Senior Finance Officer

Required: March/April 2026
Reporting to: Finance Director

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated Senior Finance Officer to play a key role in supporting the smooth and accurate operation of the School’s finance function. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain comprehensive experience across all core areas of accounting, including ledgers, reconciliations, payroll support, budgeting, and audit preparation. You will contribute to maintaining robust financial controls and compliance while developing your expertise in strategic planning and reporting. This is an exciting role for an individual looking to broaden their skills and gain valuable leadership experience as part of a small, collaborative team, in a busy and richly rewarding environment.

The School

The King’s School is one of the dozen oldest schools in the country and has a proud heritage dating back to at least 1087, with a re-foundation in 1541. King’s is the Cathedral School in the city of Gloucester, whilst the surrounding county is home to many excellent grammar and state Schools, as well as other independent Schools. King’s is held in high regard amidst this competitive area; our academic, co-curricular and pastoral attainment is second to none. As a result, the last three ISI reports for King’s have all been classified as ‘excellent’ in every area. Local media brand SoGlos has awarded King’s the title of ‘Independent School of the Year’ or ‘Highly Commended’ in every one of the last five years – a feat unmatched by any other local independent school – most recently winning the award in May 2025. Despite the multiple national-scale challenges of recent years, King’s has seen its pupil roll growing steadily and parental satisfaction scoring very highly indeed. With careful investment in the campus and facilities, as well as a continuous focus on improving teaching and learning and developing our outstanding pastoral care, King’s is now seen as a dynamic, forward-thinking and impressive place to study and to work.
 

Main Duties

• Finance Office Supervision: Providing guidance to colleagues and supervising pension operations, debt management, billing and invoicing, and accounts. You will act as the senior member of the team, whilst ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction and management of the finance function sits with the Finance Director;
• Purchase Ledger: Generating accurate bi-weekly payment runs and remittance advices, ensuring suppliers are paid promptly and maintaining positive working relationships;
• Nominal Ledger: Completing timely reconciliations of key control accounts, supported by clear documentation that contributes to reliable and well-governed financial reporting;
• Sales Ledger: Collating pupil billing information, leading fee note generation through the billing system, and ensuring income is correctly recorded and reconciled;
• Bank Accounts: Posting non-purchase ledger payments and performing regular reconciliations to maintain a clear and up-to-date picture of cash flow;
• School Fee Plan: Managing monthly fee submissions and reconciling related income, helping to ensure smooth and accurate collection processes;
• Staff Expenses: Processing staff expense claims efficiently and accurately, supporting colleagues across the School;
• Expense Accounts: Performing termly reconciliations of key expense accounts to help maintain accurate budget tracking and financial controls;
• Early Years Funding: Preparing and submitting Early Years (Nursery) funding claims to the County Council and reconciling related income;
• Pupil Deposits: Overseeing the accounting and documentation of new pupil deposits, ensuring funds are recorded and managed correctly;
• Credit Control: Taking the lead in routine credit control activity, helping to maintain healthy cash flow across the School;
• Audit Preparation: Supporting the Finance Director in preparing schedules and documentation for external audits, helping to ensure a straightforward and well-organised audit process;
• Budget Monitoring & Reporting: Preparing budget reports to track and control departmental spending;
• Compliance: Ensuring that all financial activities are carried out in line with School policies, procedures, and relevant regulations;
• Payroll Support: Providing support to the Payroll Clerk during monthly payroll processing by reviewing and checking calculations;
• Other Duties: Undertaking any other tasks that may reasonably be assigned by the Finance Director, Chief Operating Officer or Headmaster to support the smooth operation of the Bursary.

Personal Profile

• ACA/ACCA qualification or equivalent experience;
• Excellent IT skills and sound knowledge of Office 365 (particularly Excel);
• Proficiency with digital accounting software;
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and prioritise workload effectively;
• A meticulous eye for detail;
• Outstanding communication skills, able to work well within a small team and establish good working relationships at all levels;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times;
• Prior knowledge of iFinance / iSAMS would be advantageous, but training will be provided.

Hours of Work

The Senior Finance Officer will work from 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour lunch break.

Salary

Up to £40,000 per annum according to skills and experience.

Holidays

Holiday entitlement will be five weeks per annum plus Bank Holidays, rising to six weeks after 5 years of service.

Benefits:

• A contributory pension through Aviva APTIS;
• Generous fee remission for children at King’s;
• Before / After School Care for children at King’s;
• Access to a Doctor for advice and short consultations;
• Staff Wellbeing Programme;
• Staff Wellbeing Day (additional leave);
• Cycle to Work Scheme;
• Lunches;
• Parking.

Applications

Candidates should apply by clicking on Apply Now.  A CV is not required.

Closing date for applications is Monday 26th January at 12:00 noon. However, early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to make an appointment prior to the published closing date, if appropriate.

For further information, please contact Mr Harry Fuller via details to the right of this advert.

The King’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including: references from previous employers, a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the enhanced level, as well as eligibility to work in the UK (in compliance with UK immigration regulations). Interviews will be conducted in person, and they will explore candidates’ suitability to work with children.   In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education an online search will be carried out for short listed candidates only – this will consist of a Google and social media search. The search is looking for anything that  calls into question the candidate’s suitability to work with children, or could cause harm to the reputation of The King’s School. Any information discovered will be shared with members of the interviewing panel prior to interview.