Finance Officer at Maiden Erlegh Trust

11 Days Remaining

Job Reference #

EDV/2026/MET/53544

Location

Maiden Erlegh School Silverdale Road, Earley, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 7HS

Contract Type

Permanent

Contract Term

Full-Time

Salary

£31,537.00 - £35,412.00 Annually (Actual)
37 hours per week, all year round

Closing Date

9:00am, Mon 16th Mar, 2026

Start Date

ASAP

Positions Available

Positions Available 2

Interview Date(s)

TBC

Interview Date(s) TBC

About this Role

This is a pivotal operational finance role, providing high-quality financial support to allocated academies and ensuring financial transactions are processed accurately, controls are consistently applied, and academy-level financial information is reliable and meaningful

The Finance Officer combines strong technical finance capability with practical academy understanding and sound financial judgement. You will ensure day-to-day financial activity is processed correctly and that financial information is accurate, understood and usable for budgeting and forecasting

You will also supervise Finance Assistants within the hub, promoting consistent, high-quality financial practice across academies

Key responsibilities

Operational finance delivery

• Ensure financial transactions are processed accurately and authorised appropriately in line with Trust policies

• Act as finance contact for allocated academies, supporting Headteachers, school business professionals and budget holders with day-to-day queries

• Promote compliance with Trust financial procedures and delegated authorities

Accounts payable and transaction processing

• Process and review purchase invoices, ensuring correct coding and authorisation

• Support payment processing and preparation of academy payrun information

• Reconcile payment cards and resolve supplier queries promptly

• Monitor outstanding purchase orders and goods received notes

Accounts receivable and income monitoring

• Support financial monitoring of educational visits and trips to ensure full cost recovery

• Assist with SEN EHCP income monitoring and invoicing

• Monitor outstanding income and provide analysis to the Finance Business Partner

Month-End and financial reporting

• Prepare accruals, prepayments and journals for review

• Maintain reconciliations and supporting schedules for audit purposes

• Monitor income and expenditure, escalating discrepancies appropriately

Leadership and oversight

• Line manage Finance Assistants, reviewing outputs and supporting development

The Ideal candidate will have:

• Relevant finance qualification or demonstrable finance experience

• Experience in an operational finance or accounts role, including invoice processing and reconciliations

• Experience supporting month-end activities such as accruals, prepayments and journals

• Strong Excel skills, including formulas and data reconciliation

• Experience supervising or supporting Finance Assistants (or capability to do so)

• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities

• Confidence communicating financial information to non-finance colleagues

Studying towards or qualified in AAT (or equivalent) is desirable

Why join Maiden Erlegh Trust?

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and staff. We are ambitious for all and support everyone to reach their full potential

This role offers:

• A collaborative Shared Services environment

• Opportunities to contribute across multiple academies

• Professional development and progression

• The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to financial excellence within education

An enhanced DBS check is required

If you are a motivated finance professional who values accuracy, accountability and service, we welcome your application.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5000 students across 11 schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.

Benefits

Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website here. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across our Trust benefit from a range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.

• Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, with auto-enrolment into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Earning Schemes.

• Annual Leave: We offer a generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.

• ME Day: Colleagues may request one additional day’s leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.

• Professional Development: We offer a comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD. Colleagues also take part in our annual Conference, a full day of workshops, networking and learning for all staff.

Colleagues can also access a range of professional development opportunities using Apprenticeship Levy funding, and benefit from professional development networks.

• Hybrid Working: For eligible roles, we support a flexible approach to working arrangements, balancing remote and office-based work where appropriate.

• Perkbox: Colleagues have access to Perkbox, which offers a wide range of discounts and wellness resources and receive 25 Perk points each month which can be exchanged for goods and services.

• Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff, and free eye tests are provided to those who are eligible.

• Employee Assistance Programme: Incorporating discount vouchers, access to 24/7 support and more.

• Mental Health First Aid support.

• Recognition and Community: We regularly celebrate staff achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.

• Employee Referral Scheme.

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our Trust and its schools, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Contact Details

  Sylvie De Groote
  01189296020
  s.degroote@maidenerleghtrust.org

Maiden Erlegh Trust would like all candidates to answer specific questions for the personal statement section. For reference, here is a preview of the questions/headings:

Please write your personal statement here:
I confirm that if I am successful in securing the post, the personal email I have provided on this document can be uploaded to Every to process my onboarding paperwork
I confirm that if I am successful in securing the post, the personal email I have provided on this document can be uploaded to National College to receive my induction training
I confirm that if I am successful in securing the post, that I consent to processing my DBS check using the personal details provided.