Fees Ledger Manager

IPSWICH SCHOOL

FEES LEDGER MANAGER

Part time, permanent, required as soon as possible

Founded during the fourteenth century, Ipswich School is one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. It has over 1,000 pupils aged between 3 and 19 and is co-educational throughout. The Lodge Day Nursery opened in January 2018, and provides the very best care for younger children aged from 3 months to 3 years. 

The School is consistently judged to be ‘excellent’ in all that we do, with the most recent report by ISI Inspectors confirming, Ipswich School has a fine record of academic success, which is placed within the context of an extensive range of activities outside the classroom.

We have a day nursery (The Lodge Day Nursery), Prep School and Senior School, located near to Christchurch Park, with sports facilities located in Rushmere and at Notcutts, off Henley Road. 

This post is based in the Bursary, which is located in the Senior School on Henley Road.

The Bursary is a very busy department in the School and we operate throughout the year. The Schools income is currently just in excess of £21 million per annum. The Director of Finance and Operations and her team are responsible for the non-academic operation of the School.

The management of the Fees Ledger is a crucial role in the School. You will manage the process of and be responsible for the collection of the School’s income each term as well as be responsible for efficiently managing and looking for efficiencies in our fees invoice systems and processes. You will need to be able to work to strict deadlines, and will be responsible for pupils’ fee invoices being correctly prepared and sent out on time. You will also be responsible for accounting functions, such as budgeting, the analysis of fees data, audit preparation and managing payments and direct debits . You will line manage the Fees Administrator and between you will be the main point of contact for bill payers.

You will therefore need to have a range of high level skills, including accounting and finance knowledge, advanced ICT skills, excellent communication and influencing skills as well as an ability to deliver great customer service (as you will have regular communication with parents and staff), and line management experience. You will also need to be highly organised to ensure the deadlines for collecting fees are met each term.  

In addition to these key skills, we are looking for someone with the vision, drive and enthusiasm to continually review and explore best practice in the sector, implement changes that will improve and streamline our processes, and further improve the service we offer to our customers (parents and staff alike). 

WORKING HOURS, SALARY AND HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT

·        This is a part-time, permanent post, subject to a 6-month probationary period. You will work for 30 hours per week over four or five days (to be agreed with the successful candidate) throughout the year with a 30 minute unpaid break for lunch each day.

·        Flexibility with working hours will be essential in this role, and you should note at busy times (for example when fees invoices are being produced each term), you will be expected to work additional hours as required to manage the process and to ensure deadlines are met. This will usually require you to work full-time (i.e. 5 x 7.5 hour days) in the week invoices are being finalised and sent to parents. This week typically falls 2-3 weeks before the start of each new term, so you should be aware, for example, that early/mid August is a busy period for the Fees Ledger team, and additional hours are likely to be required at this time of year. 

·        Any additional hours worked will preferably be taken in lieu at quieter times in the school year (after discussion with the Director of Finance and Operations) and/or claimed as additional paid hours.  

·        The salary (for 30 hours per week as detailed above) will be £25,600 - £28,000 per annum (£32,000-£35,000 FTE), depending on skills and experience

·        Free lunch is provided in the School Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation.

·        Staff are able to use the School’s swimming pool and fitness gym free of charge (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations).

·        After 3 months’ service and/or in line with workplace pension legislation, the post holder will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme with 10% employer contributions

·        The School offers a Cycle to Work Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme (with access to a 24/7 GP service and mental health support), and regular opportunities to socialise with other staff members at our Christmas and Summer Parties and other events.

·        Generous fee remission is offered after 3 years of service to the postholder’s child(ren) attending the School.

CLOSING DATE AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us.

Completed application forms, available from www.ipswich.school/vacancies should be returned by 9.00am Monday 31st March 2025 to the HR Director, via email HR@ipswich.School or by post Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG. Please mark the envelope Private and Confidential.

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible after the closing date and interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing 31st March when we will also ask candidates to undergo a competency assessment. 

PLEASE NOTE

·        Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School policy on the recruitment of ex offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request. 

·        Ipswich School’s employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people they are responsible for, or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School they must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

·        Ipswich School’s employees are expected to attend training in safeguarding children as directed.