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