Assistant Finance Manager
The Swan School, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 7WP15 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
10 July 2026 at 8am
Date listed
25 June 2026
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £31,212.00 - £33,693.00 Annually (Actual) Grade 11, Part-time (4 days per week), Term-time only + 3 weeks & INSET days
Assistant Finance Manager job summary
Join Our Team as Assistant Finance Manager at The Swan School
Are you looking for a fulfilling finance role where your skills can truly make a difference? The Swan School is seeking a bright, enthusiastic, and organised professional to join us as our Assistant Finance Manager. If you are passionate about financial excellence and want to work in a collaborative, supportive educational environment, we would love to hear from you.
What This Role OffersSalary and Grade: Grade 11
Hours: 29.6 hours per week (0.8 FTE), term time plus 3 weeks (41.5 weeks per year)
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: The Swan School
Reporting To: School Business Manager
This part-time schedule offers an excellent opportunity for work-life balance, giving you the chance to thrive professionally while enjoying the unique benefits of working term time.
About the RoleIn this vital position, you will work hand-in-hand with our School Business Manager and Headteacher to ensure the day-to-day finance functions run like clockwork. You will help maintain our financial systems, champion best practices, and support the brilliant team that keeps our school community moving forward.
Your day-to-day highlights will include:
Budgeting and Strategy: Assisting with annual budgets, monitoring performance, and helping to identify opportunities for financial efficiency.
Core Finance Processes: Overseeing essential month-end duties, managing accounts payable and receivable, and handling bank and credit card reconciliations.
Payroll Collaboration: Working closely with the School Business Manager and HR Manager to ensure our monthly payroll runs accurately and smoothly.
Community Connection: Communicating kindly and effectively with parents regarding payments and financial support, as well as guiding budget holders across the school.
Team Leadership: Supervising and supporting our fantastic Finance Officer, helping them grow through guidance and regular appraisals.
We are looking for a proactive team player who has a sharp eye for detail and a warm approach to communication. To fit right in, you should bring:
Education: A-level education or equivalent. Being AAT Level 4 qualified, working towards it, or possessing equivalent experience is essential.
Experience: A solid background working in a finance department or accounting practice, with hands-on experience managing control accounts, reconciliations, accruals, and prepayments.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel. Experience with accounting packages used in the education sector is a huge plus.
Aptitude: The ability to analyse data, solve problems creatively, work independently, and stay calm under pressure when deadlines approach.
If you have experience working specifically within a school environment, that is a wonderful bonus, but we welcome all talented finance professionals with the right drive and core skills.
RLT Connection & BenefitsAs part of the River Learning Trust, you will have access to high-quality CPLD pathways and the security of recognised continuous service. Additional benefits include:
Enrolment in a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme focused on your wellbeing.
A genuinely flexible approach to working hours for the right candidate.
As part of the River Learning Trust, you will have access to high-quality CPLD pathways and the security of recognised continuous service. Additional benefits include:
Enrolment in a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme focused on your wellbeing.
A genuinely flexible approach to working hours for the right candidate.
River Learning Trust and The Swan School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism. We conduct checks and online searches in accordance with Keeping Children Safe In Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
For documentation, please see RLT Safer Recruitment Documents. Visit our website www.riverlearningtrust.org for up-to-date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour policies.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants, click this link: List of offences that are not filtered.
We don't just accept difference; we celebrate "different contributions" and are dedicated to building an inclusive environment where every colleague can thrive. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you to be at your best.
Note: We do not accept CVs.
Deadline for Applications: 8am on Friday 10th July. However, the School reserves the right to consider and interview exceptional candidates early.
Flexible Working: We are committed to flexible working and are open to conversations about alternative arrangements for the right candidate.
Discover Your Impact: See the attached Job Pack and apply via MyNewTerm
Start a Conversation: For an informal discussion regarding contract hours or to arrange a visit to our facilities, please contact headteacher@theswanschool.org.uk or call 01865 416 070.
- The Future Path: Not the right time? Register with our Talent Pool via the Swan School website, to hear about new opportunities first.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About The Swan School
- School type
- Free School, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 952 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The Swan School website
School location
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