Job Description
Finance Manager
Location: Holywood, Northern Ireland BT18
Contract: Full-time Permanent 36.25 hours/week (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm)Salary: £34,434 - £39,152 per annum
About Sullivan Upper School
Sullivan Upper School is a prestigious co-educational and interdenominational grammar school in Holywood, Northern Ireland, offering both Secondary and Preparatory education. Known for academic excellence, the school fosters a supportive, inclusive, and values-driven environment, where staff and pupils thrive.
About the Role
We are seeking a proactive and highly skilled Finance Manager to support the Bursar in managing the school's financial operations. This is a senior, hands-on role with management responsibility to maintain robust financial controls and ensure audit-ready records.
This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys variety, thrives in a busy environment, and wants to contribute to the smooth running of a high-performing school. You will play a key role in promoting financial integrity across the school.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage income streams, including school fees, Gift Aid, premises hire, and cashless systems
- Oversee accounts payable, expense claims, and credit card reconciliations
- Reconcile bank, control, and suspense accounts monthly
- Support payroll inputs, processes and year-end submissions
- Maintain VAT compliance and manage correct VAT accounting
- Oversee school meals systems and Free School Meals administration
- Prepare and input journals, maintain financial schedules, and ensure audit-ready records
- Champion strong internal controls, financial probity, and compliance
About You
The ideal candidate will have:
- Proven experience in financial management, ideally in education or the public sector
- Strong knowledge of VAT, HMRC regulations, and internal financial controls
- Hands-on experience with payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, (including direct debit management) and reconciliations
- Excellent organisational, reporting, and Microsoft Excel skills
- Integrity, discretion, and commitment to safeguarding and GDPR
- A recognised accounting qualification
Benefits
- Competitive salary and structured working hours
- Opportunity to work in a prestigious, high-performing school
- Supportive, professional, and collaborative team environment
Safeguarding
Sullivan Upper School is committed to safeguarding children and young people. The successful candidate will undergo enhanced AccessNI clearance and pre-employment checks.
The closing date for receipt of applications is:12:00 noon on Monday 9th March 2026
Click to apply today.
Additional relevant skills: Finance Manager, Accounts Manager, School Accountant, Financial Controller, Accounts Payable/Receivable.
