Accounts Bookkeeper

We are looking to appoint a temporary Group Accounts Bookkeeper to join our central administration team for a group of four local schools with around 1000 children in total. The schools are based in Epping, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chingford, and the Head Office is located in Loughton.

The successful candidate will have experience working in a busy office and will have outstanding customer service skills with excellent computer skills. The ability to use Microsoft packages, such as Word and Excel, are important and experience of databases would be advantageous. Confidentiality, accuracy and attention to detail are essential. Candidates must have experience of using the Sage Accounts package.

This is a maternity cover that is envisaged to last for one year starting from mid-April 2019. This is a part time role throughout the year with the 'core’ hours from 8.30am until 1pm, although it would be useful if there is the flexibility to increase the hours at peak times when required. The position is remunerated at £12 per hour.

The successful candidate will be responsible for a variety of administrative tasks within the Group’s Headquarters including:
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
School Fees Administration:

To support the Group Accounts Manager and Administrator with the administration of all fee invoices and schedules, including:

• Logging the receipt of all fees deposits for prospective pupils and maintenance of records on Engage for future reference.

• Checking that all fees, fee adjustments and charges both in advance and arrears are correctly entered against each pupil at the four schools.
• Liaising with the School Offices about chargeable activities such as clubs, peripatetic music or SEN support and providing this information in a timely fashion for inclusion in fee invoices.
• Helping to despatch invoices for all pupils at the four schools electronically to the agreed timescale.
• Handling initial parental queries on invoices, including the generating of duplicate invoices.

Credit Control Administration:

To support the Group Accounts Administrator, Group Accounts Manager and Group Bursar with the collection of fees, including:

• Processing payments by Credit/Debit Card when requested by parents by telephone, on line or in person.
• Assisting with the processing of Local Authority Grant schemes where relevant.
• Assisting with the processing of employer childcare grant schemes where relevant.
• Entering cheques and cash into paying books accurately and with full details.
• Chasing fee payments when necessary by contacting parents by telephone and/or email.
• Tracking payments received and updating fees spreadsheets daily.

Financial Accounting (Purchase Ledger):

To support the Group Accounts Administrator and Group Accounts Manager with general accounting and banking procedures including:

• Collating and checking supplier invoices/statements and inputting onto Sage.
• Requesting copy invoices and ensuring goods have been received.
• Preparing the weekly BACS runs to ensure the timely payment of invoices.
• Writing manual cheques according to the need, enveloping and sending out.
• Filing supplier invoices once payment has been made.
• Entering petty cash receipts onto Sage.

General Duties:

• To undertake a variety of general administrative tasks.
• To ensure that the Accounts Office offers a welcoming environment for parents, visitors and staff.

• To answer the telephones in a personable and welcoming manner and handle queries.
• To deal with incoming correspondence and e-mails.
• To deal with general enquiries by telephone, email and in person.
• To record and file information when necessary, always in strict confidence.

• To maintain the highest level of confidentiality and discretion at all times.

• To promote equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice.
• To follow Health and Safety procedures.
• To follow the Schools’ Data Protection Policies.

The Group Accounts Bookkeeper should also be prepared to undertake other such specific duties that may be assigned by the Group Management Team from time to time.