Assistant Financial Accountant

Salary: £39,943 per annum, including Outer London Weighting

Location: Sutton, SM1 1DA

Working Pattern: 36hrs per week; 8.45am – 4.30pm (M-Th); 8.45am – 4.15pm (F)

Contract Type: Fixed Term for 6-9 Months

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT) is a family of specialist education providers for over 1500 pupils and students from nursery to further education across 14 academies and 9 college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. Supporting our academies and college, OHC&AT also operate learning support, such as nursing and therapy, and a central business support team which includes HR, finance and IT.

Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs including autistic spectrum disorder; speech, language and communication difficulties; social, emotional and mental health; profound and multiple disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health needs.

OHC&AT is a rewarding and inspirational place to work, where everyone works together to create the best possible outcomes for students. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit www.ohcat.org

We are looking for someone to support the Financial Accountant in the production of all statutory financial reports and information required by external agencies, the statutory audit process and collation of high-quality information for use by the Executive Leadership team and Chief Financial Officer.

You will assist in the preparation of various returns, balance sheet reconciliations, cash flow statements, commentary and dashboards. You will have full responsibility for monthly group VAT return, accounting entries, connected person/related party transaction reconciliations.

You will also support the Financial Accountant with complex calculations and compliance matters including but not limited to MAT Handbook and Financial Regulations, academies accounts return (AAR), school resource management self-assessment (SRMSA), ONS surveys, IR35 and gift aid.

You will be able to demonstrate relevant recent experience and an ability to develop within the role.

You must:

·        Have 2 years of accounting experience in VAT return and year-end preparation.

·        Have experience of using Resource/Financials Live or similar packages.

·        Strong IT skills in particular Excel spreadsheets, Word and Outlook

·        Have a clear understanding of accounting tasks and be able to carry out complex financial reconciliations.

·        Have proactive attitude, excellent communication and organisational skills and be adaptable to a changing work environment.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Li Lu via email llu@ohcat.org  to arrange a meeting.

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application. If you have any queries, please contact jobs@orchardhill.ac.uk.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date: 3pm on Friday 19th April 2024

Interviews will take place on: 22/04/2024 and 23/04/2024, via Microsoft Teams.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.