At a Glance
- Tasks: Support finance services, process transactions, and maintain accurate financial records.
- Company: Join the Sir John Brunner Foundation, dedicated to enhancing students' lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent position, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance roles, strong Excel skills, and attention to detail.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community involvement.
The predicted salary is between 31537 - 34434 £ per year.
About Us
This is an exciting time to be joining the Sir John Brunner Foundation. Our Multi‑Academy Trust educates more than 4300 children and young people and employs over 450 professionals. Each of our four highly rated academies operates at the heart of their local community. Our mission is to enhance students’ lives through the highest standards of education underpinned by our Trust values of Excellence, Belonging and Partnership.
About This Role
- Role: Finance Officer
- Salary: Grade 7 – SCP 18 to SCP 23 – £31,537 to £34,434 (FTE)
- Contract type: 37 hours per week, Full‑Year – Permanent
- Reporting to: Finance Transactions Team Manager
- Start date: May 2026
About The Role
This role is based at Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College (central finance office) three days per week, The Macclesfield Academy one day per week, and Middlewich High School one day per week. The Finance Officer supports the delivery of accurate, efficient and compliant finance services across the Foundation.
Your Responsibilities
- Process purchase orders, invoices, income and payments, ensuring accuracy and adherence to financial policies and controls.
- Reconcile accounts and maintain high‑quality financial records to support effective decision‑making.
- Assist with budget monitoring, preparing financial reports and supporting internal and external audits.
- Respond to queries from colleagues and stakeholders, maintaining finance systems and data to a high standard.
- Identify opportunities to streamline processes and enhance efficiency as part of service improvement initiatives.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information with integrity.
What We Are Looking For
- Experience working in a Finance Assistant or Finance Officer role, responsible for processing a range of financial transactions.
- Strong computer literacy, excellent Excel skills and confidence using finance systems (e.g. PS Financials).
- Strong numerical and analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders.
Compliance & Equality
The foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people. All staff share this commitment. The successful applicant must have an enhanced DBS disclosure and satisfactory references. The foundation is an equal opportunities employer.
Finance Officer at The Sir John Brunner Foundation in Macclesfield employer: The Macclesfield Academy
Contact Detail:
The Macclesfield Academy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Officer at The Sir John Brunner Foundation in Macclesfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at The Sir John Brunner Foundation on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the culture, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common finance-related questions. We should also think of examples from our past experiences that highlight our skills in processing transactions and maintaining financial records.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our tech-savviness! Be ready to discuss our experience with finance systems like PS Financials and how we’ve used Excel to streamline processes. This will demonstrate our fit for the Finance Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating our enthusiasm for the position can leave a lasting impression. Let’s make sure they remember us!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Officer at The Sir John Brunner Foundation in Macclesfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Officer role. Highlight your experience with financial transactions and any relevant software skills, like Excel or PS Financials. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at the Sir John Brunner Foundation!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about education and how your skills can contribute to our values of Excellence, Belonging, and Partnership. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: In finance, accuracy is key! When filling out your application, double-check for any typos or errors. We appreciate candidates who demonstrate meticulousness in their written communication, as it reflects the quality we strive for in our financial services.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our foundation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Macclesfield Academy
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your financial knowledge and be ready to discuss key concepts related to budgeting, invoicing, and account reconciliation. Familiarise yourself with the specific finance systems mentioned in the job description, like PS Financials, so you can confidently talk about your experience with them.
✨Showcase Your Attention to Detail
Prepare examples that highlight your strong numerical and analytical skills. Think of situations where your attention to detail made a difference, whether it was catching an error in a report or streamlining a process. This will demonstrate your fit for maintaining high-quality financial records.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since the role involves responding to queries from colleagues and stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might want to role-play common scenarios where you would need to explain financial information to non-financial colleagues, showcasing your interpersonal skills.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Compliance
Given the foundation's focus on safeguarding and compliance, be prepared to discuss how you handle sensitive information and adhere to financial policies. Share any relevant experiences that illustrate your integrity and commitment to confidentiality in financial matters.