Assistant Financial Accountant
Salary: £43,000 – £50,500
Contract: Permanent, Full-time (35 hours per week)
Working pattern: Hybrid – 2 days per week in the office
Location: Central London (near Euston Station)
About the Organisation
This organisation is a specialist higher education institution with a strong global reputation for academic excellence, cultural awareness, and social impact. As part of its central professional services, the Finance function plays a critical role in safeguarding financial integrity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting sound decision-making across the institution.
About the Role
The Accounting Officer plays a key role in statutory reporting, financial control, and compliance activities. Reporting to a senior finance lead, the postholder will support year-end, audit, tax, and specialist accounting areas, including endowment and fund accounting.
This is an excellent opportunity for a part-qualified accountant or finance professional with strong reconciliation and reporting experience, looking to deepen their technical expertise within a complex, regulated organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Statutory Reporting & Compliance
* Support year-end financial statements and external audit processes
* Assist with VAT and Corporation Tax returns
* Prepare regulatory and statutory returns, including ONS and Companies House submissions
* Maintain strong financial controls and compliance with accounting standards
Endowment, Funds & Income Accounting
* Complete accounting and reporting for endowment and investment portfolios
* Calculate and post monthly income, gains/losses, and total return information
* Administer endowment funds, including set-up, documentation, and reconciliation
* Produce Gift Aid reclaims in line with charity law
Financial Operations & Controls
* Reconcile payroll suspense accounts and support payroll queries
* Maintain the fixed asset register and support capital accounting
* Review new cost centres and ensure compliance
* Invoice external organisations and manage internal recharges
* Provide cover for core banking activities when required
About You
Essential
* Part-qualified accountant or equivalent relevant experience
* Strong experience preparing reconciliations and accounting reports
* Understanding of financial controls and compliance
* Strong Excel skills and confidence analysing financial data
* Clear communicator, able to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
Desirable
* Experience of endowment, fund, or charity accounting
* Knowledge of Gift Aid, charity law, or SORP requirements
* Experience in higher education or the not-for-profit sector
* Familiarity with finance systems such as Agresso (or similar ERPs)
* Experience working with auditors