Financial Accountant

Financial Accountant

Downe House is a leading independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, based in the village of Cold Ash, Berkshire. Our aim is to provide pupils with a wealth of academic, pastoral and co-curricular opportunities to allow them to grow into confident young women prepared to take on the world.

We are looking for an experienced Financial Accountant to join our Finance team. In this role you will be responsible for managing and administering the termly billing and accounts receivable function.

Main Responsibilities

• Managing the sales ledger, including processing termly fees and extras invoices
• Accounting processes for Sales Ledger and Nominal Ledger
• Reconciliation of recharged extras to include; School trips, pupil recharges, taxi journeys
• Regular communication with debtors and debt agencies as necessary
• Month end and journal processing
• Raising ad-hoc invoices
• Application of output VAT on different supplies and interpretation of VAT legislation

About You

• AAT, ACA or ACCA qualified, or qualified to this level by experience.
• Highly computer literate, with a strong working knowledge of Excel, SharePoint, Outlook and Teams and the ability to manipulate data easily.
• Open to exploring new digital tools to drive process efficiencies.  
• Demonstrating an excellent service culture, with a friendly, professional manner.
• Diplomacy, patience and clear written and spoken communication.
• Good working knowledge of VAT.
• High levels of confidentiality and professionalism.
• An interest in education and a commitment to the ethos of the school.
• Experience working with WCBS, School base, Lightyear systems (desirable)
• Experience of having worked in a school environment (desirable)

Benefits Include:

• Generous pension scheme, with employer contributions at 9%
• Life insurance and death in service benefit
• Delicious free meals daily
• Free onsite parking
• A modern gym and swimming pool facilities available for staff use at set times

How to Apply

Application forms can be downloaded from our website at https://vacancies.downehouse.net/ Completed application forms should be sent to recruitment@downehouse.net by 9.00am on Friday 10th January 2025. We reserve the right to interview/appoint before the closing date.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Own transport is essential as the school is in a rural location with no public transport links.

For further details you can contact the HR Department on 01635 204712 or email recruitment@downehouse.net

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and any offer of employment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check (DBS), satisfactory references, and social media checks.

At Downe House we promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective, and we actively support an environment and culture that values diversity and inclusion.