Job Introduction
We are looking for a Schools Finance Officer to join our Finance team to deliver high quality financial support and advice to schools across Portsmouth!
Your new role
This is an exciting opportunity to work in partnership with School Business Managers, Bursars, Finance Officers, Headteachers and Governing Bodies, providing expert financial advice and support to help schools manage their budgets effectively and sustainably. You will support budget setting, forecasting and long-term financial planning, while delivering training, coaching and on-site guidance to school leaders and finance staff. Working as a trusted finance partner, you will help schools maximise resources, strengthen financial resilience and make informed decisions that support positive outcomes for children and young people. This term-time role (2-3 days per week) involves regular travel across the city and offers the chance to make a real difference at an exciting time of change within the education sector, including supporting Local Government Reorganisation activity where required.
Who is the person summary:
We're looking for an AAT-qualified finance professional (or equivalent) with strong post-qualification experience, excellent analytical skills and advanced Excel expertise. You will have a proven track record of budget setting, forecasting, financial reporting and providing trusted financial advice to managers and budget holders. Confident in presenting complex financial information to a wide range of audiences, you will build strong relationships with Headteachers, School Business Managers and Governors, offering both support and constructive challenge. You'll be highly organised, customer-focused and able to manage competing priorities, while also delivering training and mentoring to help develop financial understanding across schools. Experience of Oracle Fusion, Business Intelligence tools or similar financial systems would be advantageous. As regular visits to school sites are required, you must be able to travel independently across the city.
Desirable experience includes working within local government or wider public sector finance, with an understanding of the financial frameworks and regulations that support effective service delivery. Experience of school finance, school funding arrangements and education finance regulations would be advantageous; however, we are equally keen to hear from candidates with a strong interest in education finance and a willingness to develop specialist knowledge in this area.
For full details, please review 'who is the person' on the job profile below attached.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
As part of Local Government Reorganisation, current plans will see Portsmouth City Council combine with the district and borough councils of Fareham, Gosport and Havant and parts of East Hampshire and Winchester district councils to form a new, larger unitary authority for south east Hampshire.
We are working towards an implementation date of 1st April 2028, known as vesting day, subject to Parliamentary approval. Until then, we remain focused on maintaining continuity, supporting our workforce, and continuing to deliver excellent services to our residents throughout the transition to the new unitary authority.
This is an exciting time to join us, offering the opportunity to contribute to organisational transformation, develop your career, and help shape future services for our communities.
More information about Local Government Reorganisation can be found on our website: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/your-council/devolution-and-lgr/
Additional Information
Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office minimum 2 days a week (pro rata for part time), this remains flexible, depending on the role and subject to business needs.
We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.
Interview date: w/c 7th September
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we have a large number of applications.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
