Write a short description of your company, a boilerplate of the business, service or product that you offer. Include your business idea and the target audience. This text is primarily supposed to be descriptive, not selling.
The Opportunity
Walthamstow is a vibrant, culturally rich district of East London experiencing significant urban regeneration, community investment, and economic growth. We are seeking a highly organized, analytical Finance Officer to join a progressive, high-performing community sixth form college. In this role, you will manage day-to-day financial operations and maintain strict fiscal controls, ensuring the college's resources are optimized to provide an exceptional educational environment for young people across the borough.
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The Department & Financial Culture
* You will join a dedicated, collaborative Finance and Operations team responsible for managing the college’s multi-million-pound annual budget.
* The department operates within a culture of transparency, efficiency, and meticulous compliance, balancing statutory educational funding requirements with commercial efficiency.
* As a major community educational provider, the college utilizes modern cloud-based accounting platforms and digital procurement systems to streamline financial reporting and resource allocation.
* We maintain a supportive, fast-paced working environment where the finance team works closely with department heads, senior leadership, and external auditors.
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Core Responsibilities
1. Transaction Management: Processing sales and purchase ledger transactions, managing invoices, and executing timely supplier payments in strict accordance with financial regulations.
2. Reconciliations & Cash Flow: Conducting monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations, monitoring cash flow, and managing petty cash allocations across college departments.
3. Budgetary Support: Assisting the Finance Manager in preparing monthly management accounts, monitoring departmental spend against agreed budgets, and identifying variances.
4. Funding Compliance: Helping administer student bursary funds, specialized educational grants, and payroll administration data, ensuring full compliance with ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) guidelines.
5. System Optimization: Maintaining accurate, up-to-date records on the college’s financial software, assisting with year-end audit preparation, and responding efficiently to staff financial queries.
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The Successful Candidate We are looking for an operational professional with exceptional numerical precision and a strong understanding of institutional financial practices. Requirements include:
* Professional Qualifications: Progress towards or completion of an accounting qualification (such as AAT Level 3/4, CIMA, or ACCA) is highly desirable, or equivalent demonstrable experience in a finance role.
* Sector Experience: Prior experience working within an educational setting (school, academy trust, or college) or the wider public/charitable sector is advantageous but not essential.
* Technical Proficiency: Strong IT literacy, including advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables) and experience navigating dedicated accounting software (such as Sage, PS Financials, or Civica).
* Analytical Precision: Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational habits, and the ability to manage competing deadlines under minimal supervision.
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Why Join Us?
* The opportunity to work in a vital community institution where your financial expertise directly supports the educational journeys of local young people.
* Clear pathways for professional development, including potential sponsorship for further accounting qualifications and specialized public-sector financial training.
* The opportunity to work in Walthamstow—a dynamic London hub boasting a famous street market, a thriving independent arts scene, excellent local amenities, and superb Victoria Line and Overground connections into central London.
* A supportive professional community that values operational excellence, workplace well-being, and a healthy work-life balance.
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How to Apply
Please submit your current CV and a brief cover letter to begin the application process.