Trust Finance Officer

The Trust Finance Officer provides high quality financial support to the SEEAT central team, Trustees and Headteachers. They ensure accurate day to day financial operations, strong financial controls in schools, and the maintenance of clear, audit ready records in accordance with the Trust Financial Regulations & DfE Academy Trust Handbook. The role will drive best value for money across the trust by ensuring effective financial planning, rigorous budget monitoring, cost efficient procurement, and the consistent application of financial controls that support sustainable, high quality educational outcomes. It requires excellent organisation, discretion, and the ability to prioritise workload to meet key deadlines. The postholder works flexibly across the Trust and will travel to schools as needed to provide hands on financial support, Main Duties: - Maintain accurate accounts and manage all day to day financial transactions - Raise purchase orders, reconcile goods received, and process invoices/BACS payments as required. - Action online purchases and process journals/recharges in IRIS Financials. - Liaise with suppliers to resolve invoice and delivery queries. - Produce and share regular financial reports and monitoring spreadsheets. - Complete reconciliation of end of month control accounts. - Support preparation of year‑end accounts for audit readiness. - Maintain accurate financial data to support budget management across schools. - Count, record and bank cash/cheques; manage petty cash systems where applicable. - Process DfE & other third party income - Administer supporting documentation and process charge card statements. - Administer FSM & 16-19 bursary processing payments against claims & issuing vouchers where necessary - Manage the financial administration of school trips. - Assist with wider school administrative routines as required. - Support additional Trust business as directed by senior leaders. - Provide responsive finance support to schools, both remotely and onsite South East Essex Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects its entire staff to share this commitment. All postholders working in our schools will be considered to work in Regulated Activity and will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance all shortlisted candidates may be subject to online searches that may include social media. For further information please contact HR@seeat.org The school reserves the right to close the listing at any time and shortlist earlier if strong candidates apply earlier in the process.