Part Time Finance Assistant, Temp or Temp to Perm

We are looking to recruit a committed Finance Assistant to join our schools in the North London Region. You will have an important role to play in day-to-day financial management, ensuring compliance, high standards of financial probity and value for money across the academy. You will be responsible for resources ordering across the schools and liaise with senior leaders and the finance team to establish best practice.

We are looking for someone who has experience working with financial procedures, cash handling, and maintaining cash security, preferably within a school, public sector, or charitable organisation. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in spreadsheets and computerised accounting software, with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

• To take responsibility for the processing of financial transactions within the academy, including purchase orders, invoicing, credit card reconciliation, BACS payments and petty cash.
• To undertake monthly bank reconciliations.
• To achieve for the academy the most competitive pricing for goods and services in compliance with current and relevant procurement legislation and Ark policy.
• To maintain the finance filing systems, ensuring that records are suitable for audit purposes.
• To accurately administrate and manage the school resources ordering system across both primary and secondary phases.
• To work with the Senior Finance Manager to achieve the most competitive pricing for goods and services in compliance with current and relevant procurement legislation.
• To assist the North London Region, with the day-to-day financial processes and procedures required of the academy, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook.
• To ensure high standards of financial probity and value for money within the academy.
• To work in collaboration with Ark, and counterparts in other Ark academies.

Experience of financial procedures, cash handling and cash security is essential. Experience in a school, similar public sector environment or charity is desirable. Highly developed skills in spreadsheet and computerised accountancy software are required, along with excellent numerical and financial skills. Highly competent computer skills, particularly using Excel, Internet, Email and financial databases are necessary. Good planning and organisational skills are important, as well as a commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils.

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3 years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part-time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays.

As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution. Depending on your role, you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year.

Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform. Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests.

Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Our network of 39 schools reaches traditionally underserved communities in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. We educate 30,000 pupils and have nearly 3,000 teaching staff across our network.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check.