Is anyone a schools finance assistant? Or similar.

[WhatsALieIn]

Sorry for the boring thread.

I want to work in a school within the office and a job has came up for a finance assistant.

I work in a similarish field but not within education.

Can anyone describe a typical day for me?

Also do you think the job would be occasionally flexible, ie ‘can I leave at 2 today as I have a dentist appointment/ want to see my kids school play’ type reasons. Or do they expect you to work every minute of your office day? (I do mean occasionally by the way not on the regular)

And any other tips or tales please.

Our finance officer does all the purchase requisitions, ordering and stuff, as well as some more complicated things that I don't understand!

The school I work at values work/life balance so yes those requests would be accommodated without issue. It can depend on the school's ethos though as that can vary! Though I think most would be okay with those things (with the caveat that normally you would book things in the holidays where possible)

I do a finance related admin role in a school, so probably won’t be exactly the same as the kind of thing you’d be going for but there would be comparable elements to it. Is it primary or secondary OP? I’m in primary and it’s lovely. Among other things I do the admin for our school’s wraparound provision, which includes making sure parents are charged correctly and pay on time etc.

My role also involves dealing with any general queries that might come in plus liaising with teachers and parents if for example a child has to go home ill or for an appointment etc. But a pure finance officer role might not have this element, it very much depends on the size of the school, whether it’s primary or secondary, and the structure of the office team.

I love it because it’s just the perfect amount of work to keep my brain ticking over, it’s a lovely environment to work in and a great work life balance.

In terms of time off - our school is flexible but we would be encouraged to try and avoid it during term time if possible. We get plenty of holiday time after all! But for something like a child’s school play or similar (which would be limited to term time of course) then yes absolutely and we could make the time up elsewhere.

Thank you both.

It’s a secondary school. An academy.

I think I’d stand a good chance of getting it as I do some of the tasks related to finance.
But in my current job they are so flexible so if I like I can take my child to school or pick her up (occasionally) and it wouldn’t be an issue to leave early if needed.

So it’s a case of should I stay where I am for the flexibility and assume a school wouldn’t be.

If anyone else can describe their jobs in schools finance please do