Job Description

About Us

Blackwater Academy is an Alternative Provision school with sites across the West Midlands, dedicated to providing high-quality, supportive, and personalised education for young people who are unable to access mainstream education. We are committed to creating a nurturing environment where every student is given the opportunity to thrive.

As part of our continued growth and focus on operational excellence, we are looking for a reliable and detail-oriented Bookkeeper / Finance Assistant to join our small but committed central team.

Role Overview

The Bookkeeper / Finance Assistant will play a key role in supporting the financial operations of the school. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, managing both sales and purchase ledgers, handling staff expenses, and assisting the CFO and external accountants with reporting, compliance, and tax matters. The role will also include general finance administration and ad-hoc support tasks as required.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Ledger

Raise and send invoices in a timely manner Maintain accurate records of receivables Follow up on outstanding payments and liaise with customers as needed Reconcile income and monitor funding receipts

Accounts Payable

Process supplier invoices and ensure timely payments Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies Maintain accurate records of all payables

Payroll and staff expenses

Prepare payroll data file to share with the external accountants Manage any employee queries Process and review staff expense claims in line with school policy

Financial Reporting & Support

Prepare VAT returns Bank reconciliations and weekly aged debtor and creditor reports Assist CFO with preparation of monthly management accounts Support year-end processes and statutory returns Liaise with external accountants and other advisers as required Maintain records to support VAT and other tax filings

General Administration

Maintain organised digital and physical finance records Support the implementation of financial policies and controls Perform ad-hoc administrative tasks as required by the CFO or leadership team

Person Specification

Proven experience in a similar bookkeeping or finance assistant role, ideally in the education sector Strong working knowledge of accounting principles and practices Proficient in Quickbooks and Excel Excellent attention to detail and high level of accuracy Strong organisational and time-management skills Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 6 months

Pay: 20,000.00-30,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 17.5 per week

Benefits:

Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: In person