Key Role Information

Salary
28,000.00 - 30,000.00
Job type
Part Time
Contract type
Fixed Term
Closing
29/05/2026 10:35
Interview
To be agreed
Contract term
AYR - All year round
Pay grade
28,000 - 30,000
Department
Other
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
15.00
Weeks per year
52.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Job Title: Finance Assistant – Purchase Ledger

Contract Type: Part time, Temporary

Hours:15hrs per week, 3-4 month contract

Salary: £28-30,000 (pro rata)

Location: Red Balloon Educational Trust 37 High Street, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6DF


Safeguarding Statement

Red Balloon Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be conditional of the satisfactory completion of safeguarding training and pre-employment checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and barred list check.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (and its amendments), and applicants must declare all convictions, cautions, or reprimands, including those considered ‘spent'.

Please see the 'Safeguarding Information' section of this advert for further information.


Summary of Role

Red Balloon Educational Trust is seeking a Finance Assistant for our purchase ledger who has a high accuracy rate, exceptional attention to detail, and proficiency in IT & accounting software to join our finance team on a temporary, part-time basis.

The Finance Assistant – main purpose is to maintain accurate supplier records and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. This is a hands-on role requiring strong attention to detail, excellent Excel skills, and experience with Xero accounting software. You will process supplier invoices, reconciling statements and handling queries. If you fit the requirements we’d love to hear from you.


What you'll be doing:

• Process supplier invoices 

• Review and reconciling suppliers’ records to identify and correct errors or discrepancies

• Update and maintain accurate financial data in Xero 

• Assist with clearing outstanding items and resolving aged balances

• Support month-end and year-end processes by ensuring data accuracy and completeness


What we're looking for:

• AAT qualified, part-qualified, or qualified by experience

• Experience using Xero accounting software (desirable)

• Good Excel skills 

• Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skills

• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines


What we offer:

• Supportive and collaborative finance team

• Opportunity to develop your skills in a varied role

• Flexible working arrangements where possible

• The chance to make a real difference to young people's lives


How to Apply

In line with safer recruitment practices, we are only able to accept applications via our application forms, which can be accessed by following the application link on our recruitment portal available here: Vacancies - SAMpeople Recruit. You can save your application at any point and come back to it at a later stage. 

All applicants will be contacted to advise if they have been shortlisted for an interview.


Equal Opportunities

Red Balloon Educational Trust is committed to creating a diverse workforce.

We'll consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.


Eligibility for Employment

Thank you for your interest in Red Balloon.Please note at this time, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa, therefore, all potential employees must be eligible for employment in the United Kingdom.

Details regarding the right to work can be found here: Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK


You can view a full job description and person specification below


Qualifications

Professional full or part accountancy qualification essential

Skills

Experience

Proven experience in similar roleessential
Experience using Xero accounting software

Personal Attributes

Ability to work independently and meet deadlinesessential
Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skillsessential

Relevant Skills

Excellent IT skills and experience with using the Microsoft Suite.essential

About Us

Red Balloon Educational Trust (RBET) is a UK charity that provides an alternative provision to young people studying at KS3-4 unable to attend mainstream school due to bullying, mental health issues, trauma or neurodivergence. We provide tailored educational, wellbeing and social re-engagement programmes both in physical Centres and as a blended online and in-person provision via Red Balloon of the Air.


The RBET Central Services team provides the underpinning strategic support and organisational development for the Red Balloon network, and works to open additional Centres in new locations.

Red Balloon Educational Trust

RBET HR

hr@rbet.ac

Address: Willow Lodge
37 High Street
Milton
Cambridge
CB24 6DF
RBET HR
hr@rbet.ac

Safeguarding Information

Every learner has the right to flourish and be safe from harm and abuse. As a professional within Red Balloon Educational Trust; we all have a duty to keep our students safe and healthy.


Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It means:

  • protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
  • preventing harm to children's health or development
  • ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
  • taking action to enable all children and young people have the best outcomes


Red Balloon Educational Trust has policies and procedures to ensure that every single learner, regardless of their age, disability, gender, race, religion, or belief, sex or sexual orientation, has a right to equal protection from harm. It's so important that everyone at Red Balloon Educational Trust knows what to look out for and how to report any concerns.


Safeguarding policies may be available at Trust level or be held by each Centre individually. All Safeguarding related policies and procedures are available on our website. Every Centre will ensure all staff complete training to ensure we all understand good practice and how to safeguard our learners and ourselves.


Due to the role involving engaging in regulated activity with young people, it is an offence to apply for the role if the you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Safeguarding is Red Balloon Educational Trust's priority. No member of staff will have access to work with learners until all required training has been completed.