Robert Half are proud to have exclusively partnered with Summer Fields School to recruit a Payroll & Finance Officer. This newly created role combines payroll management with finance support, offering a unique opportunity to join one of the country's leading prep schools with a reputation spanning over 160 years.
Job Title: Payroll & Finance Officer
Location: Summertown, North Oxford (mainly on-site)
Salary: £37,000 - £40,000 depending on experience
Full-time | Small collaborative team | Beautiful 70-acre campus
Summer Fields is a full-boarding and day school for approximately 300 boys aged 4-13. The school offers excellent teaching, traditional values and exceptional pastoral care, with outstanding exam results achieved by leavers who regularly win scholarships to top public schools in the country.
This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a close-knit Bursary team in a friendly, community-focused environment where staff wellbeing is a priority. Many staff have been at the school for years, testament to the positive working culture.
The Role
This is a key role responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of payroll, while also supporting the Finance Manager with all aspects of finance, delivering efficient partnering and support to the school community.
* Oversee the end-to-end monthly payroll process, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and full statutory compliance.
* Work collaboratively with HR to process information on starters, leavers, salary changes and statutory payments.
* Manage the collection and verification of timesheet data for staff on variable hours, ensuring accurate salary calculations.
* Process monthly payments, produce variance reports, complete HMRC submissions and maintain robust payroll governance.
* Liaise with the current payroll system provider and potentially support the selection and implementation of a new system.
* Support the Finance Manager with Accounts Payable and Receivable, including invoice processing, supplier payments and ensuring smooth running of the Purchase Ledger.
* Assist with the preparation of information for fee billing cycles and inputting data onto the Fees Ledger.
* Support term-end procedures including journals and reconciliations, annual budgets, management accounts and audit preparation.
* Work closely with the Finance Director and HR Manager as part of a small, collaborative Bursary team.
The Candidate
* Significant experience of running the end-to-end payroll process in a similar sized organisation.
* Strong experience working with timesheets and variable pay calculations.
* Experience of changing or implementing payroll systems would be desirable.
* Collaborative team player who thrives in a small team environment and can build strong relationships across the Bursary.
* Organised, detail-oriented and able to manage competing priorities across payroll and finance responsibilities.
* Comfortable working mainly on-site as part of a close-knit team.
Working at Summer Fields
Summer Fields is set within 70 acres of stunning grounds in North Oxford, with superb facilities that are continually enhanced. The school offers a warm, community atmosphere where staff are encouraged to get involved in school life. With around 160 full-time and part-time staff, many of whom are long-serving, the school clearly provides a supportive and rewarding place to work.
Benefits
* £37,000 - £40,000 depending on experience.
* Full-time, 40 hours per week.
* 5 weeks' holiday plus bank holidays.
* Free lunch on-site during term time.
* On-site parking.
* Pension scheme (4% employer contribution for first 2 years, 6% thereafter).
* Group life assurance (3x annual salary).
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Annual flu vaccination.
* Access to staff swimming club.
* Discounted on-site holiday activity clubs.
Safeguarding
Summer Fields is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
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