Accounts Payable Coordinator - Downe House School : Job Details

Accounts Payable Coordinator

Required full time 37.5 hours per week all year

Salary Range: £32,000 - £38,000, depending on experience and qualifications

Downe House is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Coordinator to join our Finance team. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a varied role within a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation. Responsibilities include managing and administering the processing, approval and payment of supplier invoices, and overseeing the employee expenses process.

We are a leading independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, based Cold Ash, Berkshire. Our aim is to provide pupils with a wealth of academic, pastoral and co-curricular opportunities to allow them to grow into confident young women prepared to take on the world. Our Finance Team plays a pivotal role in supporting the smooth financial operation of the school and wider group activities. Responsible for managing all aspects of financial planning, account, reporting, and control, the team ensures the effective stewardship of Charity resources to support the school’s strategic goals.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a similar role and be able to demonstrate good working knowledge of VAT, a high level of accuracy, organisation, and adaptability to support the smooth financial operations of the department. A financial qualification such as AAT/ ACA/ ACCA would be advantageous or qualified through experience. If you thrive on delivering excellent service, work well within a small team, and are open to using new tools and developing processes to improve efficiency, we would love to hear from you!

Main Responsibilities

• Manage the full Accounts Payable cycle across the group of school entities, including PO creation, invoice processing, supplier statement reconciliation, and preparation of BACS payment files.
• Maintain accurate and timely accounting records across both the Purchase Ledger and Nominal Ledger, ensuring compliance with internal controls and financial procedures.
• Deliver a high-quality, service-oriented approach to both internal colleagues and external stakeholders, including suppliers, ensuring professionalism and responsiveness at all times.
• Support month-end and year-end processes, including ledger close, reconciliations, and journal entries, to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Liaise with academic and support departments to facilitate purchasing, ensuring all documentation is correctly authorised and submitted in line with school policies.
• Ensure correct application of VAT across various types of supplies, interpreting VAT legislation and ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements.
• Support Accounts Receivable during periods of high volume and critical deadlines.

About You

• Previous experience of working in a similar role within a busy Finance department.
• Financial qualification, or qualified to this level through previous experience.
• Competence in using Excel and general IT skills.
• Excellent communication skills via email, phone and face to face.
• Previous experience of using Lightyear or WCBS PASS would be an advantage.

Benefits Include

Generous pension scheme with 9% employer contribution

Life insurance and critical illness cover

Staff fee remission available

Delicious free meals while on duty and free onsite parking

Modern gym and swimming pool facilities

CPD opportunities

Social activities throughout the year

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted through our website: Working for Us - Downe House School

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, we are unable to offer sponsorship. Own transport is essential as the school is in a rural location with no public transport links.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and any offer of employment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check (DBS), satisfactory references, and social media checks.

At Downe House we promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective, and we actively support an environment and culture that values diversity and inclusion.