Finance / Accountancy Officer – Schools Finance – 3 Month Contract

Summary

Responsibilities

• Schools Finance Support
  
  
  
  • Assist the Principal Accountant (Schools) in delivering Service Level Agreements.
    
  
  
  • Provide financial management and budget monitoring support to schools.
    
  
  
  • Offer financial advice and guidance to Headteachers and Governing Bodies.
    
  
  
  • Help schools maximize the effective use of financial resources.
    
  
  

• Budget Preparation & Monitoring
  
  
  
  • Assist in preparing annual budgets for primary, secondary, and special schools.
    
  
  
  • Support budget forecasting and financial planning processes.
    
  
  
  • Monitor budget performance and identify variances.
    
  
  
  • Aid schools in interpreting financial reports and budget information.
    
  
  

• Financial Reporting
  
  
  
  • Assist with year-end financial processes and account closure activities.
    
  
  
  • Support the production of final accounts and maintain financial reporting systems.
    
  
  
  • Produce financial reports and management information as required.
    
  
  

• School Support & Stakeholder Engagement
  
  
  
  • Visit schools to provide financial advice and support.
    
  
  
  • Assist Headteachers and Governing Bodies in understanding budget information.
    
  
  
  • Resolve financial queries and operational finance issues.
    
  
  
  • Build effective working relationships with schools and education stakeholders.
    
  
  

• Financial Systems & Reconciliations
  
  
  
  • Maintain financial reporting systems for schools.
    
  
  
  • Perform monthly reconciliations with authority ledgers.
    
  
  
  • Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial data.
    
  
  
  • Monitor and maintain financial records and databases.
    
  
  

• Payments & Financial Administration
  
  
  
  • Support creditor payment processes and review financial transactions for compliance.
    
  
  
  • Process and monitor orders and payments.
    
  
  
  • Investigate financial queries related to school budgets and expenditure.
    
  
  

• Compliance & Financial Governance
  
  
  
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of financial regulations, VAT, and local government procedures.
    
  
  
  • Ensure compliance with financial controls and audit requirements.
    
  
  
  • Maintain accurate audit trails for financial transactions.
    
  
  

• Customer Service & Support
  
  
  
  • Respond to enquiries from schools, contractors, suppliers, finance staff, and other council departments.
    
  
  
  • Provide clear and professional financial advice.
    
  
  
  • Deliver a high standard of customer service.
    
  
  

• Team Working
  
  
  
  • Collaborate effectively as part of the Schools Finance Team.
    
  
  
  • Support wider Corporate Finance activities as required.
    
  
  
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
    
  
  
  • Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and role.
    
  
  

• Essential
  
  
  
  • AAT Qualification (or equivalent), part-qualified, or significant relevant finance/accountancy experience.
    
  
  
  • Experience in a finance, accountancy, or budget support environment.
    
  
  
  • Strong numerical and analytical skills.
    
  
  
  • Experience with computerized financial systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
    
  
  
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
    
  
  
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    
  
  
  • Ability to provide financial advice and support to a range of stakeholders.
    
  
  

• Desirable
  
  
  
  • Previous Local Authority finance experience.
    
  
  
  • Knowledge of school funding and education finance.
    
  
  
  • Knowledge of local government accounting procedures.
    
  
  
  • Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh.