THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Finance Assistant
School/Department:
Financial Management Department
Salary:
£17,210 to £20,400 per annum, depending on skills and
experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to
performance
Job Family and Level:
Administrative, Professional and Managerial Level 2
Contract Status:
Permanent
Hours of Work:
Full time, 36.25 hours per week
Location:
Queens Medical Centre
Reporting to:
Finance Support Team Leader
Purpose of the New Role:
Finance Assistant (based in Financial Management Department comprising approximately 90 staff) will be
based in one of seven Finance Support Offices of the University.
The role holder will be responsible for a number of finance processing and monitoring tasks in the team
(4-10 staff), providing a high level of customer service to service users and working closely with finance
managers and other colleagues.
The percentage split below is indicative only; it can change at any time depending on the specific
business unit demands or Financial Management’s requirements.
Main Responsibilities
1.
Finance transactions
30%

2.
Take complete responsibility for the effective and efficient completion of the
some of the following tasks:

Accounting transactions – obtain supporting records, perform calculations and
process in the relevant business system.

Project administration – ensure that expenditure is bona fide, compliant with
terms and condition of funding and within budget; reports are submitted on
time; issues are resolved; liaising with other departments (e.g. RGS) as
required; communicating with budget holders.

Expenditure processing in line with the University’s processes.

Income processing in line with the University’s processes.

Bulk transaction processing – check, verify and upload journals into the
accounting system.
Financial administration
% time
per year


3.
Take ownership of allocated tasks which may include the following:
Purchasing – convert requisitions into orders, process purchase orders, GRN
and send invoices to the Payment Centre.

Cash handling in line with the University’s processes.

Expense processing via Concur.

Queries – review and provide solutions in a timely manner.

Travel booking arrangements and payment in line with Procurement policies.

Casual staff – facilitate the process of setting up and paying casual workers.

Additional administrative and finance tasks are required by the team and the
department.
Customer service and liaison with other teams and departments
30%

Act as the first point of contact in the Finance Support Office, fielding all
10%
4.
financial queries, and answer questions about the University’s financial policies
and procedures.

Establish good communications and regular contact with key staff in business
units in order to expertly deal with questions regarding purchase orders,
invoices, expenses, fee payments, etc.

Work closely with colleagues in other departments (e.g HR, RGS, SPP, etc.) and
answer questions on the University’s financial policies and procedures.

Provide a high level of customer service to business units as measured via
customer feedback and assessed through the PDPR process.
Business performance management
10%

5.
Responsible for creating, updating and reviewing financial reports to ensure
that budgets at project level are not overspent and all transactions are correct
and bona fide.

Investigate anomalies, suggest solutions, respond to queries; identify more
complex queries to refer to finance managers.
Supporting the preparation of management and year-end accounts, forecasts and
budgets

6.
Understand the month- and year-end processes to ensure that all tasks are
completed to timetable.

Acquire information and documentation from business units for performing
calculations, reconciliations, accruals and pre-payments.

Input amendments into the accounting systems and maintain supporting
records to satisfy the requirements of auditors.
Ensure compliance and effective financial control
5%

7.
Use financial systems to ensure accurate recording in compliance with relevant
accounting policies and standards.

Produce and review standard exception reports to identify areas of noncompliance.

Keep up-to-date with accounting, regulatory and University developments to
ensure compliance.
Personal and professional development and training
5%

8.
Identify, highlight and address development needs to ensure continuing
professional development and the necessary experience by attending relevant
courses.
Other responsibilities
5%


5%
Provide administrative assistance to more senior colleagues including filing,
photocopying, receiving mail, drafting correspondence, etc.
Any other duties as appropriate to grade and role
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications/
Education
Essential
Desirable




Skills/Training





Experience


5 GCSEs or equivalent (including
Maths and English) with grades C and
above
Demonstrable interest in finance
Prior experience in a relevant role
/other relevant experience
Excellent interpersonal and
communication skills
Good IT skills with Office applications
particularly Excel, Word and Outlook
Accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work under pressure and to
tight deadlines
Good analytical and problem-solving
skills
Delivery of excellent customer service
Practical experience in processing
financial transactions




Educated to NVQ level or
equivalent
Progressing towards AAT
qualification
Experience in a similar finance
role
Application of financial processes
and controls
Use of accounting software
Knowledge


Understanding the role of the finance
function in a large organisation
General knowledge of finance and
business practices


packages
Understanding of fundamental
accounting principles and
transactions
Knowledge of:
-higher education sectors
-University decision making
with a detailed knowledge of
University structures and
procedures
Decision Making
i)
taken independently by the role holder
Dealing with customers face-to-face, on the phone and via emails
Resolving queries within remit
Processing purchase orders, journals, travel bookings, expense claims and other transactions
Performing calculations and reconciliations
ii)
taken in collaboration with others
Queries that require input from finance managers and other departments
Supporting various financial processes (e.g. month-end, year-end)
Providing admin support to more senior colleagues
iii)
referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder
Complex issues to be referred to line manager
Issues requiring management consideration or with wider implications for the team/University
Issues that must be referred under University policies and procedures