SCHOOL RECEPTIONIST & BOOKKEEPER

VACANCY: SCHOOL RECEPTIONIST & BOOKKEEPER

Full-time, permanent position based at our school in Parkview, Johannesburg.

Working hours are 07h45–16h00 during school terms, excluding lunch break.

30 days of annual leave, taken during school holidays.

Reports to the Deputy Head.

Kairos School of Inquiry is a small independent primary school where children are known individually and relationships are at the heart of school life. We are looking for someone who combines excellent bookkeeping skills with warmth, initiative and a genuine enjoyment of working with children.

THE ROLE

We are looking for an organised, capable and personable School Receptionist & Bookkeeper to manage the reception and bookkeeping needs of the school. The School Receptionist & Bookkeeper plays a central role in keeping the school running smoothly. The position combines bookkeeping responsibilities with functions relating to supporting parents and pupils’ needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fees, Accounts Liaison & Bookkeeping

The role provides administrative support to the school’s bookkeeping systems:

• Manage the school’s day-to-day bookkeeping in Xero, including accurate financial and debtor records.
• Prepare and issue monthly invoices for fees, sundries and other charges.
• Manage debtor accounts, follow up overdue payments and respond to parent account queries, escalating only problematic cases for intervention.
• Liaise with the accountants and provide payment vouchers, payroll information and other required financial documentation.
• Ensure enrolments, departures, deposits and related billing information are accurately reflected in the accounts.

Reception, Communication, Pupil & Parent Support

• Manage reception and serve as the first point of contact for parents, pupils, visitors and enquiries.
• Communicate warmly and professionally with current and prospective parents, assisting with administrative queries, documentation, accounts and admissions.
• Support school communications, notices and correspondence to parents.
• Help ensure the school office is welcoming, safe and supportive for children and parents, responding appropriately to their day-to-day needs.

School Administration & Records

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date pupil records, school calendars, and school appointments.
• Support the Head Teacher and staff with general administrative requirements

General Office Coordination

• Ensure that the office is organised, professional and appropriately stocked.
• Liaise with suppliers, contractors and service providers when required.
• Undertake other reasonable administrative duties necessary for the effective day-to-day operation of a small school.

THE PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The successful candidate should have the following:

Essential:

• Bookkeeping experience
• Confidence using email, spreadsheets, and shared documents.
• Strong fluency in written English
• Administrative competence, reliable, highly organised and be attentive to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills, calm and resourceful when dealing with several demands at once.
• Shows initiative, confidence and sound judgement.

Advantageous:

• Experience using Xero for bookkeeping.
• Background in school administration or reception experience.

WORKING AT KAIROS

This position would suit someone who enjoys the intimacy of working in a small community, where everyone knows one another and close working relationships are central to school life. The role offers a dynamic variety of tasks, a strong sense of agency, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully as a core member of the school community alongside the teachers. Kairos values empathy, authentic connection, initiative and collaboration, and aims to create an environment in which children feel safe, seen, heard and understood. Staff have opportunities to learn and practise approaches that support this ethos while contributing to a thoughtful and evolving model of education.

APPLICATION

Please submit applications to Marc Loon at marc@kairosschool.co.za

• A current CV; and
• A brief covering email explaining what appeals to you about working in a small primary school such as ours.

Closing date: 16h00, 22 September 2026
Proposed starting date: 11 January 2027