Finance Officer

About Us

Harris Academy Beckenham is a happy, energetic and all-inclusive 11-18 academy which is widely recognised as one of the most successful and highest performing schools in Bromley. We retained our 'Outstanding' judgement in May 2023 following our previous 'Outstanding' inspection in June 2017. We are one of 52 schools in the country to retain this judgment.

The academy is oversubscribed with 1,500 applicants applying each year for 180 places. The academy has a reputation of excellence, high standards of discipline and behaviour and a proven track record of academic success with outcomes significantly above national averages across all measures.

In 2019 we were designated as a 'World Class' school because of the amazing work we do to develop students' skills, character and competencies which rival and compete with those students from the very best schools internationally. We have since been re-accredited in 2022, confirmation that our Academy is, and continues to be, World Class.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:

• Management of purchase ordering
• Management of purchase invoices and staff expenses, including raising and completing BACs
• Ensuring all relevant academy bank reconciliations are processed on a weekly and monthly basis
• Managing credit card payments
• Reconciling petty cash and processing Academy banking for cash and cheques
• Processing of bursary claims
• Raising of Sales and Inter-company Invoices
• Liaising with cost centre budget holders in respect of their monitoring and reporting procedures
• Managing Parent Pay system
• Providing finance reports in relation to peripatetic Music tuition, Curriculum consumables being sold to Students including Trips reporting via Parentpay
• Dealing with finance related queries
• Maintaining an appropriate finance filing system
• Ensuring the academy's finance procedures operate in accordance with statutory guidance, Academies financial regulations and academy guidelines
• Reading and understanding the Academies Financial handbook and the Federation Scheme of Delegation
• Overseeing the contracts register at the Academy
• Supporting in any tendering process
• Working with the Federation Business Partner when contracts are due for renewal and ascertain value for money and quality of service are in line with expectations
• Working with Federation Business Partner and Principal in understanding priorities for expenditure and promoting effective spend of resources and ensuring value for money
• Assisting Finance Business Partner with internal and external audit requirement

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Educated 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 3 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 & Benefits

Our 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.