Finance Officer in a Primary School. Interview advice

[madasamarchhare]

I’ve applied for a position as a finance officer within a primary school. Does anyone have any experience of this role? Can anyone give any interview tips? The job description gives reasonably detailed descriptions of the jobs involved. I don’t have any experience of working in a school but I do have many of the attributes they are looking for. I appreciate that school jobs and term time working are like gold dust so I’m fully prepared not to get too far but it’s worth a shot isn’t it!

Are you sure it's term time? Those roles normally don't have teachers and TAs terms and conditions.
Do you know anything about FMIS? Research that. If it's an academy that's a different kettle of fish again to an LA school so check your knowledge of that.
Good luck!

PP is correct there's a big difference between academies and LA finance processes.

Otherwise it is similar to any other finance job! Honesty, integrity, attention to detail, good organisation skills.

Be prepared to answer a question on safeguarding as well.

I'd be impressed if you'd researched our aims, look for their raising achievement plan on their website so you know what their priorities are and what the financial implications of this is.

Good luck!

Is the Primary school part of a Trust? If so do a little research on the Trust, you should be able to find a set of financial accounts on the Trust website which will give lots of financial and non financial info.
Be aware of the main types of funding eg General Annual Grant, SEN funding, Pupil Premium, Sports Grant etc adherence to Finance regulations will be important.
Be aware that funding is going down for most schools whilst costs are going up due to things like increased Teacher’s Pension costs.
A finance officer in a Primary is likely to have to get involved in all sorts of other tasks, dealing with parents, first aid, possibly premises issues depending on number of other staff.
Confidentiality and safeguarding are key.

Thanks for your responses. No it’s definitely term time based in the school. LA school not linked to a trust or an academy. I will do my research. I have a finance background so I’m hoping that will help. I’ll look up the different types of funding schools receive and as pp has said safeguarding important for everyone working in a school. Thanks for your help all. Don’t suppose there’s anyone here who actually does the job?

I manage Finance Officers in secondary and primary but within a Trust so I guess different processes.

Good luck, I’ve just accepted the same job but In a secondary school and can’t wait to start

Thank you. I’m working in a job at the moment but in retail but my background is financial. This job would suit me down to the ground. I’m hoping that with this background and the fact my children are a little older will swing in my favour. I have previously helped in school when my children were there. It’s a 5 min walk away. My children are at an age where even if they weren’t well enough for school they are old enough to leave to sleep and rest. I know school jobs are so sought after so we will see but I really fancy going back to admin and something I can really get my teeth in to.

Beansprout, do you mind my asking what kind of questions they asked you at interview?

I'm a school business manager in a LA maintained school who used to work in retail HO as a merchandiser. I've been doing my job for 5 years and I was really lucky my Head took a chance on me. One thing I have brought to the role is finance and business understanding which a lot of bursars don't have!

As a PP said they will definitely ask a question about safeguarding and perhaps your motivation for wanting the role.

If you want to ask any more questions then let me know!

Schools quite like 'give an example of..' type scenarios.

As you've said, you have many of the skills, just because you don't have experience doesn't mean you are not right for the job.

Good luck - let us know how it goes!

Also, schools will tell you on the day of interviews whether you are successful or not.

It will impress them if you discuss the fact you are spending public money which means every purchase and spend has to be thought through, it's about integrity, getting best price but also right suppliers etc.

@madasamarchhare I can’t remember many of the questions sorry, there was definitely a safeguarding one, something along the lines of why working as a team is important, one was what would I do if I received an invoice from a supplier for a purchase that hadn’t been authorised. All the questions were based on how I would handle a situation and what do I know about particular things, no annoying trick on the spot questions some companies fire at you!

I also had a test on basic excel, a daily task scenario and another with lots of percentage questions!

I messed up a lot of the test and I have no finance background but I pushed my transferable skills and emphasised my willingness to learn

Hi Madasamarchhare..how did the interview go? I have applied for a Support Business Officer in a Primary school which is an academy trust. I am currently a Senior Legal Cashier so have a strong finance background albeit in law not a school. Could you give me some insight as to the interview questions and any tasks that you had to do please. Much appreciated.