THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Finance Assistant
School/Department:
Financial Management Department
Salary:
£17,039 to £20,198 per annum, depending on skills and
experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject
to performance.
Job Family and Level:
APM 2
Contract Status:
Full-time, fixed term (maternity cover). Open to 50% job
share.
Hours of Work:
36.25 per week – full-time
Location:
University Park
Reporting to:
Finance Team Manager
Purpose of the Role:
The Faculty of Science is one of the most successful faculties in the University, with an
excellent research pedigree including previous Nobel Prize winners, gross income of over
£100m, a cost base of over £70m and over 700 academics that need supporting to deliver
world class teaching and research.
The role holder will be responsible for a number of financial processing and monitoring tasks in
the team which support the University and the Faculty to deliver its goals. The role holder
needs to provide an excellent level of customer service to stakeholders and ensure that a high
volume of transactions are processed on an accurate and timely basis, working closely with
finance managers and other colleagues where necessary.
This Finance Assistant (based in Financial Management Department comprising approximately
90 staff) will be based in Financial Management Office - Science, University Park Campus
(School of Physics). This role is to provide maternity cover.
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.
% time
per year
Finance transactions
30%

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.
Recruitment
2.
3.
4.

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
30%

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

Act as the first point of contact in the Finance Support Office, fielding
all 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%
10%
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.
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
5.
6.
7.
Supporting the preparation of management and year-end accounts, forecasts
and budgets

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%
5%

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

8.
Investigate anomalies, suggest solutions, respond to queries; identify
more complex queries to refer to finance managers.
5%
Identify, highlight and address development needs to ensure continuing
professional development and the necessary experience by attending
relevant courses.
Other responsibilities
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
Skills/Training
Essential
 5 GCSEs or equivalent (including
Maths an 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
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Desirable
 Educated to NVQ level or
equivalent

Progressing towards AAT
qualification

Experience in a similar finance
role
Experience
Knowledge

Accuracy and attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure and
to tight deadlines

Good analytical and problemsolving skills

Delivery of excellent customer
service

Application of financial
processes and controls

Practical experience in processing
financial transactions

Use of accounting software
packages

Understanding the role of the
finance function in a large
organisation

Understanding of fundamental
accounting principles and
transactions

General knowledge of finance and
business practices

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
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