Finance Officer

A large and well-established secondary school in Greater Manchester is seeking an experienced and detail-focused School Finance Officer to join its central operations team. This is a key role within a busy 11–18 setting of over 1,200 students, supporting the School Business Manager in delivering robust financial management, compliance and reporting. The school has a strong reputation locally for stability, clear leadership and sound financial governance. With a healthy budget and a structured finance system already in place, this role is about maintaining high standards, improving efficiency and ensuring transparency across all financial processes. The Role You will oversee day-to-day financial administration while supporting wider budget monitoring and reporting functions. Core Responsibilities • Managing purchase ledger and sales ledger processes • Processing invoices, purchase orders and supplier payments • Reconciling bank statements and petty cash • Monitoring departmental budgets and flagging variances • Supporting monthly budget reporting • Assisting with year-end procedures and audit preparation • Ensuring compliance with ESFA and local authority regulations The school operates through an established financial system (currently Arbor Finance and Access Education), and accuracy is essential in maintaining smooth operations. Budget & Financial Oversight Working closely with the School Business Manager, you will: • Monitor spending against allocated departmental budgets • Prepare reports for senior leadership meetings • Support forecast updates and cashflow tracking • Liaise with heads of department regarding expenditure • Ensure procurement procedures are followed consistently The school places strong emphasis on value for money while maintaining high-quality resources for students and staff. The School Environment This forward-thinking secondary school combines modern facilities with a well-established community ethos. The campus includes a sixth form centre, refurbished science labs and specialist vocational spaces. Financial management plays a significant role in sustaining these facilities and supporting strategic development. The administration team is professional, organised and collaborative. Staff turnover within the operations team is low, reflecting a positive working culture and clear role definition. Systems & Compliance You will be expected to: • Maintain accurate financial records in line with audit requirements • Ensure VAT is correctly processed and recorded • Support internal and external audit requests • Maintain secure document management procedures • Uphold GDPR compliance within financial documentation The school has undergone successful audits in recent years and expects high standards of financial control. About You • Previous experience in school finance or public-sector finance • Strong understanding of budgeting and reconciliation processes • Confident using financial systems (Arbor, SIMS FMS, Access, Sage or similar) • Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail • Professional, discreet and capable of handling sensitive financial data Experience within a large secondary school or academy would be particularly beneficial. What’s on Offer • Competitive salary aligned to experience • Structured and supportive leadership team • Clear systems and established procedures • Term-time plus contract with flexibility options • Ongoing professional development opportunities This is an excellent opportunity for a capable finance professional seeking a stable and rewarding role within a well-managed secondary school environment.