Regional Finance Assistant

Regional Finance Assistant

Reports to: Senior Finance Manager

Location: Ark North London

Contract: FTC (12 months)

Pattern: Part time (37.5 hours per week term-time only)

Closing date: 04/08/2026

Interviews: w/c 10/08/2026

Full‑Time Salary: £24,637 to £29,000 (depending on experience)

Time‑only Salary: £21,188 to £24,940 (depending on experience)

We are looking to recruit a committed Finance Assistant to join our schools in the North London Region. You will have an important role to play in day‑to‑day financial management, ensuring compliance, high standards of financial probity and value for money across the academy. You will be responsible for resources ordering across the schools and liaise with senior leaders and the finance team to establish best practice.

We are looking for someone who has experience working with financial procedures, cash handling, and maintaining cash security, preferably within a school, public sector, or charitable organisation. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in spreadsheets and computerised accounting software, with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on‑going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.

• To take responsibility for the processing of financial transactions within the academy, including purchase orders, invoicing, credit card reconciliation, BACS payments and petty cash
• To undertake monthly bank reconciliations
• To achieve for the academy the most competitive pricing for goods and services in compliance with current and relevant procurement legislation and Ark policy
• To maintain the finance filing systems, ensuring that records are suitable for audit purposes
• To accurately administrate and manage the school resources ordering system across both primary and secondary phases
• To ensure procurement best practice is adhered to
• To work with the Senior Finance Manager to achieve the most competitive pricing for goods and services in compliance with current and relevant procurement legislation
• To assist the North London Region, with the day‑to‑day financial processes and procedures required of the academy, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook
• To ensure high standards of financial probity and value for money within the academy
• To work in collaboration with Ark, and counterparts in other Ark academies

• Right to work in the UK
• Experience of financial procedures, cash handling and cash security
• Experience in a school, similar public sector environment or charity (desirable)
• Excellent literacy and communication skills, including written and oral
• Highly developed skills in spreadsheet and computerised accountancy software
• Excellent numerical and financial skills
• Highly competent computer skills, in particular using Excel, Internet, Email and financial databases
• Has good planning and organisational skills
• Understands the importance of confidentiality and discretion
• Strong attention to detail
• An interest in learning about finance and procurement
• Demonstrates resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of achievement
• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3‑years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face‑to‑face sessions…