Job Title:

Bursar

Reporting to:

The Principal and the Board of Governors

Status:

This is a full-time post, although this should not preclude applicants who wish a part-time position (minimum of three days per week) from applying.

The presence of the Bursar may be required on a number of school occasions outside of the hours of work, including occasional Saturday mornings. As the post is 52 weeks per year, it will involve work outside term-time.

Salary:

The salary will be negotiable, commencing within the JNC Principal Officer pay scales, and will be based on qualifications and experience. Progress will be subject to satisfactory completion of an annual appraisal. There will be a probationary period of six months from the commencement of employment.

The school operates an optional contributory Pension Scheme for non-teaching posts through the N.I. Local Government Officers Superannuation (NILGOS) Scheme.

Terms and

Conditions:

Appointment is made subject to the understanding that the post-holder continues to fulfil the role, discharge the responsibilities and carry out the key tasks to an acceptable standard.

Role:

• Ensuring the efficient and effective financial management of the school, including the strategic use of resources.
• Leading and managing the non-teaching staff and non-teaching operations.
• Promoting the highest standards of business ethos within the school.

Responsibilities:

The Bursar will focus on development in two key areas:-

• Finance
• Corporate Services

Post Description Key Tasks:

The following list is not definitive, nor should it be allowed to restrict the post holders initiative or to inhibit a proactive approach. All responsibilities and key tasks are subject to review and amendment. The content of this Job Description may also be altered in light of the changing needs of the school and young people. It is important that the post holder shows flexibility and a willingness to adapt and to carry out such other reasonable related tasks as the Principal may from time-to-time require.

Finance

1.1

Advise the Principal and Board of Governors on general financial policy in the school;

1.2

Take responsibility for the preparation of the schools accounts, monitoring income and expenditure (including departmental budgets, in consultation with senior academic staff), and presenting regular management accounts and forecasts to the governing body;

1.3

Maintain and promulgate a culture of strong financial control within the school;

1.4

Identify and prepare financial appraisals of value for money initiatives, including procurement, efficient use of resources and improved productivity of support services;

1.5

Provide all required information and documentation for external and internal audits, liaise with auditors, and ensure the completion of audits on a timely basis;

1.6

Maintain professional relations with outside agencies, including the Department of Education (DENI) and EANI, and submit all statutory documentation within the required timeframes (to include Annual Statements of Accounts, VAT Returns and applications for grants);

1.7

Build an external network with other relevant bodies, such as the Bursars Association and the Bursars and Clerks of other Voluntary Schools, to broaden perspectives and insights into school finances;

1.8

Have lead responsibility for the payment of salaries and the administration of pension schemes for all teaching and non-teaching staff;

1.9

Oversee the payment of all invoices and the reconciliation of key ledger accounts;

1.10

Manage the schools catering operation, through the Canteen Manager, including the supervision of the performance of the canteen and the administration of Free School Meals (FSME) arrangements;

1.11

Maintain and update as necessary the schools Financial Procedures Manual;

1.12

Have responsibility for Capital Works, including payments to suppliers and contributions from EANI;

1.13

Advise on the financial implications of the charitable status of the school, and prepare and submit Gift Aid claims to HMRC; and, in due course, (post registration with Charity Commission NI), prepare Statements of Financial Activity (SOFA) and balance sheets in accordance with the charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP);

1.14

Identify opportunities for raising revenue and oversee income-generating and fundraising initiatives;

1.15

Work closely with the Maintenance Officer in relation to premises issues.

1.16

Work closely with the Fundraising Manager and School Shop Manager and monitor their work.

Corporate Services

The person appointed will –

2.1

Support the Principal in delivery of the School Development Plan;

2.2

Develop and maintain the Risk Register for the School;

2.3

Liaise with the schools legal advisers in matters of employment law and ensure compliance with all relevant aspects of relevant legislation, including employment protection, equal pay, minimum wage, working time directive and legislation on discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, religion or disability;

2.4

Assist the Principal on employment matters, including disciplinary procedures, and ensure that the school has appropriate procedures in place;

2.5

Ensure that all relevant staff have contracts of employment, and keep the schools standard contracts up-to-date as new legislation takes effect;

2.6

Manage the employment, terms and conditions of service, supervision and welfare of all teaching and non-teaching staff, as appropriate;

2.7

Maintain a high priority health and safety culture within the school, including the formulation, monitoring and implementation of the schools policy to comply with the requirements of health and safety legislation;

2.8

Ensure that the school has adequate insurance cover at all times on the basis of appropriate professional advice;

2.9

Liaise with the Senior Teacher with responsibility for policy development to ensure that school policies are regularly reviewed and updated;

2.10

Oversee purchases, either directly or through a purchasing group, of all goods and services for the school;

2.11

Oversee the letting of school premises to outside organisations in accordance with guidance issued by DENI;

2.12

Ensure compliance with all data protection requirements, keeping records in accordance with the schools record retention schedule;

2.13

Ensure maintenance of the Register of Items inventory;

2.14

Oversee the School ICT environment, including liaison with C2k;

2.15

The person appointed will manage the Maintenance Officer and Canteen Supervisor ensuring that there are correct processes in place to ensure the maintenance and development of the School estate;

2.16

Manage the non-teaching staff team in the discharge of their duties, as appropriate.

2.17

Support the development of our revenue stream and the implementation of the schools Fund-raising and Marketing Strategy.

2.18

Have oversight of the development of a Sustainability Strategy for the school and responsibility for its implementation.

The person appointed will be expected to carry out all the duties of the post in accordance with the Schools Child Protection Policy and to be committed to continuing professional growth and development.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

EVIDENCED BY

Experience

By date of appointment:

• Have demonstrable experience (minimum of 3 years) in a senior financial and general business management role.

Application Form

Skills and abilities

• Have strong ICT skills, particularly in use of spreadsheets.
• Have excellent analytical skills.
• Have excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Show evidence of high-level leadership qualities and skills and have earned respect through commitment, proficiency and support for others.
• Have proven people managerial skills and have demonstrated the ability to work productively and harmoniously with others.
• Show evidence of the ability to deal with change and challenge.
• Have the ability to work to strict deadlines.
• Have the ability to respect and maintain confidentiality.

Application Form

and Interview

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

EVIDENCED BY

Qualifications/Experience

• Have a Professional Accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Have an Honours degree (2.2 or above) in Accounting, Business Management or other relevant subject.
• Have demonstrable experience of the use of accounting software.
• Have financial accountancy experience in a school setting.
• Have experience of human resources processes.
• Have experience and knowledge of the use of school management systems (e.g. SIMS , C2k, ParentMail).
• Have an understanding of the nature and status of Voluntary Grammar Schools.

Essential and/or desirable criteria may be further enhanced for shortlisting purposes. Applicants should ensure the application form is completed carefully and accurately. It is essential that applicants describe clearly how they meet the criteria sought.

All appointments to Ballymena Academy are subject to the provisions of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003, and the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order (NI) 1979. Applicants must disclose any convictions, spent or unspent or any charges outstanding. Please note that, for Safeguarding and Child Protection purposes, the school will carry out a pre-employment check on the successful applicant. This appointment procedure is in keeping with Department of Education regulations on Child Protection.

The appointment process is scheduled to take place on Monday, 17th November, 2025.

The Job Description may be subject to amendment or modification from time to time, following consultations with the holder of the post, to meet the changing needs of the school.

This appointment will be subject to satisfactory references being received.

Additional information for Applicants

The Bursar role is central to all aspects of this school and the appointment is of key importance to Ballymena Academys continued success.

The time and effort required to conduct the appointments procedure fairly and effectively is an investment which this school makes willingly.

Canvassing of any kind will disqualify.

Appointment Schedule

Post advertised : Tuesday, 7th October, 2025.

Applications close : 12.00 noon Tuesday, 21st October, 2025.

Shortlisting process : Thursday, 6th November, 2025.

Shortlisted applicants

informed per Telephone/

E-mail/Letter : Thursday, 6th November, 2025.

Appointment procedure : Monday, 17th November, 2025

Ratification by

Board of Governors : Monday, 24th November, 225.