Trust Finance Officer

The Trust Finance Officer provides high‑quality financial support to the SEEAT central team, Trustees and Headteachers. They ensure accurate day‑to‑day financial operations, strong financial controls in schools, and the maintenance of clear, audit‑ready records in accordance with the Trust Financial Regulations & DfE Academy Trust Handbook. The role will drive best value for money across the trust by ensuring effective financial planning, rigorous budget monitoring, cost‑efficient procurement, and the consistent application of financial controls that support sustainable, high‑quality educational outcomes. It requires excellent organisation, discretion, and the ability to prioritise workload to meet key deadlines. The postholder works flexibly across the Trust and will travel to schools as needed to provide hands‑on financial support.

Main Duties

• Maintain accurate accounts and manage all day‑to‑day financial transactions
• Raise purchase orders, reconcile goods received, and process invoices/BACS payments as required
• Action online purchases and process journals/recharges in IRIS Financials
• Liaise with suppliers to resolve invoice and delivery queries
• Produce and share regular financial reports and monitoring spreadsheets
• Support preparation of year‑end accounts for audit readiness
• Maintain accurate financial data to support budget management across schools
• Count, record and bank cash/cheques; manage petty cash systems where applicable
• Process DfE & other third‑party income
• Administer supporting documentation and process charge card statements
• Administer FSM & 16‑19 bursary processing payments against claims & issuing vouchers where necessary
• Manage the financial administration of school trips
• Assist with wider school administrative routines as required
• Support additional Trust business as directed by senior leaders
• Provide responsive finance support to schools, both remotely and onsite

South East Essex Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects its entire staff to share this commitment. All postholders working in our schools will be considered to work in Regulated Activity and will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance all shortlisted candidates may be subject to online searches that may include social media.

For further information please contact HR@seeat.org

Information about the School South East Essex Academy Trust (SEEAT) is a Multi‑Academy Trust (MAT) with eight schools. SEEAT was inaugurated on 1st April 2014. It was made up from Westcliff High School for Girls, Prince Avenue Academy, Nursery and Children’s Centre (sponsored by WHSG) and Rochford Primary School and Nursery. The Trust enlarged on 1st September 2014 with WHSG sponsoring the academisation of Holt Farm Junior School. In September 2021 The Deanes School, Hadleigh Junior School and The Westborough School joined us followed by Heycroft Primary School in January 2024. Since April 2024 we have been supporting Cornelius Vermuyden School and working in close partnership, including providing an Executive Head arrangement. We are a friendly, collaborative family of schools and we believe that all the schools in the family have become significantly stronger since working together as part of SEEAT. We are looking to grow in a measured way over the next few years. If you are interested in joining us, we would be happy to talk to school leaders and governors about your options and to share how we believe SEEAT could make a positive difference to the pupils, staff, and families in your school.

Please contact HR at hr@seeat.org for recruitment queries or info@seeat.org for other queries. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.