Finance Officer | Outstanding Community Sixth Form College | Walthamstow in London

The Opportunity

Walthamstow is a vibrant, culturally rich district of East London experiencing significant urban regeneration, community investment, and economic growth. We are seeking a highly organized, analytical Finance Officer to join a progressive, high-performing community sixth form college. In this role, you will manage day-to-day financial operations and maintain strict fiscal controls, ensuring the college's resources are optimized to provide an exceptional educational environment for young people across the borough.

The Department & Financial Culture

You will join a dedicated, collaborative Finance and Operations team responsible for managing the college’s multi-million-pound annual budget. The department operates within a culture of transparency, efficiency, and meticulous compliance, balancing statutory educational funding requirements with commercial efficiency. As a major community educational provider, the college utilizes modern cloud-based accounting platforms and digital procurement systems to streamline financial reporting and resource allocation. We maintain a supportive, fast-paced working environment where the finance team works closely with department heads, senior leadership, and external auditors.

Core Responsibilities

• Transaction Management: Processing sales and purchase ledger transactions, managing invoices, and executing timely supplier payments in strict accordance with financial regulations.
• Reconciliations & Cash Flow: Conducting monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations, monitoring cash flow, and managing petty cash allocations across college departments.
• Budgetary Support: Assisting the Finance Manager in preparing monthly management accounts, monitoring departmental spend against agreed budgets, and identifying variances.
• Funding Compliance: Helping administer student bursary funds, specialized educational grants, and payroll administration data, ensuring full compliance with ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) guidelines.
• System Optimization: Maintaining accurate, up-to-date records on the college’s financial software, assisting with year-end audit preparation, and responding efficiently to staff financial queries.

The Successful Candidate

We are looking for an operational professional with exceptional numerical precision and a strong understanding of institutional financial practices. Requirements include:

• Professional Qualifications: Progress towards or completion of an accounting qualification (such as AAT Level 3/4, CIMA, or ACCA) is highly desirable, or equivalent demonstrable experience in a finance role.
• Sector Experience: Prior experience working within an educational setting (school, academy trust, or college) or the wider public/charitable sector is advantageous but not essential.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong IT literacy, including advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables) and experience navigating dedicated accounting software (such as Sage, PS Financials, or Civica).
• Analytical Precision: Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational habits, and the ability to manage competing deadlines under minimal supervision.

Why Join Us?

• The opportunity to work in a vital community institution where your financial expertise directly supports the educational journeys of local young people.
• Clear pathways for professional development, including potential sponsorship for further accounting qualifications and specialized public-sector financial training.
• The opportunity to work in Walthamstow—a dynamic London hub boasting a famous street market, a thriving independent arts scene, excellent local amenities, and superb Victoria Line and Overground connections into central London.
• A supportive professional community that values operational excellence, workplace well-being, and a healthy work-life balance.

How to Apply

Please submit your current CV and a brief cover letter to begin the application process.