Finance Assistant

Finance Assistant

Salary: Grade 5, Points 5-7 of the Meridian Trust Support pay scale. £23,500 – £24,294 full-time equivalent. Actual Salary £16,049 – £16,592.

Hours of work: Part Time, 30 hours per week, 38 weeks per year (Term Time Only). Hours to be worked over 5 days.

The Opportunity

We are now looking to appoint a Finance Assistant within our Support Team who shares our core values which are set out clearly in the job description. This post will be a wonderfully rewarding experience for the successful candidate as they will be joining a supportive, established Finance team which is well resourced and part of our wider Meridian Trust family.

The successful candidate will provide efficient financial support to the Finance Officer, contributing to the successful operation of the school.

· A great chance to work with a strong, fun enthusiastic team

· Responsible for the accurate and effective operation of the cashless catering system for students and staff, including reconciliation and reporting, managing student and parent queries, and ensuring data for Free School Meals is entered correctly

· Responsibility for the monetary management of all school trips, including setting up and monitoring trip spreadsheets, ensuring correct set up and access for online payments on the Trust's system.

· Ensure all trip payments are accurately recorded and funds cleared before any trip goes ahead, liaising with Trip Leaders and other departments to ascertain requirements and costs.

· Assist the Finance Officer to maintain accurate creditors and debtors accounts by raising purchase orders, processing goods received notes and invoices, and reconciling accounts to supplier statements.

· Ensure that the Trust’s financial procedures are always adhered to, with reference to payment authorisations and ensuring that orders do not exceed Budget Holder’s financial limits.

 The ideal candidate

· Good educational background with GCSE or equivalent in English and a qualification in administration or accounting

· Experience in working in an administrative environment

· Experience of working in an educational setting

· Knowledge of accounting processes and/or general bookkeeping procedures

· Keen eye for detail, with the ability to plan, organise and prioritise workload

· Positive and enthusiastic approach with the ability to work within a team as well as on own initiative

· Knowledge of the need for confidentiality and awareness of child protection issues

· Flexibility of working hours, committed and reliable with excellent timekeeping

Benefits of working for us include:

· A philosophy of 100% achievement and inclusion

· A commitment to extending the boundaries of learning enabling all young people to become well- rounded individuals

· A purposeful and caring learning environment, where every individual is known, valued and supported

· Well-motivated and engaged students and ambitious, dedicated and professional staff

· A commitment to leadership, innovation, staff progression - we are passionate about retaining good staff - and partnership working, as part of our family of schools

· An induction programme for all new staff

· Weekly training sessions and staff meetings to ensure effective communication

· Employee Assistance Programme to help support you in everyday life as well as career decisions

· Staff social activities, including staff fitness and wellbeing sessions

· Ample free on-site car parking in a city location

· As a member of the Meridian Trust, there is potential to be promoted and/or work across a number of schools in a close geographical area

· Eyecare vouchers       

· Cycle to work scheme       

· Reduced staff membership to the facilities at Academy Leisure, Sawtry       

· Free tea and coffee making facilities       

· Generous sick pay and annual leave

· Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, please see Home :: LGPS (lgpsmember.org) for more information

In 2019 Ely College was rated as GOOD with OUTSTANDING leadership and management. This comes just three years after joining CMAT and is an accurate reflection of all the hard work and dedication that staff have put in to transforming the college over the last three years.

Our vision is to ensure every student receives an inspiring education which will equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed beyond the classroom. We have an unwavering focus on progress, which is underpinned by a strong partnership with parents and the community ensuring that our students are a credit to the College. Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust is a success story that continues to grow and part of their success is down to the ability to Recruit, Develop and Retain the very best staff.

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation that has risen to be one of the highest performing academy groups in the country. The Trust was formed in 2011 and is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. The Trust currently operates 28 schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire and has forged strong links within all these communities. We are committed to high quality professional development and career opportunities for all staff. To find out more about the Trust, please visit: www.meridiantrust.co.uk

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 29th April 2024

Interviews to take place shortly after.

We reserve the right to close the advert early, so if you are interested in the role please do not wait to submit an application.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as social media checks.