Finance Assistant

The Opportunity

Are you an organised and detail-oriented finance professional looking to make a difference in a values-driven organisation? With over 1200 employees, we give grants to local community projects, support local education and run four esteemed independent schools; Bedford Girls’ School, Bedford Modern School, Bedford School and Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School. Our mission at the Harpur Trust is to nurture potential and improve people’s lives. While our focus is Bedford Borough, our impact flows far beyond.

We are seeking a proactive and customer-focused Finance Assistant to join our dedicated Finance Team, 37 hours per week.

About the Role:

As a Finance Assistant, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality accounting services across the Harpur Trust’s schools, offices, and partner sites. Your responsibilities will span purchase and sales ledger processing, bank reconciliations, petty cash, and supporting the wider finance team with a variety of tasks. You’ll be instrumental in ensuring accurate financial records and excellent service to internal and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:

• Process purchase invoices, payment runs, and supplier reconciliations
• Support sales ledger activities including invoicing and credit control
• Assist with bank reconciliations and petty cash claims
• Provide excellent customer service to suppliers and school finance teams
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Trust to ensure smooth financial operations

About You:

• Experience in financial accounting, including purchase and sales ledger
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work methodically
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook

What We Offer:

• Collaborative Environment: Work with a supportive and friendly team dedicated to making a positive impact.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training and career growth within the Trust.
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave allowance, generous pension schemes, free refreshments, health care scheme, and more.

As an organisation we have a big responsibility to inspire and develop the next generation and we’re here to support our town to be a positive place for everyone living and working here.  To do that, we need talented, professional, committed people with diverse voices, cultures, and experience. We look for people who are passionate about what they do, and who care about improving the lives of others.

We pride ourselves on providing a positive culture for all staff and we celebrate diversity in our workforce, recognising the wealth of ideas and experience that a diverse workforce can bring. Joining our team means working for a people-focussed organisation which does great things in and for our community.

Interviews: Stage 1 - Friday 31 October 2025 and Stage 2 – Tuesday 4 November 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline if a suitable candidate is found, therefore early applications are encouraged.