Job Introduction

We are looking to appoint a Finance Officer to join our supportive school office team under line management of the School Business Manager. We are seeking to appoint someone who is warm, approachable and enthusiastic to join our school support team.

The right candidate will be responsible for day-to-day financial management and processing of income and expenditure and will contribute to other finance and administrative processes as identified within the role profile. You will be efficient, highly professional and committed to providing excellent customer service to the school team and all stakeholders. We are looking for someone who strives for high standards of themselves and others, who is efficient and effective in assisting the school to achieve its daily and strategic goals for the benefit of the children.

The successful applicant will:

• Be responsible for managing the school budget, budget planning and reporting to Governors
• Manage the day-to-day finance operations and activities
• Ensure all qualifying grants and funding are accessed
• Process orders
• Pay invoices
• Banking and petty cash
• Preparing and updating budgets
• Managing school meal charges and income
• Debt control
• Administration of finance records through HCC systems
• Engage with community users of our facilities and the associated billing
• Engage with businesses and partner organisations to develop links and generate income streams
• Enjoy working with children in a large school environment and understand that the children are central to all decision making and upon which your role has an impact
• Be committed to safeguarding and protecting children
• Have sustained, successful and demonstrable experience of working in financial administration and possess the associated skills
• Have experience of Hampshire County Council’s systems and administration processes
• Be highly proficient in the use of IT for finance administration
• Be able to consistently and efficiently conduct and complete daily, weekly, monthly and annual financial processes in accordance with Hampshire County Council procedures
• Using provided systems, maintain accurate records of income and expenditure
• Provide advice and guidance and direction to staff in following correct financial procedures
• Be a calm, effective communicator, confident in liaising with all colleagues, children, parents and outside agencies to further our caring ethos, even when under pressure
• Be able to manage, prioritise and meet school and Hampshire County Council deadlines
• Be strategic and analytical and report to SLT
• Be proactive and responsible for a range of financial elements of our operations
• Be able to work effectively as a team member, under direction and also independently
• Be confident, respectful and credible and exude high standards
• Be supportive to the school team and all stakeholders, committed to working collaboratively
• Be intuitive, caring and maintain high regard for confidentiality at all times
• Be keen to use initiative and thrive on a ‘can do’, positive approach
• Be solutions focused and tenacious in your approach
• Be able to work effectively under pressure
• Be ready to contribute to the wider life of the school and our local community
• Be willing to undertake a wide range of professional development

Hook Junior School can offer you:

• Continued professional development
• Happy, polite and motivated children who are keen to learn
• A caring, friendly environment where there is a genuine commitment to raising standards of achievement and care for all
• Exciting opportunities to work in partnership to shape the future of our successful school and make a real difference
• A strong professional team of enthusiastic staff to work alongside you within a supportive and constructive ethos

Application Procedure

For a role profile, application pack and further information please telephone the school office on 01256 762468 and ask for Chris Grant (Business Manager) or email adminoffice@hook-jun.hants.sch.uk. Visits to the school are warmly welcomed; please telephone to make an appointment.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.