Trust Finance Assistant

Overview

Fixed Term for 15 Months, starting 1 June 2026

30-37 hours per week (hours negotiable)

All Year Round. Pay SO1 (SCP 23-25) £34,434 - £36,363 per annum (full time equivalent

Job Advert & Description

The Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust (BCWCAT) serves a diverse range of communities within Bradford and Keighley across 17 Primary and 2 Secondary Schools. The Central Team is based in the grounds of the Ignis site of St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College on the outskirts of Bradford City Centre. The scope of the Finance Team’s services includes managing the Trusts budgets and capital income, filing statutory returns and ensuring accurate and timely reporting to the Trust Board.

The Role Reporting to the Trust Finance Business Partner, the Finance Assistant is responsible for Central Team Financial Administration. The successful candidate will assist with preparing financial information for Trust reporting, collating information from School Business Managers and assisting with the implementation of rigorous and transparent finance controls with direction from the CFO. Providing support and problem solving with regard to the processing of operational accounting data will also be key.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

·The successful applicant will be able to work independently to support the Trust’s nineteen schools across Bradford and Keighley

·Set up new suppliers and maintain the centralised purchase ledger

·Process Central team purchase orders, goods received notes and purchase invoices

·Co-ordinate the payment of purchase invoices via BACS for the Central team and all Trust Schools

·Raise Trust sales invoices and chase aged debts as required

·Monthly reconciliation of centralised Trust-wide bank account

·Provide support with processing salary recharges and intercompany transactions between schools

·Prepare monthly reporting information including a Trust cashflow statement and KPI’s

·Prepare monthly VAT returns ·Assist with maintenance of ledgers on Trust accounting system

·Support up to four schools with the Trust budget management process

·Work with schools to investigate and resolve Trust wide queries as required

·Maintain integrity of the Trust accounting system through input of accurate and timely information

·Assist with finance training across Trust schools

·Assist with yearend, providing support to both schools and the Central team

·Provide Trust wide support to School Business Managers

·With support from team members, take a prominent role in implementation of a new budget system across the Trust

·Maintain accurate filing systems for all finance paperwork

Salary & Benefits

Salary from £34434 to £36363 per year

Location

Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust
St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College, Beacon Villa, Cunliffe Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD8 7AP

Supporting documents

Deadline and how to apply

Visits to the Trust Offices are welcomed. Please contact our Trust HR Team to discuss the role in more detail: hr@bcwcat.co.uk Please note, we can only accept applications completed on the CES Application form. CES Application packs are available on our website or from the email address above.

Closing date for applications: Monday 13 April 2026 at 9am

Shortlisting: Tuesday 14 April 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 21 April 2026

Safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all members of staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the exceptions order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Appointments will be made subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and the receipt of satisfactory references and all other pre-employment checks.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is valued and respected. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. Our recruitment process is based on merit and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We strive to foster a work environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to our shared success.