* The Tilian Partnership
* Address: Tilian House, Skinners Lane, School Lane, Bardwell, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 1AD
* Salary: £ £21.14 per hour
* Hours: 26 hours per week, 42 weeks per year, Working pattern to be negotiated
* Contract: Permanent
* Reference: 8277
We are seeking a highly motivated finance professional, with excellent communication and IT skills to join our busy central MAT team on the Norfolk/Suffolk border as a Trust Finance Officer.
The Tilian Partnership is a Trust that is passionate about ensuring that every child reaches their potential, whilst developing their excitement for learning and exploring the world around them, creating opportunities and experiences designed to help them discover and flourish.
Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer and working in tandem with the Trust's existing Finance Officer you will have operational financial oversight of a portfolio of our primary schools. You will be supported by our Trust Finance Assistants, who will work closely with you to ensure the schools within your portfolio are offered a high-quality finance support service.
You will already have experience of working in the education sector, with strong financial skills to ensure our Trust and its schools are working within realistic and balanced budgets. You will be instrumental in the preparation of monthly management accounts, annual budgets and supporting our schools in maximising efficiency and best value for money.
This is a flexible hybrid role, combining remote working with regular attendance at the Central MAT office based at Bardwell, near Bury St Edmunds as the work requires.
Main responsibilities:
* Lead the preparation of management accounts and forecasts for your portfolio, and supporting the schools' understanding of their financial results.
* Lead the annual budget process for your portfolio.
* Prepare and process weekly BACS payments.
* Process payroll journals, allocating payroll costs to each location and reviewing budget system data.
* Prepare and submit monthly VAT claims.
* Reconcile the central MAT Bank accounts.
* Visit MAT schools on a cyclical basis or as and when required.
What you will be expected to demonstrate
* Practical experience of using a computerised financial accounting system for recording income and expenditure transactions, processing payroll and general journals, BACS payments, bank reconciliations and VAT returns.
* Experience of working in a school/academy office setting.
* Experience of working with budgets including budget setting, monitoring, and forecasting.
* Practical experience of creating spreadsheets to analyse financial information.
* The ability to self-motivate, work independently with acute attention to detail.
What we can offer you
* A unique rewarding opportunity to be part of a growing, friendly, and supportive team, with the ability to help shape future strategy, processes, and procedures.
* A commitment to your professional development.
* A flexible approach to working.
* A commitment to your personal well-being.
For more information
Please read the Job Description (word) and Person Specification (word)
For more information about us, please visit our website or contact Judith Haste, Chief Finance Officer, to arrange an informal chat by emailing
How to apply
Please complete the Application Form (Word).
Please ensure that you complete all relevant information on the application and email this to
Covering letters are acceptable but CVs are not.
Closing date: 9.00 am, 12 December 2026.
Statement on Child Protection and Safeguarding
The Tilian Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In our schools we create a culture of safeguarding which is the responsibility of all staff.
When applying for a post at one of our schools you will be subject to a safer recruitment process as
follows:
1. If you are shortlisted, you will be required to complete a self-disclosure, which you will need to bring with you to the interview (in an envelope marked confidential).
2. During the interview process, the interview panel will explore your skills, experience and attitudes and the questions asked will include questions about safeguarding of children
3. If you accept a post at one of our schools, you will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS.
Important documents to read
* Safeguarding Policy
* Tilian Code of Conduct for Staff
* Staff Induction Policy