At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Finance team with purchasing and billing processes in a dynamic school environment.
- Company: Birkenhead School, a respected independent day school with a strong community spirit.
- Benefits: Part-time hours, supportive team, and a chance to make a difference in education.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team and gain valuable finance experience while supporting a great community.
- Qualifications: Good education, IT skills, and experience in Accounts Payable preferred.
- Other info: Temporary position covering maternity leave with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, dynamic and motivated Finance Administrator who will support the Finance team to oversee the purchasing and billing systems ensuring that processes are carried out in a timely manner in accordance with financial policy.
Birkenhead School, founded in 1860, is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a village green atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one school, and it is a great advantage for the School to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families. A key feature of the School is its strength of community, which runs through the student, staff and parental bodies. The School is embedded within the wider Wirral community, has strong links with local business and charities. A dedicated, talented and collegiate staff body is required to achieve these aims. The School's informal motto is Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, to which we have recently added inclusivity, compassion, integrity, humility and courage as defined School values. Birkenhead School recruits on attitude as much as the quality of an individual's qualifications on paper.
The Department Finance is a busy team within the School and consists of the Finance Manager, Assistant Finance Manager, Finance Officer (Purchases), and Payroll/Finance Administrator. The team play a fundamental role in the success of the School's operations including analysing, identifying and implementing strategies to reduce the time and money spent on day-to-day operations. These tasks include processing purchase orders, payroll management, bill payments and the collection of School fees. The team also compile all management accounts and other financial reports throughout the year.
This is a temporary position to cover a period of Maternity Leave.
Key Responsibilities:- Processing orders, invoices and staff expenses
- Allocating orders and invoices to correct nominal codes/cost centres
- Ensuring payments have appropriate authority levels
- Setting up new suppliers on the Finance system
- Maintaining supplier payment terms
- Preparing BACS run for payment to suppliers and sending supplier remittances
- Resolving purchasing/payment queries and supplier statement discrepancies professionally
- Assisting the financial aspects of School trips planning and accounting
- Setting up new billing accounts on the Finance system and Billing Portal
- Administering billing accounts on Parent Pay
- Liaising with auditors at year end
- Ensuring the necessary administration and filing is performed accurately and timely
- Answering both phone and written correspondence, providing a high level of customer service
- Undertaking duties to assist in the smooth running of the Finance team and contribute to its resilience
- Good standard of education (GCSE Maths and English or equivalent)
- Good IT skills and confident in the use of Microsoft Office and accountancy packages
- Experience of working within Accounts Payable
- Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail
- Skill in establishing priorities and managing workloads
- Friendly, helpful and approachable
- Valid driving licence with access to a vehicle (primarily for banking)
The full list of responsibilities can be found on the Information for Candidates, available on the School website under Employment Opportunities.
Hours:This is a temporary part time post (30 hours per week) working year-round, ideally covering 5 days per week.
Application:A letter of application indicating relevant skills and experience for the role, together with a completed application form, including the names and email addresses of at least two referees, should be sent for the attention of the Bursar via Cheryl Wallace (Personnel and Compliance Manager). Candidates are welcome to contact the Finance Manager, Miss Katie Evans with any questions relating to the role.
To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. As Birkenhead School is an educational provider, it is permitted to ask whether an applicant has any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings which would not be filtered in line with current guidance, as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). It is a criminal offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for a role which is classed as regulated activity.
The closing date for applications: 9.00am on Monday 2nd March 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.
Temporary Finance Administrator (Maternity Cover) in Prenton employer: Birkenhead School
Contact Detail:
Birkenhead School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Temporary Finance Administrator (Maternity Cover) in Prenton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who might know someone at Birkenhead School. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of financial policies and procedures. Show that you’re not just a numbers person but also someone who understands the importance of community and relationships within the school environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to teamwork and problem-solving. We want to see how you handle challenges and work with others, so be ready to share examples from your past experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in being part of the Birkenhead School community.
We think you need these skills to ace Temporary Finance Administrator (Maternity Cover) in Prenton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm: When writing your application, let your passion for the role shine through! We want to see that you're excited about joining our Finance team and contributing to the smooth running of the school.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities listed in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the necessary forms and details there to make the process easier.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birkenhead School
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Administrator, you'll be dealing with numbers all day. Brush up on your accounting principles and be ready to discuss your experience with accounts payable and financial systems. Familiarise yourself with common financial terms and processes to show you’re not just a candidate, but a knowledgeable asset.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
The role requires good organisational skills and attention to detail. Prepare examples of how you've managed workloads or prioritised tasks in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and demonstrate your ability to keep things running smoothly.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Community Spirit
Birkenhead School values community and collaboration. Be ready to share experiences where you’ve worked effectively within a team. Highlight any instances where you contributed to a positive work environment or built strong relationships with colleagues, as this aligns with the school's ethos.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Finance team’s dynamics, the school’s financial policies, or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.