Regional Finance Assistant

We are looking to recruit a committed Finance Assistant to join our schools in the North London Region. You will have an important role to play in day-to-day financial management, ensuring compliance, high standards of financial probity and value for money across the academy. You will be responsible for resources ordering across the schools and liaise with senior leaders and the finance team to establish best practice.

We are looking for someone who has experience working with financial procedures, cash handling, and maintaining cash security, preferably within a school, public sector, or charitable organisation. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in spreadsheets and computerised accounting software, with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience., To take responsibility for the processing of financial transactions within the academy, including purchase orders, invoicing, credit card reconciliation, BACS payments and petty cash

To undertake monthly bank reconciliations

To achieve for the academy the most competitive pricing for goods and services in compliance with current and relevant procurement legislation and Ark policy

To maintain the finance filing systems, ensuring that records are suitable for audit purposes

To accurately administrate and manage the school resources ordering system across both primary and secondary phases

To ensure procurement best practice is adhered to

To work with the Senior Finance Manager to achieve the most competitive pricing for goods and services in compliance with current and relevant procurement legislation

To assist the North London Region, with the day-to-day financial processes and procedures required of the academy, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook

To ensure high standards of financial probity and value for money within the academy

To work in collaboration with Ark, and counterparts in other Ark academies

Right to work in the UK

Experience of financial procedures, cash handling and cash security

Experience in a school, similar public sector environment or charity (desirable)

Excellent literacy and communication skills, including written and oral

Highly developed skills in spreadsheet and computerised accountancy software

Excellent numerical and financial skills

Highly competent computer skills, in particular using Excel, Internet, Email and financial databases

Has good planning and organisational skills

Understands the importance of confidentiality and discretion

Strong attention to detail

An interest in learning about finance and procurement

Demonstrates resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of achievement

Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils

Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Our network of 39 schools reaches traditionally underserved communities in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. We educate 30,000 pupils and have nearly 3,000 teaching staff across our network. We also incubate and scale innovative ventures, which we roll out beyond our network of schools for the benefit of teachers, pupils and the education system as a whole. Current Ventures include Ark Curriculum Plus, which equips teachers with the subject expertise needed to ensure students succeed, and Ark Start, a growing chain of nurseries offering affordable, high-quality early years education.

Recently, Ark moved to new offices at EdCity - a unique not-for-profit development in West London, in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham council. EdCity is designed to bring mission-aligned organisations together to focus on improving the lives of children, especially through education. It offers leased offices, a range of venues for training and events, and an innovation hub for the education sector to connect, collaborate and learn together., Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years' service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays

Full office closure between Christmas and New Year

As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year

Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform

Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests