Trust Finance Assistant

The Co Operative Academies Trust, Manchester, M60 0AG

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP

• Closing date

  13 October 2026 at 12am (midnight)

• Date listed

  29 September 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: NJC 15-19 £30024 - £32062

Trust Finance Assistant job summary

About the Role

Are you an organised, enthusiastic finance professional looking to make a genuine impact within a values-driven organisation? Co-op Academies Trust is seeking a dedicated Finance Assistant to join our central finance team.

Working under the guidance of our experienced central trust team, you will play a vital role in ensuring the efficient, accurate, and seamless administration of our financial operations. This role requires a high level of professionalism, tact, and commitment, offering you the opportunity to take ownership of key processes and deliver excellent support across the Trust.

Key Responsibilities

Master Data: Manage the end-to-end creation and maintenance of supplier and debtor master data, ensuring data integrity, adherence to internal controls, and timely processing of changes. Maintain comprehensive documentation to support all master data creations, amendments, and compliance requirements.

Supplier Invoices & Payments: Process supplier invoices accurately, matching them to purchase orders and goods received notes. Ensure correct payment authorisation, identify intercompany transactions, and assist with payment runs to guarantee suppliers are paid within agreed timescales.

Sales Ledger & Debtor Control: Raise sales invoices from documentation, checking for accuracy prior to distribution. Proactively chase debtor payments in line with agreed credit control procedures.

Reconciliations & Month-End: Reconcile and maintain credit card log sheets for month-end review. Support the Assistant Finance Manager with essential month-end procedures and reporting routines.

Communication & Mailbox Management: Manage the finance mailbox, handle incoming calls, manage post, and resolve queries from suppliers, debtors, budget holders, and Academy staff.

Compliance & Audit: Maintain organised, accurate filing systems suitable for audit standards while ensuring all confidential data is handled securely and tactfully.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a collaborative team player with a sharp eye for detail, strong numerical skills, and a positive, proactive approach to problem-solving.

Essential Requirements

GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above.

Practical experience working in a finance or accounts-based position.

Proven experience matching and processing supplier invoices and handling stakeholder queries.

Strong numerical and analytical capabilities with exceptional attention to detail.

Good working knowledge of basic accounting procedures across purchase ledger, sales ledger, and payments.

Solid IT skills, including familiarity with Google applications.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to organise workload effectively during busy peak periods.

Desirable Requirements

AAT qualification or actively working towards AAT.

Experience within an education, public sector, charity, or multi-academy Trust setting.

Hands-on experience with finance/accounting systems, credit control, and month-end reconciliations.

Personal Qualities

Professional, reliable, and conscientious attitude.

Ability to work flexibly and independently while supporting the wider team.

High integrity when handling sensitive financial data.

Strong commitment to co-operative principles, British Values, and the Ways of Being Co-op.

What We Offer

At Co-op Academies Trust, we care about our staff and provide an environment where you can grow, develop, and feel valued.

Competitive Salary: NJC scale column point 15–19.

Hybrid Working: Enjoy a balanced working routine with 2 days per week in our modern 1 Angel Square office in Manchester and the flexibility to work from home for the remainder.

Professional Development: Support for ongoing learning and professional development, including study support where applicable.

Values-Driven Culture: A supportive and collaborative culture anchored in co-operative values, dedicated to improving lives through education.

How to Apply

If you are ready to bring your finance skills to a team where your work truly matters, we would love to receive your application!

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities

Co-op Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and encourage applications regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage or civil partnership status.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies: We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not send unsolicited CVs or speculative applications, as we prioritise direct recruitment for our roles. Any unsolicited profiles submitted will be treated as direct applications to Co-op Academies Trust, and agency terms or fees will not apply. We appreciate your cooperation.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Co-op Academies Trust as an aware employer is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. We value variety and individual differences, and aim to create a culture, environment and practices at all levels which encompass acceptance, respect and inclusion. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles.

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.

About The Co Operative Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-co-operative-academies-trust

Why us?
Co-op Academies Trust is a place where you are part of something bigger, through a leading education and opportunities to serve our community, we are working together to make a better world.

From ages 3-19 Co-op Academies Trust supports students in Primary, Secondary and Special schools across the North of England, giving children the skills and experiences they need to succeed, no matter where they come from.

What makes our Trust unique is that we are sponsored by the Co-op Group. That close relationship means that we benefit from all the business expertise that has seen the Co-op grow to one of the most respected, successful businesses in the country.

Everyone in the Trust honours our fundamental commitment to the Ways of Being Co-op. They are our DNA; they represent our culture and reflect the rationale behind our decision-making. No matter what we do, they are how we do it.

Our ways of being are:

Be Yourself, Always
Show You Care
Do What Matters Most
Succeed Together
In 2025, we have 38 academies as part of the Co-op family, across 4 regions.

Our Values
Being part of the Co-operative Group, we are both guided and driven by the Co-op values which are embedded in everything that we do within our Academy - We strive to demonstrate the following ethical values in everything we do - they are our ‘Ways of Being’:

Succeed together

Do what matters most

Be yourself, always

Show you care

So, if you believe in our values, we would love to hear from you!

We offer a wide range of benefits and rewards to recognise the part you play in our success:
Benefits include:

You’ll get being a Co-op member, you’ll get a Co-op colleague discount card. This gives you a 10% discount in our Co-op Food stores.
Co-operative flexible benefits (discounted line rental and broadband package, family care advice and cycle to work scheme)
Discounted gym membership and leisure activities which includes discounts on Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life, Legoland etc), Virgin Experience Days, SuperBreak and many more
Co-operative Credit Union: save directly from your salary and receive a competitive dividend. Borrowers can benefit from very competitive interest rates & terms (in comparison with other high street lenders)
Co-op Funeralcare benefit
Season ticket and rental deposit loans
And More!

For more information about the Co-op Academies Trust, please visit: www.coopacademies.co.uk

The Trust is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnerships.

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