Managed by: Deputy Bursar
Reporting to: Deputy Bursar
Salary: £29,000 – £31,500 FTE per annum
Contract Type: Full-time (52 weeks), 40 hours per week

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Ditcham Park School is a unique, successful and thriving school situated in 16 acres of the beautiful South Downs National Park. We have 400+ pupils, aged 4 to 16 years who benefit from a caring and supportive ethos and relatively small classes. GCSE results are consistently impressive and the school was ranked 14th best independent school, in category, in the country based on its GCSE results. Pupils of Ditcham Park School are proud of their vibrant learning community which is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to discover their talents, realise their potential and become well rounded, socially responsible citizens in a school ‘where every child is known and valued’.

The Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and hard-working Finance Assistant to join our team at Ditcham Park School. This is an ideal opportunity for someone at the beginning of their finance career, keen to gain hands-on experience in a busy and supportive independent school environment, or someone who is keen to continue their career in a more relaxed environment. This could be a trainee position, suited to individuals with a keen interest in finance and a desire to learn. While formal qualifications are not essential, candidates should demonstrate a basic understanding of finance and have or be actively working toward an accounting qualification such as AAT, ACA, ACCA – or have some equivalent practical experience.

Key Responsibilities
Bank Transactions & Reconciliation

• Processing bank transactions, including Banklines and cash deposits.
•  Managing petty cash reconciliations, including foreign currency, and arranging top-ups as
  required.
• Reconciling and posting company credit card transactions.
• Visiting the bank to deposit cash when required.

Accounts Payable Duties

• Handling the purchase ledger, including processing orders, scanning invoices, and Direct Debit
  transactions.
• Analysing accounts to create accruals and prepayments on a termly basis.
• Maintaining a working knowledge of VAT regulations, assisting with VAT returns and ensuring
• VAT compliance within accounts payable transactions.

Journal Entries & Month-End Support

• Posting financial journals, including the allocation of catering costs.
• Assisting with month-end and year-end closing processes.

Stakeholder & Parent Communication:

• Manage the accounts email inbox and respond professionally to enquiries.
• Responding to and actioning order requests from staff members.

Reporting, Analysis & Compliance

• Acting as the first point of contact for bursary-related surveys and census requirements.
• Supporting the Bursar and Deputy Bursar in school policy review process.

Expense Processing:

• Reviewing and processing employee expense claims, ensuring compliance with school policies.

Person Specification
Skills & Qualifications:

We welcome applications from individuals with extensive or limited finance experience, but who show potential and possess the following key attributes:

Working for Ditcham Park School:

• We offer a chance to launch or develop your finance career in a nurturing setting.
• You will be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking finance team.
• We offer both a competitive salary and benefits

The school is set in an exceptional location within the South Downs National Park

If you are a hard-working individual with strong personal values and a desire to grow in finance, we warmly encourage you to apply.

Ditcham Park School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. A certificate of good conduct may be needed for applicants who have lived or worked overseas. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS certificate in the event of a successful application.

As with all School employees, it is the School’s responsibility to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Safeguarding Policy at all times, thus promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons with whom he/she comes into contact.

If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, you become aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, you must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all employees have a duty to look after their own and other’s health and safety. Ditcham Park School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.