Finance Officer
Maiden Erlegh Trust, Reading, RG6 7HS11 days remaining to apply
Start date details
ASAP
Closing date
16 March 2026 at 9am
Date listed
25 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £31,537.00 - £35,412.00 Annually (Actual) 37 hours per week, all year round
Finance Officer job summary
This is a pivotal operational finance role, providing high-quality financial support to allocated academies and ensuring financial transactions are processed accurately, controls are consistently applied, and academy-level financial information is reliable and meaningful
The Finance Officer combines strong technical finance capability with practical academy understanding and sound financial judgement. You will ensure day-to-day financial activity is processed correctly and that financial information is accurate, understood and usable for budgeting and forecasting
You will also supervise Finance Assistants within the hub, promoting consistent, high-quality financial practice across academies
Key responsibilities
Operational finance delivery
Ensure financial transactions are processed accurately and authorised appropriately in line with Trust policies
Act as finance contact for allocated academies, supporting Headteachers, school business professionals and budget holders with day-to-day queries
Promote compliance with Trust financial procedures and delegated authorities
Accounts payable and transaction processing
Process and review purchase invoices, ensuring correct coding and authorisation
Support payment processing and preparation of academy payrun information
Reconcile payment cards and resolve supplier queries promptly
Monitor outstanding purchase orders and goods received notes
Accounts receivable and income monitoring
Support financial monitoring of educational visits and trips to ensure full cost recovery
Assist with SEN EHCP income monitoring and invoicing
Monitor outstanding income and provide analysis to the Finance Business Partner
Month-End and financial reporting
Prepare accruals, prepayments and journals for review
Maintain reconciliations and supporting schedules for audit purposes
Monitor income and expenditure, escalating discrepancies appropriately
Leadership and oversight
Line manage Finance Assistants, reviewing outputs and supporting development
The Ideal candidate will have:
Relevant finance qualification or demonstrable finance experience
Experience in an operational finance or accounts role, including invoice processing and reconciliations
Experience supporting month-end activities such as accruals, prepayments and journals
Strong Excel skills, including formulas and data reconciliation
Experience supervising or supporting Finance Assistants (or capability to do so)
Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities
Confidence communicating financial information to non-finance colleagues
Studying towards or qualified in AAT (or equivalent) is desirable
Why join Maiden Erlegh Trust?
Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and staff. We are ambitious for all and support everyone to reach their full potential
This role offers:
A collaborative Shared Services environment
Opportunities to contribute across multiple academies
Professional development and progression
The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to financial excellence within education
An enhanced DBS check is required
If you are a motivated finance professional who values accuracy, accountability and service, we welcome your application.
About Maiden Erlegh Trust
Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5000 students across 11 schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.
We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.
Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.
You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.
Benefits
Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website here. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across our Trust benefit from a range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.
Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, with auto-enrolment into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Earning Schemes.
Annual Leave: We offer a generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.
ME Day: Colleagues may request one additional day’s leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.
Professional Development: We offer a comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD. Colleagues also take part in our annual Conference, a full day of workshops, networking and learning for all staff.
Colleagues can also access a range of professional development opportunities using Apprenticeship Levy funding, and benefit from professional development networks.
Hybrid Working: For eligible roles, we support a flexible approach to working arrangements, balancing remote and office-based work where appropriate.
Perkbox: Colleagues have access to Perkbox, which offers a wide range of discounts and wellness resources and receive 25 Perk points each month which can be exchanged for goods and services.
Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff, and free eye tests are provided to those who are eligible.
Employee Assistance Programme: Incorporating discount vouchers, access to 24/7 support and more.
Mental Health First Aid support.
Recognition and Community: We regularly celebrate staff achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.
Employee Referral Scheme.
Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.
Additional information
If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our Trust and its schools, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.
Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and staff. We are also committed to being ambitious for all and supporting everyone to reach their full potential. All employees of the Trust are expected to share these commitments. All posts require satisfactory employment checks and references and a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. All Leadership roles will require a Section 128 check.
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 Maiden Erlegh Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
- Website
- Maiden Erlegh Trust website
Mixed multi-academy trust serving communities across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. Primary, Secondary, Special and Alternative Provision.
Head office location
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