School Finance Officer in London

A specialist independent school in West London is seeking an experienced School Finance Manager to join its team on a permanent basis. This is a direct-hire, permanent role, meaning the successful candidate will be employed directly by the school from day one and become a valued member of the school's long-term staff team. We are looking for a finance professional with strong school finance experience and a thorough understanding of EHCP funding, local authority commissioning, and specialist education finance. This is an excellent opportunity for someone seeking a stable, long-term permanent position within a warm and supportive school community.

About the School: The school provides specialist education for approximately 40 pupils with autism and additional needs. As a small school, it offers a genuine sense of community where staff know every child and every colleague. The culture is collaborative, welcoming and highly supportive. Staff are encouraged to build long-term careers within the school, and the successful candidate will play a key role in the school's continued development. Located in the Imperial Wharf area of Chelsea, the school is within easy walking distance of Imperial Wharf, Fulham Broadway, and West Brompton stations, making it easily accessible from across London.

The Opportunity: This is a permanent School Finance Manager position, employed directly by the school rather than through an agency or temporary arrangement. The successful candidate will take ownership of the school's finance function and become a key member of the leadership and operational team. A central focus of the role will be ensuring that EHCP funding arrangements are managed effectively and that local authority invoices are processed and paid promptly. We are seeking someone who understands how specialist school funding operates and who can confidently manage relationships with local authorities to ensure income is received efficiently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing the day-to-day financial operations of the school.
• Overseeing invoicing and income collection processes.
• Monitoring EHCP funding arrangements and local authority payments.
• Ensuring invoices are raised accurately and followed through to payment.
• Maintaining positive and professional relationships with local authority finance teams.
• Budget monitoring and financial reporting.
• Reconciliation of accounts and financial records.
• Managing supplier payments and financial administration.
• Supporting the senior leadership team with financial planning and forecasting.
• Ensuring compliance with financial procedures and regulations.

Essential Requirements:

• Significant experience working within school finance.
• Strong understanding of EHCP funding and local authority payment processes.
• Proven experience managing invoicing, income collection and financial reconciliation.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Desirable:

• Experience within SEND, specialist or independent schools.
• School Business Manager or School Finance Manager experience.
• Relevant finance or accounting qualifications.

What We Offer:

• A permanent, full-time position with direct employment by the school.
• Immediate inclusion within the school's staff team and payroll.
• A stable and secure long-term career opportunity.
• A warm, friendly and supportive working environment.
• The opportunity to work within a specialist setting that changes children's lives.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Excellent transport links in West London.

If you are an experienced school finance professional with expertise in EHCP funding and local authority finance processes, and you are looking for a permanent role where you can make a genuine impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.