Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Finance and Payroll Officer to join our friendly team within the central trust office in Congleton. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the financial and payroll functions across the Youth Engagement Schools Trust. The successful candidate will work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll, maintain financial records, and assist with budget monitoring and reporting Please click the 'apply now' button for more details and to apply via our candidate portal.

This is a truly exciting time to join a growing and ambitious trust, whose aim is to transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable pupils in the region.

This is also a great opportunity to develop and work alongside an experienced Finance Manager, supporting the finance and payroll functions of the trust, and working with academy office managers and the trust central staff. The role may also include visiting and working in schools across the trust and providing cover if needed.

The trust is looking for someone who has high levels of organisation, a passion for getting things right, integrity and ICT skills. The role will be varied, and we are seeking candidates from a finance and/or payroll backgrounds - experience working in a school/trust is not essential.

We are also able to offer support with professional development for the right candidate.

If you feel that the YES Trust may be the right place for you, I hope you will consider applying for the post. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Linda Povey, Finance Manager (01260 490042).

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Nic Brindle - Chief Executive

Holiday Entitlement -

30 days plus statutory bank holidays

Location:

Congleton based but candidate expected to be able to travel to all trust schools, occasionally, with notice.

Reports to:

Finance Manager

Executive Lead:

Director of Business

Purpose of the Role: To provide a flexible, comprehensive, efficient and effective support service for the trust, working alongside the Finance Manager in the central trust office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Processing of purchase orders, purchase invoices, sales invoices, credit card receipts and statements, and BACS payments, and assisting in producing and reconciling financial reports and various other financial procedures.

To work with and support academy admin teams, including Office Managers, in their roles and ensure finance functions are being carried out consistently and to a high standard in all settings

Posting journals to adjust spend, internally re-charge for goods and services, capitalise items, and other agreed adjustments

Posting and reconciling the Trust bank accounts on a monthly basis

To assist the Finance Manager, Director of Business, Headteachers and Office Managers with the annual budget planning process and the annual audit

Reviewing the aged debtors and creditors across the Trust and ensuring the required action is taken by the Office Managers or Trust finance team

To administer the Trust's monthly payroll, working alongside the Trust's existing payroll provider, Finance Manager and Director of Business

Providing any changes to our external payroll to our payroll providers and checking information.

Supporting internal and external enquiries and requests related to the finance department, payroll and pensions

Processing expense, overtime claims and all other payroll changes

Responsibility for maintaining and improving the payroll system

To produce reports, lists, information, and data as required

To keep abreast of modern administrative procedures and IT systems which could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation

To promote effective financial management throughout the Trust, that strikes the right balance of efficiency and compliance/fraud prevention.

Continuous learning around the latest finance and payroll best practices to improve workplace efficiency

To undertake such other duties related to the work of the trust appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the Finance Manager and wider leadership team

To be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality, and data protection

To maintain complete confidentiality at all times

General

To comply with and assist with the development of policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

To be aware of and support difference and ensure equal opportunities for all.

To contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the trust.

To attend meetings within the trust, at its academies and external events as required.

To share expertise and skills with others.

To participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.

To recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to advise and support colleagues.

To maintain confidentiality always in respect of school-related matters and to prevent disclosure of confidential and sensitive information.

Other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by the Director of Business.

To ensure strict confidentiality in all areas of work.

To work and process personal and sensitive information in accordance with Data Protection Act 2018 including the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018.

To understand and comply with the statutory guidance regarding safeguarding of children, ensuring the safeguarding and promotion of children's welfare at all times, reporting any concerns to the relevant Designated Safeguarding Officer immediately. Additional Information

The post holder will work across the trust and spend time at each of the schools, when required.

To undertake any such duties commensurate with the post as directed by the CFO / Executive Team.

Benefits

At the YES Trust, we believe our aims and vision for our students and their carers are best achieved through supported and valued team members.

We offer the following benefits to all trust employees from their first day with us:

Access and support with training and CPD including further professional qualifications.

Specialist training where required

Cycle to work scheme

Flexible and supportive approach to work

Free lunch at school

Free parking

Nursery benefits

Education Mutual - access to free face to face counselling, physiotherapy, nurse help-line, prescription service whenever you need it

Perkbox

A huge range of discounts, free gifts, perks including shopping, eating out, holidays

The wellness Hub - access to a variety of practical and useful resources

Medical - on-line GP appointments, prescriptions and advice at a time convenient to you

Flexible Working

We recognise that attracting and retaining the highest quality candidates means offering a flexible working environment. We consider a variety of flexible arrangements, including part-time roles, job-sharing, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid opportunities where appropriate. By adopting a flexible approach, we empower our staff to bring their best selves to work every day, fostering creativity, commitment, and resilience. Our teams remain diverse, motivated, and aligned with our vision of transforming children's lives through world-changing education. We believe that by investing in the wellbeing and professional fulfilment of our staff, we are also investing in the futures of the communities we serve.

Candidates are encouraged to discuss flexible working from recruitment onwards, in line with the statutory "day one right" principle, and ensuring equal opportunities for all groups of prospective employees

Desired Criteria

Experience of working in an education setting, desirable but not essential

Evidence of continuing professional development

Professional qualification

Experience finance and payroll procedures and regulations

Experience of salaries/ putting through payroll changes.

Knowledge of schools and how schools/ schools are run

Experience liaising with outside agencies

Essential Criteria

Working towards or gained a financial qualification (consideration will be given to candidates with demonstrable experience)

Good standard of general education to include 5

GCSE's (including Maths and English A-C)

Willingness to undertake training and development

Good knowledge and understanding of double entry bookkeeping.

Using financial accounting software for processing and reporting financial data.

Preparing journals and calculations of recharges across budgets.

High level of competence using email, databases, and working with Microsoft Office General

Experience of handling enquires from/dealing with members of the public

High level of accuracy and confidentiality

Excellent literacy and numeracy skills

A passion for detail and getting the "little things" right for our staff which makes the trust a fantastic place to work.

Show versatility to be able to 'flex' between various time critical tasks and submitting accurate information to a strict deadline.

Present excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages to suit the audience being addressed

Numerate

Approachable, flexible, and patient

Self-motivated and organised, ability to work calmly under pressure and to meet deadlines

Excellent inter-personal skills

Confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy in relationships with all members of our school community

Commitment to continuous improvement

Able to be flexible with hours if situations arise

Will seek advice and support when necessary

Open minded and receptive to new ideas

Commitment to the highest standards of child protection and safeguarding

Prepared to be brave and challenge constructively, and be solutions-focused with regard to current and historical working practices

Ability to form positive working relationships with staff at all levels throughout the trust central team, schools, and with the wider community

Willingness to update knowledge of human resources best practice and employment or other relevant legislation

Ability to travel independently to schools where required - with notice.

Satisfactory adherence to trust safer recruitment practice (DBS check, references, external occupational health check)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 30,275.00-34,634.00 per year

Work Location: In person