Finance Officer (Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys and Falcons Prep Richmond)

An opportunity has arisen for a Finance Officer to work for Falcons Pre-Preparatory School and Falcons Prep Richmond. Both are independent schools based in west London and are part of the Alpha Plus Group, one of the largest privately-owned school groups in the UK owning 20 schools and colleges including some of London’s finest Prep and Pre-Prep schools.

The Schools

Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys, Chiswick

Falcons Pre-Preparatory Chiswick is a non-selective independent day school for children aged 2-7 based in Chiswick, London. Academic excellence is at the forefront of every child’s learning experience and every child should leave our Pre-Prep as a well-rounded, confident and resilient individual. The school delivers a fast paced and stimulating curriculum including a wide range of clubs, sporting activities and educational visits which enhance learning for our pupils.

Falcons Preparatory School for Boys, Richmond

Falcons Prep Richmond has the capacity to educate 200 boys from ages 4 – 13. The school, which is set in leafy Richmond on the edge of Old Deer Park, combines a warm and nurturing environment with excellent resources, a commitment to teamwork and the professional development of staff. Falcons Prep is an ambitious school with a strong set of values focused on providing every boy with the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The Role

The ideal candidate will be reliable, honest, flexible and trustworthy and able to work in a busy environment with adults and children alike. Proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is essential as is good knowledge of Office software packages. Previous financial administration experience is essential and knowledge of SIMS and working in the education sector is desirable.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Invoice Preparation and Credit Control:

• Manage and update all fee payer detail and fee payer data using the School Information Management System (SIMS).
• Termly billing run and interim billing.
• Managing deposits and registration fees.
• Process advanced fees.
• Responding to queries from parents and fee payers.
• Producing monthly Aged Debtor reports and Month End Report.
• Credit Control.
• Assisting with the collation of information for referral to debt collecting agency.
• Posting receipts to SIMS.

Managing direct debit payment system on a day-to-day basis:

• Sending direct debit mandates to parents for completion and return, checking paperwork before it is sent to the bank.
• Running termly/monthly BACS reports.
• Acting on all BACS rejects.

Purchase Ledger:

• Preparation of supplier invoices for authorisation.
• Recording costs on budget sheets.
• Liaising with suppliers on outstanding invoices.
• Managing the School’s Amazon Business Account.
• Purchasing items online using the school credit card and completing the monthly reconciliation.
• Maintaining and recording of expenses.
• Reviewing transaction listings monthly, liaising with Head Office.
• Attend termly reviews of the budget.
• Prepare forecast budgets.

ParentPay:

• Setting up trips and other events on ParentPay and ensuring monies are paid.
• Managing the administration of the ParentPay database.
• Reconciling the school’s charitable fundraising.

EYFS:

• Administering EYFS paperwork.
• Submitting termly returns to the local authority.
• Handling parent queries.
• Balancing monies received from the Local Authority.

Cheque Requisitions:

• Raising cheque requisitions and submitting to Head Office.

Bank Reconciliations:

• Completing monthly bank reconciliation and submitting to Head Office. 

Banking and Cash Management:

• Day-to-day banking of cheques and cash.

Cost Control:

• Assisting the Head(s) to ensure school operating costs are contained within authorised budgets, particularly with regard to departmental budgets. 

Petty Cash:

• Maintaining and reconciling petty cash.

This list is not exhaustive and the essence of the job is to be accommodating and flexible at all times, as such the Finance Officer may be asked to carry out duties other than those listed as deemed reasonable by the Head(s) and the Financial Controller at Head Office.

Safeguarding

APG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as an employee of APG you are expected to share this commitment.  The protection of our students’ welfare is the responsibility of all staff within APG Schools and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organisation.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Application Process

Please click here to submit your application via the APG Careers Site.

Applications should reach the school no later than Tuesday 22 June, 23:59.

First interviews will take place w/c 29 June.