Uniperms have an exciting opportunity for a Research Finance Assistant here at The University of Warwick. Born in the 60s with a mindset of boldness, imagination and collaboration, the University of Warwick is a world-leading research-intensive university with the highest academic and research standards. We’re one of the world’s top universities, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK*, with 92% of our research assessed to be ‘world leading or internationally excellent’**. You'll be joining a diverse, innovative and globally connected community committed to igniting real world progress. QS World University Rankings 2024 ** Research Excellence Framework 2021
Fixed Term Contract (12 months) full-time position (36.5 hours per week). Based in the Research Finance – Post Award team, you will be proactively supporting a portfolio of externally funded research and research related projects from acceptance to closure, ensuring compliance with university regulations and funder requirements. Submitting claims and invoices to funders by the key deadline date and supporting funder audits. Post holders will be expected to work independently and without supervision for much of the time. You will have excellent customer service ethos with the ability to build good working relationships with stakeholders (particularly those in academic departments) through close communication and information sharing, and collaborative working. Finance staff across the University are networked as a professional community of expertise. You will be supported to continue your professional journey through access to Continuing Professional Development training opportunities, sector networks and regular Finance Office briefings.
Preparing claims and invoices
To provide post award financial administration assistance for a portfolio including small to medium sized research projects and research related projects.
Providing excellent support and advice to Departments and Principal Investigators in close liaison with Research & Impact service (R&IS).
Manage the internal awarded research related awards, completing income transfer journals and reporting on actual spend versus budget.
Maintain complete, accurate and auditable working papers supporting claims and invoices.
Producing financial reports from SAP; manipulating the data in excel to produce a reconciliation; reviewing all transactions and reconciling spend on research grants (via line item reports).
Ensuring claims and invoices are complete, accurate and that costs are in accordance with funders' terms and conditions, and in line with budget.
Input claims on various external funder systems as required.
Retain up-to date knowledge on the varying funder rules and financial procedures to ensure compliance.
Download and pivot payroll data. Maintain an automated reconciliation of the salary costs.
Setting up of new research project codes by reviewing and interpreting contracts or grant offer letters to identify key project data, FEC, awarded budgets and reporting requirements, and then ongoing maintenance of this data.
Liaising with R&IS contacts in pre-award regarding project set ups queries.
Monitor research projects which have ended and ensure that appropriate actions are taken for a prompt and orderly close.
Maintain an action plan for projects which have passed end date but not yet closed off.
On project completion, ensure all required documents and audit trail is archived and held on file for the contracted period.
Assist with audits and prepare documentation for these.
Respond in a timely manner to basic audit queries from external or internal auditors.
Provide absence cover for work and undertake other ad hoc duties commensurate with grade, as required.
Good GCSE’s including English and Maths grades A-C or equivalent essential.
Working towards or qualified in a relevant practical accounting qualification such as Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or part CCAB qualified.
Highly proficient in use of IT systems, especially Microsoft Excel (Advance level) and Outlook (essential).
Excellent numerical skills with the ability to manipulate data, complete calculations, build financial models and present financial data using spreadsheets and maintain clear comprehensive audit trail.
Excellent verbal/written communication in English and interpersonal skills.
Adaptable and flexible with the ability to learn new areas of knowledge and skills rapidly (for example, to understand and interpret contractual terms and conditions).
Willing to progress to a full CCAB Professional accounting qualification.
Experience in higher education/research support role or similar environment.
Experience of budgetary management and working with an ERP system such as SAP.
We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.