Trust Finance Officer

Durrington Multi Academy Trust is seeking a Trust Finance Officer to join our friendly and supportive central finance team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with finance or accounting experience who is looking to broaden their skills across a wide range of financial activities while making a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people.

Working closely with the Director of Finance and wider finance team, you will support the delivery of high-quality financial services across our schools. Your responsibilities will include financial processing, payroll administration, banking, VAT returns, reconciliations, financial reporting and audit support. You will play an important role in maintaining strong financial controls and ensuring our schools receive effective and consistent financial support.

This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. We are looking for someone who has excellent attention to detail, strong organisational skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Whether you are already AAT qualified or have equivalent experience, you will be keen to learn, develop and take on increasing responsibility within a supportive environment.

The role is advertised as all year round, but a term time only arrangement can be discussed.

At DMAT, every role contributes to our shared purpose of ensuring that every child receives the best possible education. Our finance team plays a crucial role in helping schools focus on what matters most—delivering excellent outcomes for pupils. We are proud of our collaborative culture, our commitment to continuous improvement and our values-led approach to decision-making.

In return, we offer:

1. A welcoming and experienced finance team
2. Opportunities for professional development and career progression
3. A varied role with exposure to a broad range of finance activities
4. A commitment to staff wellbeing and work-life balance
5. The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to education and our local communities

If you are a motivated individual who enjoys working in a busy and supportive environment, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

1. GCSE English and Mathematics Grade 4/C or above
2. AAT Level 3 qualification or equivalent relevant experience
3. Commitment to continued professional development

Experience

1. Experience working in a finance or accounting environment
2. Experience of processing financial transactions and maintaining accurate financial records
3. Experience completing reconciliations
4. Experience using finance systems and Microsoft Excel
5. Experience of managing competing priorities and handling confidential information

Knowledge

1. Understanding of basic accounting principles
2. Understanding of financial controls and reconciliations
3. Understanding of the importance of accuracy and attention to detail
4. Understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements

Skills and Abilities

1. Strong numerical and analytical skills
2. Excellent attention to detail
3. Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively
4. Ability to meet deadlines and work accurately under pressure
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills
6. Ability to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
7. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team

Personal Qualities

1. Professional, trustworthy and discreet
2. Positive, proactive and approachable
3. Well organised, adaptable and willing to learn
4. Able to develop effective working relationships
5. Commitment to the Trust's values and safeguarding responsibilities
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

1. AAT Level 4 qualification
2. Part-qualified accountancy qualification
3. Payroll qualification or relevant payroll training

Experience

1. Experience working in schools, academies or the public sector
2. Experience of payroll administration
3. Experience preparing VAT returns
4. Experience supporting month-end and year-end processes
5. Experience of budgeting or financial reporting
6. Experience using PS Financials or a similar finance system

Knowledge

1. Knowledge of academy trust finance
2. Knowledge of payroll processes
3. Knowledge of Teachers' Pension and LGPS administration
4. Knowledge of VAT requirements within education
5. Knowledge of audit requirements and financial compliance

Skills and Abilities

1. Advanced Excel skills, including formulas and data analysis
2. Ability to identify and implement improvements to financial systems and processes
3. Experience producing reports for managers, governors or committees

Personal Qualities

1. Ambition and potential to develop into broader or more senior finance responsibilities over time