Join Our Team as Assistant Finance Manager at The Swan School

Are you looking for a fulfilling finance role where your skills can truly make a difference? The Swan School is seeking a bright, enthusiastic, and organised professional to join us as our Assistant Finance Manager. If you are passionate about financial excellence and want to work in a collaborative, supportive educational environment, we would love to hear from you.

What This Role Offers

• Salary and Grade: Grade 11

• Hours: 29.6 hours per week (0.8 FTE), term time plus 3 weeks (41.5 weeks per year)

• Contract Type: Permanent

• Location: The Swan School

• Reporting To: School Business Manager

This part-time schedule offers an excellent opportunity for work-life balance, giving you the chance to thrive professionally while enjoying the unique benefits of working term time.

About the Role

In this vital position, you will work hand-in-hand with our School Business Manager and Headteacher to ensure the day-to-day finance functions run like clockwork. You will help maintain our financial systems, champion best practices, and support the brilliant team that keeps our school community moving forward.

Your day-to-day highlights will include:

• Budgeting and Strategy: Assisting with annual budgets, monitoring performance, and helping to identify opportunities for financial efficiency.

• Core Finance Processes: Overseeing essential month-end duties, managing accounts payable and receivable, and handling bank and credit card reconciliations.

• Payroll Collaboration: Working closely with the School Business Manager and HR Manager to ensure our monthly payroll runs accurately and smoothly.

• Community Connection: Communicating kindly and effectively with parents regarding payments and financial support, as well as guiding budget holders across the school.

• Team Leadership: Supervising and supporting our fantastic Finance Officer, helping them grow through guidance and regular appraisals.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a proactive team player who has a sharp eye for detail and a warm approach to communication. To fit right in, you should bring:

• Education: A-level education or equivalent. Being AAT Level 4 qualified, working towards it, or possessing equivalent experience is essential.

• Experience: A solid background working in a finance department or accounting practice, with hands-on experience managing control accounts, reconciliations, accruals, and prepayments.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel. Experience with accounting packages used in the education sector is a huge plus.

• Aptitude: The ability to analyse data, solve problems creatively, work independently, and stay calm under pressure when deadlines approach.

If you have experience working specifically within a school environment, that is a wonderful bonus, but we welcome all talented finance professionals with the right drive and core skills.

RLT Connection & Benefits

As part of the River Learning Trust, you will have access to high-quality CPLD pathways and the security of recognised continuous service. Additional benefits include:

• Enrolment in a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.

• Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme focused on your wellbeing.

• A genuinely flexible approach to working hours for the right candidate.

RLT Connection & Benefits

As part of the River Learning Trust, you will have access to high-quality CPLD pathways and the security of recognised continuous service. Additional benefits include:

• Enrolment in a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.

• Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme focused on your wellbeing.

• A genuinely flexible approach to working hours for the right candidate.

River Learning Trust and The Swan School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism. We conduct checks and online searches in accordance with Keeping Children Safe In Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

For documentation, please see RLT Safer Recruitment Documents. Visit our website www.riverlearningtrust.org for up-to-date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour policies.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants, click this link: List of offences that are not filtered.

We don't just accept difference; we celebrate "different contributions" and are dedicated to building an inclusive environment where every colleague can thrive. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you to be at your best.

Note: We do not accept CVs.

Deadline for Applications: 8am on Friday 10th July. However, the School reserves the right to consider and interview exceptional candidates early.

Flexible Working: We are committed to flexible working and are open to conversations about alternative arrangements for the right candidate.

• Discover Your Impact: See the attached Job Pack and apply via MyNewTerm

• Start a Conversation: For an informal discussion regarding contract hours or to arrange a visit to our facilities, please contact headteacher@theswanschool.org.uk or call 01865 416 070.

• The Future Path: Not the right time? Register with our Talent Pool via the Swan School website, to hear about new opportunities first.