Senior Finance Officer

Robert Half Oxford, England Posted Mar 13, 2026

Full Time
GBP 40,000 – GBP 43,000
Onsite
Senior

Job description


Robert Half are proud to be exclusively partnering with Summer Fields School to recruit a Senior Finance Officer. This position plays a central role in the school's finance team, offering a unique opportunity to join one of the country's leading prep schools with a reputation spanning over 160 years.

Job Title: Senior Finance Officer

Location: Summertown, North Oxford

Salary: £40,000 - £43,000 depending on experience

Full-time | Small collaborative team | Beautiful 70-acre campus

Summer Fields is a full-boarding and day school for approximately 300 boys aged 4-13. The school offers excellent teaching, traditional values and exceptional pastoral care, with outstanding exam results achieved by leavers who regularly win scholarships to top public schools in the country.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a close-knit Bursary team in a friendly, community-focused environment where staff wellbeing is a priority. Many staff have been at the school for years, testament to the positive working culture.

The Role

This is a key role in the school's finance team, ensuring the effective, accurate and timely delivery of core financial operations. This position will lead on fee billing and credit control, nominal ledger activities, and oversees the day‑to‑day running of the Accounts Payable function.

As the primary contact for finance‑related enquiries, the Senior Finance Officer helps maintain strong financial controls, supports high‑quality management reporting, and contributes to the overall financial integrity and stewardship of the school.

Main duties include:

Fee Billing & Credit Control:

  • Prepare, issue and reconcile termly fee invoices, including extras and bursaries.
  • Liaise with parents and resolve fee queries.
  • Credit control activities: monitor debtor balances and follow up overdue accounts.
  • Reconcile fee income to bank receipts and the general ledger.

    • Accounts Payable

    Oversight of the purchase ledger, with day-to-day activities predominantly being carried out by the Finance Assistant:

  • Monitor the finance inbox.
  • Ensure accurate coding and authorisation of invoices and timely payment of suppliers.
  • Review supplier statements and resolve discrepancies promptly.
  • Prepare payment runs, ensuring compliance with internal controls and approvals.

    • Nominal Ledger, Journals & Reconciliations:

  • Maintain accurate nominal ledger records in line with the school's chart of accounts.
  • Prepare monthly journals including prepayments, accruals and payroll journals.
  • Perform regular balance sheet reconciliations.
  • Support month, term and year‑end close, ensuring deadlines are met.

    • VAT Returns:

  • Preparation of VAT return workings, including partial exemption calculations and ensuring correct VAT treatment across income and expenditure.

    • Other:

  • Provide timely financial information to the Finance Director and budget holders.
  • Assist with preparation of management accounts and analytical reviews.
  • Support the annual budgeting process, including collation of departmental information.
  • Prepare schedules for the external audit and respond to auditor queries.
  • Ensure the finance system is used effectively and identify and implement opportunities to automate and simplify processes.

    • Key skills and experience:

  • Significant experience in a similar finance role, ideally within a school or charity.
  • High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication skills, able to engage professionally with parents and staff.
  • Ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.

    • Requirements:

  • Full time, 40 hours per week
  • Minimum three days per week on-site in Summertown, Oxford

    • Salary and benefits:

  • 6 weeks' holiday plus bank holidays
  • Pension - employer contributions of 4% for the first two years of service, 6% after two years
  • Group life assurance of three times annual salary
  • Private medical insurance provided by the school, which is a taxable benefit
  • On-site parking
  • Lunch on-site during term time
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
  • Annual flu vaccination
  • Membership of Staff Swimming Club
  • Discounted on-site holiday activity clubs

    • Safeguarding

    Summer Fields is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

    Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training.

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