Finance and Systems Officer

Reports to: Financial and Systems Accountant

Location: West London – currently operating an agile working policy with two core days (Mon and Wed) in the office

Contract: Permanent

Pattern: Full Time (standard hours 9am – 5.30pm)

Closing date: 16/08/2023 at 10am

Interviews: w/c 21/08/2023

Salary: £26,500 to £31,000 depending on experience

Are you a finance-savvy individual with a passion for systems and technology? Do you thrive in a dynamic and high-pressure environment? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our finance team as a Finance and Systems Officer.

About the role:

As a Finance and Systems Officer, you will be a key player in supporting our Financial and Systems Accountant in maintaining the efficient functioning of our finance systems and handling various financial tasks. Your expertise in finance systems and dedication to resolving queries promptly will be instrumental in the success of our finance team.

Key Responsibilities:

As our go-to expert for accounting and purchase ordering systems, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless financial operations. Your key responsibilities will include:

• System Support: Provide prompt assistance to users, resolving queries related to the accounting system (PS Financials) and purchase ordering and invoice processing system (SAP Concur). Your dedication to addressing enquiries within agreed Service Level Agreements will be vital to maintaining smooth operations
• Financial Systems Management: Take ownership of the accounting system (PS Financials) by creating new nominal and account codes, managing user access, and overseeing month-end and VAT periods with precision
• SAP Concur Expertise: Utilise your proficiency in SAP Concur to maintain user access and update workflows, ensuring compliance with required authorisation standards
• Banking Operations: Manage user accounts on Lloyds Commercial Banking Online, ensuring efficient and effective banking processes
• Financial Reporting: Collaborate with the Financial and Systems Accountant to assist with month-end and year-end reporting, as well as reconciliation requirements
  
  

Key Requirements:

• 5 GCSE’s A*- C/ Grade 9 – 4 (or equivalent including Maths and English)
• Demonstrate experience using finance systems with an eagerness to learn and adapt to new technologies
• Proficient user of accounting software and invoice and purchase ordering systems
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, to handle financial data efficiently
• A flexible team player who can take initiative and work independently when required
• Ability to skilfully manage and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
• With a helpful and approachable nature, you’ll contribute positively to the team’s atmosphere

View the full job description and person specification here

About Ark

We’re an international charity, transforming lives through education. We exist to give every young person, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life. In the UK, we’re a network of 39 schools, educating around 28,500 pupils in areas where we can make the biggest difference and we’re recognised as one of the highest achieving academy groups in the country. We want to change the lives of children everywhere, not just in our own schools. So, we create and incubate Ventures designed not only to help pupils in Ark schools, but also to improve education systems.

You’ll be joining a group of like-minded, ambitious individuals who work collaboratively and are all committed to our core mission, that every child has the potential to succeed. Having just celebrated our 20^th anniversary, we are shaping our goals for the next 20 and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.

Benefits

• 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
• Hybrid working, with currently two days a week in our state-of-the-art office in West London working alongside colleagues
• Regular social events, monthly free breakfast, and daily fruit
• A flexible approach to working with understanding and consideration for work life balance and personal commitments
• 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 and a bespoke online learning platform
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests

How to Apply:

Apply with a CV and cover letter on our online recruitment portal. Applications to be submitted by Wednesday 16^th August 2023 at 10am but please note: we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response.

This ATS application form should take no longer 20 minutes to complete. At any time, you can pause, save, and log back in. If you have any difficulty with meeting the deadline for application, please contact recruitment@arkonline.org

Interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.  

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.