Finance & Payroll Officer

• Finance_and_Payroll_Officer

Finance and Payroll Officer
Full time, 35 Hours Per week (FT) 8am to 4pm. Year round
Salary Scale: S02 subject to evaluation - Currently £40,182 to £42,060

Do you have an eye for detail, have a flair for finance and like to think innovatively? Do you like juggling multiple tasks and working to deadlines with purpose?

If so, this could be the right job for you....

We are looking for a professional and motivated individual who is keen to develop their finance career within the education sector.

Barking Abbey School and Eastbrook School are working together under the same leadership, and we are looking for a finance/payroll officer to assist with the finance and payroll functions in both schools under the guidance and support of the Finance Manager and a highly experienced School Business Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to streamline both schools finance and payroll functions.

A financial background is essential to work with and support the Finance Manager in further developing the finance and payroll functions within both Schools.

You will be reporting to and assisting the finance manager with all day-to-day aspects of the finance and payroll functions of both schools such as processing payments, invoicing and sales, payroll, preparation of budgets and the production of monthly and annual management accounts and returns

The combined budget for both schools is in excess of £33m pa. Each school has two monthly payroll runs with monthly payroll costs totalling near £2m with two separate systems and providers. Currently across the two schools there are over 550 staff on the monthly payroll reports and runs.

This is an exciting time to provide the right person with the opportunity to develop their finance and payroll career within the education sector.

The successful candidate will:

• Have experience of finance and payroll functions not necessarily in education but you must have an
understanding of education finance and a willingness to continue to learn adapt and grow
• Be able to produce budgetary information for school leaders, the local authority and Governors in a way that they can understand.
• Be able to embed simple robust systems for payroll, invoice processing and all other financial functions.
• Understand and adhere to principals around the use and protection of public funds
• Have a good understanding of accounting processes, and standards as set out in local authority, EFSA and DFE guidance.
• Be highly organised and able to deliver workstreams to tight deadlines.
• Be able to develop strong professional relationships with all school staff
• Have a customer focused approach with high standards and expectations
• Be passionate about providing a service that proactively supports the daily operation of the school and is in line with financial regulations and school’s wider regulatory framework.
• Assist with all day-to-day aspects of the finance and payroll functions of both schools such as processing payments, invoicing and sales, payroll, preparation of budgets and the production of monthly and annual management accounts and returns
• Be qualified, part qualified, or willing to undertake either an Accountancy/Business management or
other relevant qualification (e.g. ADSBM, CIPFA, AAT, ACCA, CIMA),

In return we can offer you:

• An Outstanding school (Ofsted 2024)
• A school where we get to know our students and staff well, find out what they are good at and develop their talents
• A professional, friendly and supportive working environment
• The opportunity to access a wide range of CPD opportunities within and beyond school
• A school which understands the importance of staff well-being and workload management
• An experienced School Business Manager, with a track record of supporting staff to develop their careers
• Work as a member of the finance team, developing your skills and making an impact to the lives of our students

The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Check if not registered on the Update Service. Immediate start available.

If you believe you have the skills and expertise to make a contribution to our school and work as part of a friendly professional and welcoming team, we hope that you will apply. We encourage applications from suitably qualified, enthusiastic and experienced professionals.

Full details are set out in the Application pack including a job description and person spec.

We believe it’s important that are our staff are happy and thriving and want them to enjoy working in the school sharing our ethos and values. With this in mind, visits to the school are warmly welcomed prior to interview and will be held Friday 26th September 2025.

To book your appointment email: jobs@barkingabbeyschool.co.uk

Barking Abbey serves a diverse community and positively welcome applications from all sections of the community. If you are interested in making a difference in young people’s lives whatever your background or history, please apply.

Barking Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and is an Equal
Opportunities Employer. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process, including Disclosure check, will be undertaken on all successful applicants