Holy Family College seeks School Bursar/Financial Manager apply by October 30, 2025

Holy Family College, a thriving co-educational independent Catholic school nestled in Parktown, Johannesburg, is currently seeking a dedicated and experienced School Bursar / Financial Manager. This vital role calls for a highly skilled professional to provide robust financial leadership and uphold the school’s mission of offering a caring, nurturing, and sustainable learning environment. If you possess a B.Com Accounting degree, at least three years of financial management experience (preferably within a school or non-profit setting), and a passion for education, you are invited to apply. The closing date for applications is 30 October 2025, and the position’s availability is open for discussion.

Detailed list of vacancy key details

• Position: School Bursar / Financial Manager
• Institution: Holy Family College
• Location: Parktown, Johannesburg
• School Type: Growing co-educational independent Catholic school
• Core Requirement: A highly skilled and committed professional to provide strong financial leadership and integrity.
• Key Dates:
  • Closing Date for Applications: 30 October 2025
  • Position Available: To be discussed with the successful candidate
• Required Qualifications:
  • B.Com Accounting degree
  • Minimum of 3 years’ financial management experience, ideally in a school or non-profit environment.
  • Excellent knowledge of IFRS for SMEs and South African financial regulations.
• Essential Skills & Proficiency:
  • Fully computer literate, with strong proficiency in various accounting software platforms.
  • Advanced Excel skills, coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills (both written and verbal).
  • High level of integrity, confidentiality, and exceptional attention to detail.
  • Energetic, self-motivated, and capable of working effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
  • A genuine passion for education and a willingness to engage in the broader life of the school.
  • Candidates must be willing to support the Christian ethos of the Catholic school.

Simple summary of the vacancy

Holy Family College is searching for a dedicated and experienced School Bursar / Financial Manager to join their team in Parktown, Johannesburg. This pivotal role involves a comprehensive range of financial duties, ensuring the school’s financial health and compliance. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining robust financial policies, overseeing budgets, managing school fees, and handling procurement processes. They will also be tasked with meticulous financial record-keeping, preparing monthly and annual financial statements, and liaising with auditors for annual audits. Compliance with financial regulations, IFRS for SMEs, and Department of Education requirements is crucial, as is supporting external audits and implementing recommendations.

Beyond core financial management, the role extends to payroll and HR administration, including managing accurate and timely payroll processing and maintaining HR records with legal compliance. Proficiency in accounting software and advanced Excel skills are non-negotiable, as is the ability to assist with new system implementations. The Bursar will also play a key role in stakeholder collaboration, offering financial guidance to the Headmaster, School Management Team, and Governing Body, while leading and fostering an efficient finance team.

Candidates must hold a B.Com Accounting degree and possess at least three years of financial management experience, preferably gained within an educational or non-profit setting. A strong understanding of IFRS for SMEs and South African financial regulations is essential. The college is looking for an individual with high integrity, excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach. A commitment to the school’s Christian ethos and a passion for education are also key attributes for this important position.

How to apply for this post

• Prepare a comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV).
• Write a one-page statement detailing your professional and personal strengths.
• Provide the names and contact details of at least three professional referees.
• Email your complete application pack to [email protected].
• Be aware that all prospective candidates must consent to and successfully clear credit, criminal, child safeguarding, and sex offender checks as part of the application process.
• Please note that applications must be submitted by the closing date of 30 October 2025.

Questions and advice for potential candidates

Here are some questions a potential candidate might have, along with advice on how to be a preferred applicant for this Bursar / Financial Manager role:

• What qualifications are absolutely essential for this role?
  Advice: A B.Com Accounting degree is a non-negotiable. Ensure your CV clearly highlights this qualification and any relevant specialisations.
• How much financial management experience is required, and what kind of experience is preferred?
  Advice: A minimum of three years’ financial management experience is needed. Candidates with experience specifically in a school or non-profit environment, particularly with IFRS for SMEs, will be highly preferred as it demonstrates direct relevance to the institutional context.
• What specific technical skills should I highlight in my application?
  Advice: Emphasise your proficiency with various accounting software platforms and advanced Excel skills. Providing examples of how you’ve used these to improve financial processes or reporting will be beneficial.
• Beyond technical skills, what ‘soft skills’ are most valued?
  Advice: Integrity, confidentiality, attention to detail, strong communication, and problem-solving abilities are crucial. Provide examples in your one-page statement or CV where you’ve demonstrated these qualities under pressure.
• How can I demonstrate my willingness to support the Christian ethos of Holy Family College?
  Advice: While you don’t need to be Catholic, expressing an understanding and respect for a faith-based educational environment in your statement can be valuable. Your passion for education and commitment to the school’s mission will also align with this.
• What should my one-page statement on professional and personal strengths include?
  Advice: Focus on strengths directly relevant to financial leadership, integrity, team collaboration, and a passion for education. Use concrete examples of how these strengths have positively impacted previous roles.
• Are background checks mandatory for this position?
  Advice: Yes, credit, criminal, child safeguarding, and sex offender checks are compulsory. Be prepared for these and understand that successful clearance is a condition of employment.
• What if I don’t hear back after submitting my application?
  Advice: The school states that only short-listed applicants will be contacted. While it’s natural to be anxious, assume that if you haven’t heard back within a reasonable time after the closing date, your application may not have been successful on this occasion.
• How can I show a ‘passion for education’ as a financial professional?
  Advice: Connect your financial expertise to the school’s educational mission. Discuss how sound financial management directly supports quality teaching and learning, or how you might contribute to the broader school community beyond your direct financial duties.
• What does ‘strong financial leadership’ mean in the context of a school bursar?
  Advice: It implies not just managing finances, but also providing strategic financial guidance, implementing robust policies, ensuring compliance, and fostering a culture of financial accountability. Show how you’ve led financial initiatives or advised management in past roles.

Institution details

Institution Name: Holy Family College
Location: Located in Parktown, Johannesburg
Email for applications: [email protected]

For more details on this specific vacancy, you can visit the original posting here: School Bursar / Financial Manager Vacancy.

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