Finance Assistant

Finance Assistant

Are you a recent graduate looking to take your first steps into your career in Finance? This role is a perfect opportunity to get started in a supportive and experienced team.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

Responsible to: Director of Finance

Contract term: Full Time, All Year Round

About Canary Wharf College Trust: We are a Multi Academy Trust based in East London. We have two primary schools and a secondary school. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organisation with an innovative and unique educational vision. We are based in a quiet setting in the heart of the Isle of Dogs in Tower Hamlets, yet close to Mudchute, Island Gardens and Crossharbour DLR stations and central London.

The Trust Ethos: To live, share and celebrate the love of learning in a Christian environment whilst welcoming those of other faiths and cultures.

An opportunity has arisen for a Finance Assistant to join our friendly, hard-working Finance Team. This role will suit a highly motivated and organised individual with a confident and professional manner. You will need to have experience of working in a school or similar environment and of using PS Financials or similar software whilst experience of using SIMs and SchoolComms would be desirable. 

Areas of Responsibility

The key responsibilities of the role will be to:

• Undertake the accurate accounting of all aspects of academy finance in line with Trust financial regulations
• Purchase order system administration
• Organise and correctly account for all other income/expenditure streams for academy services; after-school clubs and class visits/visitors
• Oversee SchoolComms, manage and process credit card payments
• Address outstanding debt to ensure no accruals in all areas of academy finance
• Engage with all audit and control reviews, preparing papers and records as required

For more information, please see attached job description and person specification below.

Person Specification

• Experience of working in a finance office or similar environment
• Experience of multitasking and working with a range of stakeholders
• Experience working in a school or similar environment
• Experience of PS Financials or other similar accounting software
• Experience of SIMs and SchoolComms is desirable

Qualifications and professional knowledge

• GCSE or equivalent (NVQ level 2) passes in English and mathematics- essential
• Accountancy or bookkeeping qualification- working towards or AAT qualified - desirable
• Knowledge of financial regulations as relate to schools- desirable

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to manage own time effectively
• Ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to adhere to working procedures and policies within the school environment
• Ability to operate as part of a team or individually as required
• Good communication skills
• High level of integrity; ability to maintain confidentiality and probity

Next Steps

If you are interested in the role, please download and read the attached job description. To apply, please do so by using the TES application form and ensure you provide your full education and work history.

If you have any questions about the role, please e-mail Michelle Richards, our Director of HR at mrichards@canarywharfcollege.co.uk. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the application deadline once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Safeguarding Notice

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be subject to enhanced DBS checks and other relevant pre-employment checks.

Equal Opportunities

Canary Wharf College Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.