Finance Officer

Do you have experience within Finance management in either a professional or school capacity? Our thriving academy is looking to appoint a dedicated and resourceful individual as Finance Officer to oversee financial duties across the academy. This role is likely to suit a qualified individual with previous professional finance experience or equivalent. 

About Us

Harris Academy Purley is a mixed Academy for 1,300 students aged 11-18, with a large sixth form of over 300 students. Our vision is that all members of the Academy community are supported and encouraged to achieve their absolute potential.

Harris Academy Purley is part of the Harris Federation and this enables us to offer you a comprehensive induction programme and training and development opportunities to support your career development including Masters and other qualifications.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• To create Purchase Orders.
• To obtain authorisation, Coding and Posting Purchase Invoices.
• Checking of all deliveries to the Academy. Liaising with site staff as to distribution of order.
• Raising cheques / BACS for Purchase Invoices.
• Making Payments.
• Journal Entries on Accounting System.
• Cash / Bank Reconciliation and Reports.
• To collect money from students for educational visits.
• Reconciling the petty cash on a monthly basis.
• Reconciliation of academy credit card.
• Liaison with Cost Centre Budget Holders / Monitoring & Reporting Procedures.
• Maintenance of Fixed Asset Register.
• Academy Banking.
• To assist Finance Business Partner in monthly Balance Sheet Reconciliations.
• Dealing with incoming and outgoing Finance Post.
• To administer finances in relation to peripatetic Music tuition, Music subsidies, Food Technology consumable costs;
• Raising sales invoices for lettings.
• Banking of cash and cheques.
• Additional tasks as may be reasonably requested by Principal / Finance Manager.
• To support the Academy in finding ways to raise capital funding;
• Creating a business plan for lettings and liaising with the Executive Principal to action;
• Supporting any Academy training events that may raise capital;
• To give financial support for any capital spend projects;
• To find ways in which the Academy can get better value for money, through better procurement or other innovative ideas.
• To work with Federation Business Partner and Principal in agreeing priorities for expenditure and monitoring the effectiveness of spending and usage of resources to ensure value for money;
• To ensure all matters regarding Academy insurance are dealt with in line with Federation procedures;
• To ensure the academy's financial procedures operate in accordance with statutory guidelines, Academies financial regulations and guidelines set out in the academy's policies and procedures;
• To provide statistical information as required by the DCSF, other funding providers and Principal
• To be familiar with all the different funding streams that make up the academy budget and be aware of who has direct responsibility for each one.
• To support the process of and respond to audit reports and implementation of recommendation;
• To read and understand the Academies Financial handbook and check the Academies compliance reporting any concerns to the Finance Business Partner and the Principal.
• To oversee all contracts, register at the Academy, ensuring all information is kept up to date;
• To monitor financial and quality issues relating to academy meals contract.
• To manage payroll, liaising with EPM as required.
• To work with Federation Estates Mangers, projects Team ad procurement to check best value for money when the Academy is considering new contracts or services;
• To work with FBP when contracts are due renewal and ascertain value for money and quality of service are in line with expectations;
• To communicate any concerns regarding contracts with suppliers as required;
• To support in any tendering process.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to A level or equivalent Knowledge of school finance systems
• Knowledge of a variety of Financial recording systems
• Knowledge of the budget setting process
• Understanding of the role and function of external audit
• At least three years’ experience working in a finance department
• Experience of working within financial controls
• Experience of assisting with budget setting and budget management

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us via e-mail, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your application.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation 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.