Assistant Bursar

Position: Assistant Bursar (Permanent)
Assistant Bursar

Location:

Holywood, Northern Ireland BT18

Contract:

Full-time | Permanent | 36.25 hours/week (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–4:30pm)
Salary: £34,434 – £39,152 per annum

About Sullivan Upper School

Sullivan Upper School is a prestigious co-educational and interdenominational grammar school in Holywood, Northern Ireland, offering both Secondary and Preparatory education. Known for academic excellence, the school fosters a supportive, inclusive, and values-driven environment, where staff and pupils thrive.

About the Role

We are seeking a proactive and highly skilled Assistant Bursar to support the Bursar in managing the school’s financial operations. This is a senior, hands-on role with management responsibility to maintain robust financial controls and ensure audit-ready records.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys variety, thrives in a busy environment, and wants to contribute to the smooth running of a high-performing school. You will play a key role in promoting financial integrity across the school.

Key Responsibilities

Manage income streams, including school fees, Gift Aid, premises hire, and cashless systems
Oversee accounts payable, expense claims, and credit card reconciliations
Reconcile bank, control, and suspense accounts monthly
Support payroll inputs, processes and year-end submissions
Maintain VAT compliance and manage correct VAT accounting
Oversee school meals systems and Free School Meals administration
Prepare and input journals, maintain financial schedules, and ensure audit-ready records
Champion strong internal controls, financial probity, and compliance
About You

The ideal candidate will have:

Proven experience in financial management, ideally in education or the public sector
Strong knowledge of VAT, HMRC regulations, and internal financial controls
Hands-on experience with payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, (including direct debit management) and reconciliations
Excellent organisational, reporting, and Microsoft Excel skills
Integrity, discretion, and commitment to safeguarding and GDPR
A recognised accounting qualification
Benefits

Competitive salary and structured working hours
Opportunity to work in a prestigious, high-performing school
Supportive, professional, and collaborative team environment
Safeguarding

Sullivan Upper School is committed to safeguarding children and young people. The successful candidate will undergo enhanced Access

NI clearance and pre-employment checks.

The closing date for receipt of applications is:
12:00 noon on Monday 9th March 2026

Click to apply today.

Additional relevant skills:
Finance Manager, Accounts Manager, School Accountant, Financial Controller, Accounts Payable/Receivable