Group Finance Officer (62BC)
Job Description
Job title: Group Finance Officer (62BC)
Company: Discovery Schools Academies Trust Ltd
Job description: Permanent Group Finance Officer
Discovery Finance Team
Grade 9 Pay Point 19 – 22
Up to 37 hours per week for 42 weeks per year. ( Term time plus four weeks during school holidays, hours and working pattern negotiable)
Discovery is an innovative, high performing multi-academy trust working across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland dedicated to improving learning and teaching by creating a culture that promotes excellence.
We are looking to appoint a driven and energetic Group Finance Officer who will support and enhance the Trust finance function. This role will support trust schools to maintain their financial performance to enable pupils and staff to reach their potential.
If you have a passion for Education and helping children and staff realise their potential, then this could be the role for you.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Analysing & maintaining a rolling ‘live’ 3-5 year school forecast taking into account year to date trends and Trust guidance and information such as pupil projections
- Complete month end management accounts at a school level by agreed deadlines, including reconciliation, variance analysis and forecasting
- Complete monthly payroll reconciliation whilst investigating & rationalising variance.
- Maintaining & providing all school records & documents in relation to internal and external audits and assisting auditors at an operational level as required
We are looking for someone who has:
- Possess level 2 qualifications in maths/numeracy and English/literacy
- Experience & knowledge of finance in an education setting
- Experience with accounting/budgeting software & Microsoft packages.
- Experience of working in a finance based role
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage own time and prioritise workload in order to meet deadlines
- Be committed to innovation and have a drive to learn and develop
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and have a good sense of humour
- Confidentiality and highly accurate with an attention to detail
- Ability to exert assertiveness in a professional manner when/if required
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and willing to embrace new challenges
- Be committed to putting children at the heart of all decision making
This position offers individuals:
- Opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge
- Opportunity to take on more challenging responsibilities
- Potential for career development
- Support for financial qualifications
- Opportunity to learn from and shadow effective individuals
- Opportunity to help improve the lives of children in our schools
- Flexible working pattern with hybrid working
What we offer:
- Flexible working options
- Support for continuous professional development in the role
- Opportunities to visit other organisations for professional learning
- Highly committed and motivated Team
- A role which has the opportunity to make a real difference whilst having fun
- Free car parking
- Annual incremental pay increases with the pay scale range
- A defined benefit pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme – EAP
- Employee self-service portal.
- Eyecare voucher scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme
- Retail discounts
- Dental support
- Gym discount
- Be an integral member of the team in a vibrant school
- Create an outstanding learning environment for the success of all of our children
- Play a significant part in continuing to develop our school
- Be part of a wider community of Discovery Schools Trust
- Excellent opportunities for personal and career development
- A established Central Services Team who support schools and wider colleagues
More about Discovery Schools Trust:
Discovery Schools Trust is dedicated to improving learning and teaching by creating a culture that promotes excellence. The needs of all children are placed at the heart of all decision making regardless of the school they attend. Teaching and learning excellence are shared through learning networks, sharing of ideas and materials as well as leading practitioners between schools. Discovery has developed a school improvement system which focuses on improving outcomes for all children. It also places staff development, talent management and succession planning at the heart of achieving outstanding organisations.
For more information about the Trust and our schools visit
Contact Jackie Morley for more information or to discuss your application ( Jmorley@discoverytrust.org or 07985 553009)
Please note that interviews for this position may be made earlier than the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to submit their applications promptly. Early submission will not only ensure consideration for the position but also increase the likelihood of being invited for an interview. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to receiving your application.
Safeguarding Statement: We are committed to safeguarding our pupils; therefore, the successful applicant will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and references.
While we acknowledge the advantages of AI in crafting personal statements for applications, we strongly encourage and expect applicants to personalise and tailor responses. Please note that the Trust may utilise AI checking solutions during the application review process and will be considered when shortlisting.
Expected salary: £29783 – 32003 per year
Location: Leicester
