Finance Officer – Independent Secondary School – Milton Keynes

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time Permanent
Salary: Paid to scale

This is a well-established Independent Secondary School in Milton Keynes providing education for pupils aged 1118 within a structured supportive and academically ambitious environment.

The school places strong emphasis on high standards student wellbeing and the effective use of resources. Its finance and operations teams provide essential support to teaching and pastoral staff ensuring that the school can deliver its educational priorities effectively.

The school is seeking an experienced and detail-focused Finance Officer to join its professional support team.

The Finance Officer will support the day-to-day financial administration of the school and work closely with senior administrative and finance colleagues.

Responsibilities will include:

• Processing invoices and purchase orders.

• Maintaining accurate financial records.

• Monitoring payments and outstanding balances.

• Supporting accounts payable and receivable processes.

• Assisting with bank and financial reconciliations.

• Preparing financial information and reports.

• Monitoring expenditure against budgets.

• Processing staff expenses.

• Maintaining supplier records.

• Liaising with suppliers regarding invoices and payments.

• Supporting procurement processes.

• Checking invoices for accuracy and appropriate authorisation.

• Assisting with payroll administration where required.

• Maintaining organised financial documentation.

• Supporting internal financial reviews.

• Preparing information for audits.

• Assisting the wider finance team with month-end procedures.

• Responding to finance-related queries from staff and suppliers.

• Maintaining confidentiality regarding financial and staff information.

The successful candidate will support the school in maintaining accurate financial information.

This may include monitoring departmental expenditure checking transactions and highlighting discrepancies or unusual expenditure to the appropriate senior member of staff.

Strong attention to detail will therefore be essential.

The Finance Officer will also assist with preparing reports and financial information for internal review.

The role will involve regular communication with suppliers and contractors.

Responsibilities may include:

• Requesting and processing invoices.

• Checking purchase orders.

• Following up outstanding documentation.

• Responding to supplier queries.

• Maintaining supplier information.

• Ensuring payments are processed appropriately.

• Supporting purchasing procedures.

The successful candidate should be confident communicating professionally with external organisations.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience in finance accounts or financial administration.

• Strong numerical and analytical skills.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

• Strong organisational skills.

• Excellent record-keeping abilities.

• Good written and verbal communication.

• The ability to meet deadlines.

• A methodical approach to work.

• The ability to work independently.

• The confidence to identify and resolve discrepancies.

• Strong confidentiality and professional standards.

Experience working within a school or education environment would be advantageous.

Although the role is primarily finance-focused the Finance Officer will work with colleagues throughout the school.

You may liaise with:

• Senior leadership.

• Teachers.

• Administrative staff.

• Department heads.

• Suppliers.

• Contractors.

• Parents or other stakeholders where appropriate.

The ability to communicate clearly and professionally with different groups will therefore be important.

The successful candidate will have access to sensitive financial information and must maintain strict confidentiality.

Accurate documentation and adherence to school financial procedures will be essential.

The school expects all staff to work professionally and to follow its policies regarding safeguarding confidentiality data protection and financial controls.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to join an established Independent Secondary School in Milton Keynes.

The position offers a varied workload and the opportunity to contribute directly to the effective financial administration of the school.

The successful candidate will become part of a professional support team that plays an important role in maintaining the schools day-to-day operations.

If you are an experienced Finance Officer or finance administrator looking for a permanent opportunity within an Independent Secondary School in Milton Keynes please send your CV as soon as possible.