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Senior Finance Officer - London

Department: Finance

Location : London/Hybrid

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Point Blank is an award-winning music school based in London, Los Angeles, Ibiza, Mumbai, China and online. The School specialises in Higher Education and professional courses in subjects including Music Production and Sound Engineering, DJ Practice and Performance, Singing and Songwriting, Music Industry Management, Music Systems Engineering and Radio Production and Broadcasting.

As a specialist music education provider, we take pride in teaching the creative process of making music at the highest level, with expert lecturers and state-of-the-art facilities. We nurture and support students, providing them with a curriculum connected to industry and the tools to succeed in their careers. Consistently awarded high scores by our students through the National Student Survey, we have a reputation for giving our community a unique and high-quality experience.

This is your chance to join a fast-growing company with exciting opportunities for personal development. To find out what makes Point Blank Music School a remarkable place to work, check out our YouTube channel here.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The successful candidate will join our growing Finance team, taking on a multifaceted role that encompasses both credit control activities and accounting duties. You will play a crucial role in maintaining financial records, debt recovery procedures, and ensuring the accuracy of student and sponsor financial information. Additionally, you will support accounting functions such as monthly reconciliations, accounts payable, and other financial tasks. Your role is vital in ensuring the integrity of Point Blank's financial operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Credit Control:

  • Act as the primary point of contact for prompt query resolution regarding student debtor accounts, collaborating with internal departments as needed to rectify errors and minimise outstanding debt.
  • Conduct regular data validation routines to uphold the integrity of Point Blank's financial records, ensuring corrections are made promptly.
  • Proactively chase debt by communicating with students via phone and face-to-face interactions.
  • Assess students' financial circumstances and recommend non-standard instalment plans following Point Blank policies.
  • Collaborate with academic operations staff to advise students considering study interruptions regarding financial liabilities.
  • Liaise with the Student Loans Company (SLC) to address tuition fee contribution queries and resolve non-payment issues.
  • Maintain communication records for credit control activities, ensuring compliance with data protection and freedom of information regulations.
  • Participate in the enrolment process, adhering to debt management policies and procedures.
  • Assist with system-based debt collection processes, resolving queries and disputes related to student debts referred to external debt collection agencies or courts.
  • Provide support in conducting student workshops and appointments with the Student Support team for financial advice.
  • Collaborate with other departments to ensure the accuracy of student records, particularly for overseas students.
  • Generate and distribute student and sponsor invoices promptly, monitoring the accuracy of sponsor contributions and correcting data as needed.
  • Provide guidance to staff on the interpretation of policies and procedures related to student finance.
  • Support the student tuition fee refund process, including letter production and refunds for missing bank details.
  • Ensure invoices and credit notes are accurately raised, and payments are applied to student profiles.
  • Provide weekly updates on late payments.
  • Assist Student Services with change of circumstances forms for Student Finance.
  • Provide invoices and payment confirmations when requested.
  • Accounting:
  • Support the monthly reconciliation process for various financial accounts, ensuring that all financial transactions are accurately recorded and balanced. This includes reconciling bank statements, credit card statements, and accounts payable and receivable ledgers.
  • Assist in managing accounts payable by processing invoices, verifying expenses, and ensuring timely payments to vendors and suppliers. Verify that invoices are accurately coded and approved for payment.
  • Help maintain accounts receivable records, including tracking outstanding invoices, following up on late payments, and ensuring timely recording of payments received from students, sponsors, and other sources.
  • Collaborate with the Finance Manager and other team members in budget preparation and monitoring. Assist in tracking actual expenses against budgeted figures and provide explanations for variances.
  • Maintain the integrity of the general ledger by accurately recording financial transactions, making necessary adjustments, and reconciling subsidiary ledgers to the general ledger.
  • Utilise financial software, such as Xero, to process financial transactions, generate reports, and perform data analysis. Ensure that financial records in the software are accurate and up-to-date.

General:

  • Daily maintenance of generic email accounts related to systems usage, ensuring prompt and accurate responses to customer queries.
  • Perform any other duties as requested by the Finance Manager commensurate with the role's level.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential

Education:

  • Educated to Degree Level or equivalent, or qualified through significant experience in a credit control environment.

Experience:

  • Experience in credit control, particularly in the Education or Public Sector.

Knowledge/Skills:

  • Good PC skills, especially proficiency in spreadsheets, reporting tools, and databases.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for effective communication with staff, students, and customers.
  • Strong written communication skills, including drafting routine credit control correspondence, and a pleasant telephone manner.
  • Solid knowledge and understanding of sales ledger operations and basic accounting procedures.
  • Effective organisational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritise work to meet deadlines.
  • Problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse, follow up, and resolve issues.
  • Knowledge of student finance in higher education.
  • A hands-on, pragmatic approach, and willingness to assist where necessary.
  • Outcome-focused with the ability to work well under pressure.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Desirable

Education:

  • Studying ICM or AAT or other relevant accounting qualification.

Experience:

  • Experience in credit control within a large, diverse organization using computerized systems.
  • Experience in managing high-volume, low-value debtor accounts.
  • Experience in downloading data, data manipulation using spreadsheet tools, mail merge, and reconciliations.
  • Experience working with debt collection agencies and preparing legal paperwork.

How to apply

To apply, please send us your CV and a detailed cover letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match each of the criteria in the person specification to work@pointblankmusicschool.com.

Due to the volume of applications received we can unfortunately only respond directly to you if you are shortlisted.

Point Blank is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of society.