Assistant Financial Accountant

Place Partnership is seeking to appoint an organised, proactive and highly motivated Assistant Financial Accountant to join the Trust's Finance Shared Services Team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a finance professional to play a key role in supporting the Trust's financial operations, helping to maintain strong financial controls, and ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting across our academies. Working closely with the wider Finance Shared Services Team, the successful candidate will contribute to the effective management of the Trust's finances and support the delivery of high-quality financial services.

We are looking for an individual with excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving. The role requires someone who can manage competing priorities, work accurately under pressure, and build positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the Trust. The main areas of focus of the role include month end reporting, VAT grants and accounting, audit and statutory returns and providing specialist advice and support across the wider team as required.

At Place Partnership, our dedicated Shared Services Teams work together to achieve our vision of creating a Multi Academy Trust where every child, colleague and community feels a strong sense of belonging, pride, and purpose. We are committed to delivering excellent outcomes and making a lasting positive impact within the communities we serve.

Place Partnership operates from a South Hub based in Rotherham and a West Hub based in Wakefield. The successful candidate’s permanent work base will be based in the respective hub relevant to their locality with the expectation to travel and work between hubs on an ad hoc basis for collaboration and / or line management.

If you are a motivated team player who shares our values and is committed to supporting educational excellence through effective financial accountancy and management, we would welcome your application.

About You

The successful candidate will:

• Have experience working within a finance or accounting environment.
• Hold, or be working towards, a recognised accounting qualification such as AAT Level 4, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of accounting principles, financial controls, and financial reporting processes.
• Have experience of processing financial transactions, maintaining accurate financial records and supporting month-end and year-end procedures.
• Possess excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• Be highly numerate with strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail.

• Have experience using financial management systems and Microsoft Excel to a high standard.

• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.

• Be able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information with professionalism and integrity.
• Be proactive, flexible, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Share the Trust's values and commitment to delivering high-quality services that support the best outcomes for our pupils and communities.

About Place Partnership

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care, and education of young people.

Place Partnership was formed in September 2026 following the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. At the heart of Place Partnership is a commitment to building a culture where people feel valued, take pride in their place, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. At Place Partnership we are dedicated to providing high-quality education which ensures that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

We invest in our people through extensive professional learning and development opportunities, and we recognise that our people are our greatest strength. As such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth. Here are a few examples of employee benefits that focus on our employees Financial, Physical and Mental Wellbeing:

• Membership to either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme
• 29 days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days plus bank holidays after 5 years’ service and 32 days after 10 years service
• Technology scheme via SmartTech*
• Access to an extensive discounts platform via ‘Place Plus’
• Access to an industry leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• 24/7 access to an online GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner through Corporate Paid Healthcare Cash Plans
• Access to health and wellbeing services, with the ability to claim money back for essential healthcare such as prescriptions, optical and dental care through Corporate Paid Healthcare Cash Plans.
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Free, on-site parking at every site
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders in all our settings.

*restrictions apply

For full details of our employee benefit package, please see our recruitment pack.

Further Information

Visits are warmly welcomed and can be arranged. For further details regarding this opportunity, for an informal discussion regarding the role or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact hr@placepartnership.com.

Closing Date: Monday 30 November 2026 at 9:00am

Interviews are expected to take place: Wednesday 09 December 2026

Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and checks of the relevant barred list / prohibition lists.

Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles.

Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria without access to the personal details information.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Place Partnership reserves the right to interview sooner than the specified dates above. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.