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If you would like to apply for this position, please go to: www.stcat.co.uk/careers-and-training/trust-vacancies/ . Only applications through this route will be considered.

Central Finance Assistant

STCAT LL3 Scale points 6 - 8 - 37 hours per week

All year around or Term time plus two weeks also available

Salary if all year around £21,968-£22,777

Pro-rate £19,391 to £20,009

Responsible to: Trust Finance Manager

St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust is a family of 14 Catholic schools (increasing to 20) based in the South of the Diocese of Northampton located in Luton, Central Bedfordshire,Buckinghamshire and Slough. We are seeking to appoint a Finance Assistant. The role will be working within the Central Trust Finance team based in Luton/Houghton Regis. The post-holder will support the Trust Finance Manager (TFM) to provide an efficient and effective finance and accounting service.The post holder will need to communicate effectively with all members of the Trust community as well manage and prioritise their workload.Applications

• The closing date for applications is 6th January 2023
• Start as soon as possible thereafter.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Central Finance Assistant

Summary of Main Responsibilities
Finance

• Work closely with the Trust Finance Manager (TFM) to ensure smooth operation of all finance matters and contribute to the development of basic finance systems and practices.
• Support the TFM by inputting into sales and purchase ledgers from source documents.
• Set up new suppliers and maintain supplier information.
• Ensure resource request forms are completed on Sage, capturing all expenditure as and when it occurs and ensure it is authorised by the budget holder.
• Support budget holders in showing them how to post resource request forms.
• Prepare purchase orders on Sage and ensure all expenditure is accurately coded.
• Place orders with various suppliers as per the authorised resource request forms.
• Ensure delivery notes are obtained and matched to invoices.
• Ensure deliveries are received by individuals who placed the orders.
• Match purchase orders to invoices and post invoices onto Sage.
• Ensure swift payment of invoices by ensuring original authorised invoices are provided to the central team for payments in a timely manner.
• Deal with supplier queries and resolve any finance related queries
• Generate sales invoices as and when required.
• Input accounting data into the accounting system with speed and accuracy.
• Plan, organise and manage own workload to ensure your contribution to the school’s financial reporting process is achieved in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensure that invoices from the school caterers match reports on school meal numbers before processing.
• Post all income, debit debits and purchase card transactions on a timely basis.
• Prepare trip reconciliations.
• Assist with external and internal auditing processes.

General

• Be aware of/comply with all school policies and procedures including those relating to child protection, health and safety, equal opportunities, confidentiality/data protection, reporting concerns to the appropriate person.
• Carry out all duties with regard to the school’s policies and codes of conduct
• Set high expectations of conduct and act as a good role model for others
• Deal with queries or concerns from parents in a courteous, sensitive and pro-active way
• To attend relevant meetings, training sessions and school events as required
• To assist in school emergencies as required, including locating relevant staff, contacting emergency services and completing necessary documentation
• To cover for absent colleagues as directed

Additional Duties

• To play a full part in the life of school community including duties to support the ethos and encourage pupils and colleagues to follow this example;
• To actively engage in the performance management process;
• To continue personal development as agreed.

Additional Notes

• Whilst every effort has been made to outline the main responsibilities of the post each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees are expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job profile.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION: Central Finance Assistant

Essential Desirable
Qualifications Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, including creating and editing word and creating and manipulating Excel spreadsheets.

• GCSE Maths/English (or equivalent) X
• Accounting Qualification or Part Qualification/Studying such as

AAT or Degree

• At least intermediate knowledge of financial accounting systems and software.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Good English and maths skills, including use of standard written

English, correct grammar and accurate spelling

Experience Finance experience of at least 3 years. X

• Experience of working successfully as a member of a team and across teams to resolve issues.
• Experience of administrating a Purchase Ledger System and making payments to suppliers.
• Experience of data entry and reporting using SAGE or similar accounting system
• Experience of finance/accounting – processing/reconciling, paying invoices, ordering resources etc.

Attitudes / Ability to multi task, prioritise workload and to keep calm under
skills pressure.

• Ability to respond to people/individuals and provide a warm, welcoming approach to all visitors/callers to the school.
• Ability to quickly understand and respond appropriately to policies and procedures in depth and respond quickly to any changes in legislation
• Understanding of relevant policies/codes of practice and awareness of professional legislation.
• A willingness to participate in in-service training and professional development.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with other members of the administration team, teaching and support staff and senior managers.
• To work with accuracy and to a consistently high standard.
• To proof-read/check documents, spreadsheets, financial analysis, invoices etc. for accuracy/errors.

Personal Polite, professional and approachable manner at all times
attributes Ability to work hard with competing deadlines, prioritising appropriately, and maintaining good humour.

• Pro-active, enthusiastic approach to role
• To believe in the importance of team work and a collaborative approach, and be able to build supportive working relationships with colleagues.
• Ability to work both independently and flexibly and adapt to change.

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• Energetic and enthusiastic with a naturally positive outlook.
• Can-do attitude.

Other Previously worked in a School Office or in a School Environment.

• An understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection in a school environment
• Knowledge of Health and Safety and Risk Assessments
• Supportive of the Catholic ethos of the school.

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Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £21,968.00-£22,777.00 per year

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Luton, LU1 5PP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)