Finance Officer and Administrative Officer
| Posting date: | 08 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £30,288 to £32,070 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 07 January 2026 |
| Location: | London, England, CR0 4FE |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Harris Federation |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 900324697 |
Summary
About UsHarris Primary Academy Purley Way has been open since 2016 and is Ofsted rated Outstanding in all areas. At full capacity there will be 21 classes from Reception to Year 6. We opened with a Reception cohort and are growing by a year group at a time with currently over 570 pupils on roll from Reception to Year 6. The whole community strive for Harris Primary Academy Purley Way to be the best it can possibly be which is encapsulated by our vision statement: “Excellence for All”. SummaryDo you have experience with finance management in either a professional or school capacity? Our thriving academy is looking to appoint a dedicated and resourceful individual as Finance Officer to oversee financial duties across Harris Primary Academy Purley Way on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
The actual salary for this role will be £26,804.88-£28,381.95 (40 weeks per year, 37.5 hours per week). Main Areas of ResponsibilityYour responsibilities will include:
Creating purchase orders
Obtaining authorisation for, coding and posting purchase invoices
Checking of all deliveries to the Academy, liaising with site staff as to distribution of order
Raising cheques / BACS for purchase invoices
Making payments
Journal entries on accounting system
Cash / bank reconciliation and reports
Collecting money from students for educational visits
Reconciling the petty cash on a monthly basis
Reconciliation of academy credit card
Liaison with cost centre budget holders
Maintenance of Fixed Asset Register
Academy banking
Assisting Finance Business Partner in monthly balance sheet reconciliations
Dealing with incoming and outgoing finance post
To administer finances in relation to peripatetic music tuition, music subsidies and Food Technology consumable costs
Raising sales invoices for lettings
Banking of cash and cheques
Supporting the Academy in finding ways to raise capital funding
Creating a business plan for lettings and liaising with the Executive Principal to action
Supporting any Academy training events that may raise capital
Giving financial support for any capital spend projects
Finding ways in which the Academy can get better value for money, through better procurement or other innovative ideas
Working with Federation Business Partner and Principal in agreeing priorities for expenditure and monitoring the effectiveness of spending and usage of resources to ensure value for money
Ensuring all matters regarding Academy insurance are dealt with in line with Federation procedures
Ensuring the academy's financial procedures operate in accordance with statutory guidelines, Academies financial regulations and guidelines set out in the academy's policies and procedures
Providing statistical information as required by the DCSF, other funding providers and Principal
Familiarity with all the different funding streams that make up the academy budget and be aware of who has direct responsibility for each one
Supporting the process of and responding to audit reports and implementation of recommendation
Reading and understanding the Academies Financial handbook and check the Academies compliance reporting any concerns to the Finance Business Partner and the Principal
Overseeing all contracts, register at the Academy, ensuring all information is kept up to date
Monitoring financial and quality issues relating to academy meals contract
Managing payroll, liaising with EPM as required
Working with Federation Estates Managers, Projects Team and procurement to check best value for money when the Academy is considering new contracts or services
Working with FBP when contracts are due for renewal and ascertain value for money and quality of service are in line with expectations
Communicating any concerns regarding contracts with suppliers as required
Supporting in any tendering process
Qualifications & ExperienceWe would like to hear from you if you have:
Qualifications to A level or equivalent
Knowledge of school finance systems
Knowledge of a variety of financial recording systems
Knowledge of the budget setting process
Understanding of the role and function of external audit
At least three years’ experience working in a finance department
Experience of working within financial controls
Experience of assisting with budget setting and budget management
For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack. Professional Development & BenefitsOur people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.Safeguarding NoticeThe Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.Equal OpportunitiesThe Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment. Next StepsIf you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.
Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.
The actual salary for this role will be £26,804.88-£28,381.95 (40 weeks per year, 37.5 hours per week). Main Areas of ResponsibilityYour responsibilities will include:
Creating purchase orders
Obtaining authorisation for, coding and posting purchase invoices
Checking of all deliveries to the Academy, liaising with site staff as to distribution of order
Raising cheques / BACS for purchase invoices
Making payments
Journal entries on accounting system
Cash / bank reconciliation and reports
Collecting money from students for educational visits
Reconciling the petty cash on a monthly basis
Reconciliation of academy credit card
Liaison with cost centre budget holders
Maintenance of Fixed Asset Register
Academy banking
Assisting Finance Business Partner in monthly balance sheet reconciliations
Dealing with incoming and outgoing finance post
To administer finances in relation to peripatetic music tuition, music subsidies and Food Technology consumable costs
Raising sales invoices for lettings
Banking of cash and cheques
Supporting the Academy in finding ways to raise capital funding
Creating a business plan for lettings and liaising with the Executive Principal to action
Supporting any Academy training events that may raise capital
Giving financial support for any capital spend projects
Finding ways in which the Academy can get better value for money, through better procurement or other innovative ideas
Working with Federation Business Partner and Principal in agreeing priorities for expenditure and monitoring the effectiveness of spending and usage of resources to ensure value for money
Ensuring all matters regarding Academy insurance are dealt with in line with Federation procedures
Ensuring the academy's financial procedures operate in accordance with statutory guidelines, Academies financial regulations and guidelines set out in the academy's policies and procedures
Providing statistical information as required by the DCSF, other funding providers and Principal
Familiarity with all the different funding streams that make up the academy budget and be aware of who has direct responsibility for each one
Supporting the process of and responding to audit reports and implementation of recommendation
Reading and understanding the Academies Financial handbook and check the Academies compliance reporting any concerns to the Finance Business Partner and the Principal
Overseeing all contracts, register at the Academy, ensuring all information is kept up to date
Monitoring financial and quality issues relating to academy meals contract
Managing payroll, liaising with EPM as required
Working with Federation Estates Managers, Projects Team and procurement to check best value for money when the Academy is considering new contracts or services
Working with FBP when contracts are due for renewal and ascertain value for money and quality of service are in line with expectations
Communicating any concerns regarding contracts with suppliers as required
Supporting in any tendering process
Qualifications & ExperienceWe would like to hear from you if you have:
Qualifications to A level or equivalent
Knowledge of school finance systems
Knowledge of a variety of financial recording systems
Knowledge of the budget setting process
Understanding of the role and function of external audit
At least three years’ experience working in a finance department
Experience of working within financial controls
Experience of assisting with budget setting and budget management
For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack. Professional Development & BenefitsOur people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.Safeguarding NoticeThe Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.Equal OpportunitiesThe Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment. Next StepsIf you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.
Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.