Finance Assistant

Finance Assistant (Temporary)

• Job Type: Part-Time (Temporary)
• Hours: Approximately 15 hours per week, potentially more
• Location: Cobham, Surrey (Parking available on site)
• Flexible Working Pattern: Ideally across 3 working days- 100% office-based

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Finance Assistant to join a busy and supportive finance team within a growing educational organisation. This role is ideal for someone with strong purchase ledger and finance administration experience who enjoys working independently and building positive relationships with staff and suppliers. The organisation is currently implementing a new finance system, offering a great chance to contribute to a significant period of development and transformation.

Day-to-day of the role:

Purchasing

• Process purchase orders in line with financial regulations and procedures.
• Review and amend coding to ensure expenditure is allocated correctly against budgets.
• Investigate costs and identify opportunities to achieve value for money.
• Act as the first point of contact for finance-related enquiries.
• Support staff with raising and tracking orders, supplier selection, and procurement queries.
• Liaise professionally with suppliers, contractors, budget holders, and external organisations.

Invoicing and Payments

• Process supplier invoices accurately and within agreed payment terms.
• Match invoices to purchase orders and goods received records.
• Monitor outstanding goods received notes and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with preparing payment runs and supporting BACS payment processes.
• Handle supplier and staff queries relating to invoices and payments.
• Process staff expenses and maintain accurate records.
• Issue remittance advice and sales receipts where required.

Supplier Management

• Set up new suppliers, ensuring all required documentation is completed.
• Maintain and review supplier records.
• Verify related-party suppliers and escalate where necessary.
• Ensure IR35 checks are completed and appropriately recorded.

Systems and Administration

• Support user administration for purchasing systems.
• Deliver training to new system users where required.
• Maintain electronic financial records and ensure documentation is accurately attached to transactions.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of financial systems and processes.

Audit and Compliance

• Support internal and external audit requirements.
• Prepare and provide documentation in line with year-end and audit schedules.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Previous purchase ledger, accounts payable, or finance administration experience.
• Experience processing purchase orders and invoices.
• Good understanding of the procure-to-pay process.
• Desirable: Experience in the education sector, using the IMP finance system, and knowledge of public sector procurement processes.

Benefits

• Flexible part-time hours across 3 days per week.
• Involvement in a significant finance system implementation project.
• Long-term temporary assignment expected to continue until at least Easter, with the potential to extend further.
• On-site parking available.

• Additional Information
• Basic DBS check required.