Assistant Bursar

Assistant Bursar

Location: Holywood, Northern Ireland BT18
Contract: Full-time Permanent 36.25 hours/week (Mon Fri, 8:30am 4:30pm)
Salary: £34,434 £ 39,152 per annum

Sullivan Upper School is a prestigious co-educational and interdenominational grammar school in Holywood, Northern Ireland, offering both Secondary and Preparatory education. Known for academic excellence, the school fosters a supportive, inclusive, and values-driven environment, where staff and pupils thrive.

We are seeking a proactive and highly skilled Assistant Bursar to support the Bursar in managing the school s financial operations. This is a senior, hands-on role with management responsibility to maintain robust financial controls and ensure audit-ready records.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys variety, thrives in a busy environment, and wants to contribute to the smooth running of a high-performing school. You will play a key role in promoting financial integrity across the school.

• Manage income streams
  , including school fees, Gift Aid, premises hire, and cashless systems
• Oversee accounts payable, expense claims, and credit card reconciliations
• Reconcile bank
  , control, and suspense accounts monthly
• Support payroll inputs, processes and year-end submissions
• Maintain VAT compliance and manage correct VAT accounting
• Oversee school meals systems and Free School Meals administration
• Prepare and input journals, maintain financial schedules, and ensure audit-ready records
• Champion strong internal controls, financial probity, and compliance

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience in financial management
  , ideally in education or the public sector
• Strong knowledge of VAT, HMRC regulations, and internal financial controls
• Hands‑on experience with payroll
  , accounts payable, accounts receivable, (including direct debit management) and reconciliations
• Excellent organisational, reporting, and Microsoft Excel skills
• Integrity, discretion, and commitment to safeguarding and GDPR
• A recognised accounting qualification

• Competitive salary and structured working hours
• Opportunity to work in a prestigious, high-performing school
• Supportive, professional, and collaborative team environment

Sullivan Upper School is committed to safeguarding children and young people. The successful candidate will undergo enhanced Access

NI clearance and pre-employment checks.

The closing date for receipt of applications is: 12:00 noon on Monday 9th March 2026

Click to apply today.

Additional relevant skills:
Finance Manager, Accounts Manager, School Accountant, Financial Controller, Accounts Payable/Receivable.