Senior Finance Assistant; AWDO-P14455

Senior Finance Assistant

An excellent opportunity for a finance professional with experience in bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable and financial reporting to support a busy education finance function. You will play a key role in financial systems, VAT returns, reconciliations and ledger management.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you:
Accounts Payable Clerk, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Bookkeeper, Payroll Administrator, Finance Administrator, Senior Finance Officer, Finance Team Leader, Accounts Team Leader, Finance Officer

Salary: £25,064 to £30,348 per annum (pro rata salary) + Benefits

Location:

Coventry, West Midlands

Job type:
Full-Time, Permanent (term time only)

Working hours:

37 hours per week, 39 weeks per annum, Monday to Thursday 8:00am – 4:00pm, Friday 8:00am – 3:30pm

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Senior Finance Assistant to join a central finance team within a growing education organisation.

As a Senior Finance Assistant you will provide comprehensive financial support, ensuring accurate bookkeeping, reconciliations, VAT processing and effective operation of financial systems including Xero.

The Senior Finance Assistant will support ledger management, BACS payments, credit control and month‑end processes while helping budget holders maintain financial compliance and strong financial control.

• Supervising Finance Assistants:
  Providing guidance, training and day‑to‑day support across the finance function
• Managing Payment Runs:
  Preparing and uploading BACS, same day and international payments for approval
• Processing VAT Returns:
  Preparing monthly VAT submissions and reconciling VAT control accounts
• Maintaining Ledgers:
  Managing purchase and sales ledgers, posting journals and completing reconciliations
• Credit Control:
  Monitoring outstanding balances and proactively chasing overdue payments
• Cash Handling and Banking:
  Ensuring income is receipted, banked and accurately recorded
• Supplier and Customer Set‑Up:
  Validating and approving new supplier and customer accounts
• Budget Support:
  Assisting budget holders with financial monitoring and responding to queries
• Credit Card and Petty Cash Management:
  Processing transactions and reconciling accounts on Xero
• Financial Compliance:
  Supporting audit readiness and ensuring adherence to financial procedures

• GCSEs grade C or above in Maths and English (or equivalent)
• AAT qualified with current membership OR relevant work‑based experience
• Previous experience in a finance function including cash handling and reconciliations
• Experience with accounting software such as Xero and Microsoft Excel
• Strong knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable and bookkeeping processes
• Excellent numeracy, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and data security
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively within a team and across multiple sites
• Full driving licence and access to transport

• Experience with in an education finance environment
• Experience supporting audit processes and statutory compliance
• Knowledge of budgeting and financial reporting within the public sector

• Competitive rates of pay
• Professional development opportunities
• Career pathways across the organisation
• Teacher / Local Authority Pension Scheme
• Online retail discount
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Family Friendly policies to support family & carer commitments
• Flexible Working Arrangements

This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and Social Media check.

Job
-P14455