Finance Administrator

Lodestone House is proud to partner with Brighton College, supporting the delivery of exceptional hospitality and catering services across Brighton College and Brighton College Prep.

We’re looking for a highly organised, detail-focused and numerate Finance Administrator to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with finance or administration experience who enjoys working with numbers, data and operational teams.

You’ll play an important role in supporting the day-to-day financial administration of the operation, ensuring information is accurate, financial processes are followed and reports are completed within agreed timescales.

What you’ll be doing

As Finance Administrator, you’ll provide administrative and financial support to the operational and finance teams, helping ensure accurate records, reporting and financial controls are maintained.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the month-end close process, including the preparation of financial information, accruals and prepayments
• Processing and maintaining accurate financial records and documentation
• Completing regular reconciliations and investigating discrepancies
• Supporting the preparation of monthly financial reports and management information
• Maintaining accurate financial spreadsheets, databases and reporting systems
• Assisting with monitoring income, expenditure, invoices and costs against agreed budgets
• Supporting the finance team with budgeting and forecasting information
• Preparing financial data and reports for operational and client meetings
• Inputting and maintaining data across relevant finance and business systems
• Supporting the processing and checking of invoices, purchase orders and financial documentation
• Assisting with weekly stocktake administration, ensuring information is accurately recorded and reported
• Supporting the monitoring of stock and food costs and highlighting any discrepancies
• Maintaining accurate records to support profit protection and cost control
• Working closely with operational managers to resolve financial queries and provide accurate information
• Supporting client and internal finance reviews by providing relevant financial information
• Ensuring all relevant Compass and client financial processes and standards are followed
• Providing general administrative support to the finance and operational teams as required
• Completing any other reasonable duties requested by the management team

About you

We’re looking for someone who is organised, reliable and has excellent attention to detail. You’ll enjoy working with numbers and data and be confident using Excel and other computer-based systems.

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience in a finance, accounts or administration role
• Good understanding of financial administration and basic accounting processes
• Experience with invoicing, reconciliations, data entry and financial reporting
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to your work
• Good Excel skills, including lookups, pivot tables and SUMIFS
• Experience working with financial or reporting systems
• Experience using Power BI would be advantageous
• Experience using Compass Discovery would be advantageous
• Experience with SAP or similar financial systems would be beneficial
• Good numerical and analytical skills
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to work with both finance and operational colleagues
• A proactive approach to identifying and resolving discrepancies or issues
• The ability to work independently while also contributing positively as part of a wider team
• A professional and confidential approach when handling financial information

Where you’ll be based

This role will be primarily based across Brighton College and Brighton College Prep, with occasional travel to other Lodestone House locations within a reasonable distance of your main place of work.

You’ll become an important part of the wider Lodestone House team, working closely with finance colleagues, operational managers and client stakeholders to support accurate financial administration and operational performance.

Our commitment to service

At Lodestone House, we believe that great financial administration is about more than numbers. Accurate information, effective processes and attention to detail help our people and operations deliver the very best service.

You’ll be expected to:

• Provide a friendly, professional and approachable service to customers, clients and colleagues
• Arrive prepared, engaged and ready to make a positive contribution every day
• Maintain high standards of accuracy and attention to detail
• Take responsibility for completing tasks within agreed timescales
• Care for those around you, speaking up when something isn’t right and helping to resolve issues
• Remain focused on delivering high-quality work and maintaining professional standards
• Work collaboratively and positively as part of the wider team
• Treat all financial and business information with appropriate confidentiality

Health & Safety

You’ll be responsible for following all relevant Health & Safety, HSE and See, Care, Share standards.

You’ll also ensure that allergen management policies and procedures are followed at all times and promptly raise any concerns or issues with the appropriate management team.

Why join Lodestone House?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing hospitality and catering operation supporting one of the UK's leading independent schools.

As a Finance Administrator, you’ll gain valuable experience working within a busy operational environment, developing your finance and administration skills while working closely with finance, operational and client teams.

You’ll have the opportunity to make a genuine contribution by ensuring financial information is accurate, processes are followed and the wider team has the information it needs to operate effectively.

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/1008/C05801/52825663/SU #Lodestone House

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!