Job Description: Finance Officer
Job Title: Finance Officer
Location: Rotherham Opportunities College, Rotherham
Contract: Part Time
Hours: 16 - 20 Hours per week, flexible in terms of hours and days
Salary: 32,239 – 36,833 (FTE)
Responsible to: Principal & CEO
About Rotherham Opportunities College
Rotherham Opportunities College is a specialist SEND college supporting young people with additional needs to achieve independence, skills for life, and meaningful outcomes. We are a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) committed to excellence, inclusion, and strong governance.
Role Purpose
The Finance Officer will play a key role in supporting the financial operations of the College, ensuring accurate financial records, compliance with charity and CIO regulations, effective management of Gift Aid claims, and robust financial controls. The role will support both day-to-day finance functions and wider strategic financial administration within an education and charity setting.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate financial records, including income, expenditure, reconciliations, and ledger entries
- Manage Gift Aid processes, including eligibility, record-keeping, submissions, and compliance with HMRC regulations
- Support financial reporting in line with Charity Commission requirements
- Assist with budgeting, cash flow monitoring, and financial forecasting
- Prepare information for audits, inspections, and trustees as required
- Process invoices, payments, support with payroll data (but not payroll) and expense claims
- Ensure compliance with charity financial regulations and internal financial controls
- Support funding claims, grants, and restricted funds management
- Liaise with external stakeholders, funders, auditors, and HMRC where necessary
- Work collaboratively with senior leaders and trustees to support financial governance
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information appropriately
- Supervising and supporting a junior member of staff
- Essential Qualifications
- A recognised qualification in Finance, Accounting, or Bookkeeping (e.g. AAT Level 3 or above, or equivalent)
Desirable Qualifications
- AAT Level 4 or higher
- Part-qualified or working towards a professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)
- Qualification or formal training related to charity finance, Gift Aid, or Charity Commission reporting
- Relevant training or qualifications within an education or SEND setting
Essential Criteria
- Proven experience working within a registered charity
- Strong working knowledge of Gift Aid processes and compliance
- Experience of working within a charity
- understanding of charity finance, restricted funds, and reporting requirements
- Strong numeracy, attention to detail, and organisational skills
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
- Evidence of continued professional development relevant to charity finance or accounting
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- Desirable Criteria
- Experience within an education setting, particularly SEND (desirable but not essential)
Personal Attributes
- High level of integrity and professionalism
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to the values of inclusion, safeguarding, and supporting young people with SEND
- Proactive, flexible, and solution-focused approach
- Experience using accounting software (Xero)and finance systems
- Knowledge of Charity Commission reporting and governance
- Experience supporting trustees or senior leadership teams
Pay: £32,239.00-£36,833.00 per year
Work Location: In person
