purchase orders, invoices, payments and BACS transactions accurately and within agreed timescales.
• Raise invoices for school income, including lettings, nursery fees, breakfast and after-school clubs, school trips and other activities, ensuring prompt collection of outstanding payments.
• Record and reconcile all income received by the school in a timely manner.
• Complete tasks as per the monthly finance timetable, adhering to monthly financial reporting deadlines, including bank reconciliation and purchasing card reconciliation.
• Reconcile monthly payroll reports in the budgeting and finance system.
• Follow Trust procurement policy by obtaining quotations and ensuring value for money, seeking guidance from the COO when necessary.
• Work with the Headteacher/CFO to prepare and review annual and multi-year budgets.
• Produce monthly budget monitoring reports, highlighting variances and making recommendations where appropriate.
• Support budget holders by providing financial reports to assist with monitoring delegated budgets.
• Forecast future expenditure and funding to support strategic financial planning.
• Maintain the school's asset register, recording additions and disposals, and undertaking the annual inventory check with the Site Manager.
• Ensure compliance with Trust, Local Authority, DfE and statutory financial regulations.
• Prepare and submit financial returns to the Trust CFO, Local Authority and other agencies within required deadlines, such as submitting data for EYFS funding.
• Assist with staff salary queries in liaison with payroll and the Headteacher.
• Attend LGB Finance Committee meetings and provide financial information as required.

Human Resources

• Maintain the Single Central Record, ensuring all safeguarding and safer recruitment checks are complete and compliant.
• Manage DBS applications and recruitment checks for employees, volunteers and governors.
• Liaise with recruitment agencies and senior leaders to ensure all required employment documentation is received.
• Provide administrative support throughout the recruitment process, including arranging interviews, obtaining references and processing appointments.
• Coordinate volunteer recruitment and onboarding, including induction arrangements.
• Maintain accurate personnel records on the school's HR and MIS systems, including Arbor and iTrent.
• Record staff attendance, sickness, annual leave and other absences, producing reports for the Headteacher and Governors as required.
• Prepare and submit the annual School Workforce Census.
• Process timesheets for additional hours and agency staff, ensuring appropriate authorisation before payroll submission.
• Process staff expenses, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
• Maintain staff training and CPD records and arrange training bookings as required.
• Liaise with HR Advisory / COO to ensure compliance with employment legislation, safer recruitment and equal opportunities.

Administration

• Provide high-quality administrative support to the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team.
• Arrange supply staff cover as directed and approve authorised timesheets.
• Manage the secure archiving and disposal of financial and personnel records in accordance with data retention requirements.
• Liaise with the Clerk to Governors and provide administrative support to governing body committees when required.
• Support the organisation of school events, parents' evenings, open days and other activities, including bookings, catering and communications.
• Build effective working relationships with the Trust, staff, governors, parents, the Local Authority and external agencies.
• Assist with amending policies from Trust templates to reflect school-specific requirements.

Safeguarding and Compliance

The postholder will:

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Comply with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance and all school safeguarding procedures.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and Data Protection legislation, maintaining confidentiality of all personal information.
• Adhere to the school's Health and Safety Policy, Equality Policy and all other relevant school policies.
• Attend relevant meetings, training and professional development activities.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post as reasonably required by the Headteacher.

Person Profile

We are looking for someone who has:

Essential

• Experience of finance administration, ideally within a school or public sector environment.
• Experience of HR administration, including recruitment and personnel record management.
• Excellent numerical, analytical and organisational skills.
• Experience using financial and management information systems.
• Strong IT skills, especially in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• High levels of accuracy, discretion and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and safer recruitment requirements.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and safeguarding.

Desirable

• Experience using Arbor, iTrent (payroll system) and School Money.
• Experience of working in an Academy Trust.
• Experience preparing budget reports and financial returns.
• Experience supporting governors or school leadership teams.

Our Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Ref:INDTL-HDA

Pay: £41,737.00-£43,011.00 per year

Work Location: In person