Accounts Assistant (Maternity Leave Cover)

Job Description

Accounts Assistant

Responsible to: Head of Finance

Responsible for: N/A

Salary: Grade 2.1 – £25,077.00 per annum.

Contract Type: Full time, temporary position. Till January 2027 (Maternity Leave Cover)

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm, 37.5 hours per week.

The post-holder is expected to uphold and actively promote the ethos of St Leonards School. The post-holder is responsible to the Head of Finance. Working in the Accounts Office, the post-holder will complete a range of finance duties and assistance, essential for the efficient daily operation of St Leonards School. The Accounts Assistant will work closely with the School Accountant to meet specific priorities and deadlines in relation to treasury and fees billing.

The main areas of responsibility are:

• Termly school fee and recharge invoices, under direction from the School Accountant
• Updating and maintaining the fees ledgers to ensure accuracy
• Reconciliation of the fee ledger, including debit and credit balances
• Recording, processing and reconciliation of pupil registration fees and deposits
• Dealing with incoming calls and emails regarding fees and associated issues
• Analysing invoices relating to amounts to be recharged to pupils
• Escalate any fee-related issues to the School Accountant, as appropriate
• Processing purchase invoices, including coding and posting to the purchase ledger
• Updating and maintaining the purchase ledger supplier accounts to ensure accuracy
• Monthly reconciliation of purchase ledger to creditors control account
• Reconciling supplier statements to balances on purchase ledger
• Dealing with incoming calls and emails regarding purchase invoices and associated issues
• Escalate any purchase ledger account issues to the Accounts Payable Clerk or Head of Finance, as appropriate
• Carrying out procedures in accordance with accounts office instructions handbook
• Maintaining the Accounts Engage system for paying out and receiving routine expenditure
• Maintaining the School Business Visa account and the school vehicle fuel card account
• Providing general support and guidance to assist and to cover for other Accounts Office Staff
• Providing timely notification to the Head of Finance on any problem or contentious matters in area of responsibility
• Commitment to continuing professional development and seeking appropriate training opportunities
• Assisting with the requirements of visitors to the Accounts Office

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, and it is expected that the post-holder will participate in other reasonable activities according to the needs of the School and for better fulfilment of the role.

Person Specification Experience

• Essential – Experience of working within an Accounts or Finance team
• Essential – Proficient user of IT, especially Microsoft Office / Excel and Google Suite
• Desirable – Experience of working within an Accounts or Finance team with a charitable organisation or with a provider of education
• Desirable – HNC or HND in Accounting

Skills

• Essential – Excellent numeracy and problem solving skills
• Essential – Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Essential – Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Essential – Excellent customer service skills
• Essential – Sound time management and organisational skills
• Essential – General commercial awareness
• Desirable – Proven training skills and ability to share knowledge
• Desirable – Up to date with the latest accountancy trends and best practice

Interpersonal Skills

• Essential – Self motivated with a methodical approach
• Essential – Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to communicate with people from all different backgrounds
• Essential – Tactful and discreet with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Essential – Ability to work calmly under pressure and keep to deadlines
• Essential – Sensitive to the needs of others and supportive when required
• Essential – Flexible and adaptable
• Essential – Professional manner and appearance
• Desirable – Empathy with the aims and ethos of the Independent Schools’ sector