Finance Assistant
20-25 hours per week | Wimborne, Dorset | 6-months fixed term
We are looking for a highly organised and detail-oriented Finance Assistant to join our team on a part-time basis. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with numbers, maintaining accurate records, and supporting the smooth running of finance operations.
Responsible for ensuring the efficiency and control of all purchase and sales ledger transactions, along with the associated processes, this role will be focused on Canford’s trading company and taking full ownership of Equals cash card reconciliation.
What will the role involve?
- Raising sales ledger invoices and ensuring cash is collected.
- Ensuring invoices are correctly registered, filed and authorised.
- Maintaining customer and supplier data.
- Assisting with weekly payment runs.
- Ensuring financial controls are effectively applied.
Who are we looking for?
- High standard of verbal and written communication.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Numerical skills and experience in finance systems.
- Ability to prioritise workload appropriately.
- Uses initiative to work flexibly and independently whilst working as part of the team.
- Customer service, education and/or credit control experience desirable.
Please note that this role involves working through school holidays and is not term time only.
For further information, and to apply, please visit our website www.canford.com/Job-Vacancies or contact the HR Team on 01202 847590 / recruitment@canford.com
Closing date: Sunday 12th April 2026
Early applications are very much encouraged. We will review and shortlist candidates on an ongoing basis and may close the vacancy once the right candidate has been identified. Candidates are therefore advised to submit their applications promptly to avoid disappointment.
OVERALL PURPOSE
Reporting to the Finance Manager, the overall purpose of the role of Finance Assistant is to ensure the efficiency and control of all purchase and sales ledger transactions, along with the associated processes. This will be focussed on Cheneford, Canford’s trading company and full ownership of Equals cashcard reconciliation. This includes:
- Raising sales ledger invoices and ensuring cash is collected.
- Ensuring invoices are correctly registered, filed and authorised.
- Maintain customer and supplier data.
- Assisting with weekly payment runs.
- Ensuring financial controls are effectively applied.
- Posting cash receipts.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Management of Financial Processes
- Support all sales ledger processes including maintenance of customer accounts; sales invoicing; and customer queries.
- Support the relevant cash and bank processes including bank transfer / card receipts and maintain the cash book.
- Undertake credit control and maintain appropriate reports.
- Support all purchase ledger processes including purchase order processing; order matching; invoice processing, including registering, filing and obtaining authorisation; payments; reporting changes to supplier accounts; and resolving supplier queries.
- Ensure transactional data is correctly represented in, and reconciled to, the nominal ledger and that all transactions follow the correct VAT treatment.
Financial Control and Efficiency
- Ensure transactions adhere to financial controls, including authorisations, timely reconciliations and appropriate confidentiality.
- Continuously recommend ways to improve financial controls and improve process efficiency.
Team and Staff Development
- Engage in professional development through regular one to one meetings and appraisals.
- Support staff with advice on purchase and sales ledger processes, as appropriate.
- Assist in providing cover for key processes during periods of absence.
- Resolve queries from the Finance team.
- Responsibilities are likely to evolve, as no job description can cover all aspects of a role, so the Finance Assistant will be required to use their skills and experience for other tasks as the Finance Manager may from time to time reasonably require.
KEY SKILLS
- High standard of verbal and written communication
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Numerical skill essential
- Ability to show sensitivity and objectivity whilst always maintaining confidentiality
- Ability to prioritise workload appropriately
- Uses initiative to work flexibly and independently whilst working as part of the team
- Finance systems experience desirable but not essential; basic Excel skills essential
- Customer service, education and or credit control experience desirable
Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Those selected for interviews will be required to provide a Safe to Receive reference from their faith leader. All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.
