Finance Officer
Contract Duration: One month
Location: London (2 days on-site weekly)
Rate: £224.48 per day/ Inside IR35

A prestigious higher education institute in London is seeking a Research Finance Officer to manage day-to-day transactional financial administration. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with financial regulations, support research grant funding administration, and provide financial data and insights to assist decision-making. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to work both on-site and remotely.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all financial transactions using UCL’s MyFinance and Axiom systems.
• Train and advise team members on using financial systems effectively.
• Generate and prepare financial reports to support decision-making.
• Collaborate with the finance team to improve university-wide financial systems.
• Process interdepartmental transfers, expense claims, and student expense accounts.

• Manage departmental credit cards, ensuring accurate reconciliations.
• Handle procurement processes, including raising requisitions, purchase orders, and sales invoices.
• Ensure compliance with UCL regulations for expenses, procurement, and foreign payments.
• Oversee large-scale purchases, including tender submissions for items over £50,000.

• Support research grant applications by providing accurate financial data.
• Monitor grant expenditure and flag potential under- or over-spending.
• Assist in responding to audits and reconciling research requisition commitments.
• Administer research student fees and stipends via UCL’s systems.

• Monitor in-year expenditure to ensure financial targets are met.
• Provide insights for budget forecasting and resource planning.
• Manage discretionary accounts and prepare business reports.

• Act as the first point of contact for financial inquiries from staff, students, and suppliers.
• Maintain accurate financial records and investigate account discrepancies.
• Support departmental activities, including travel arrangements and field trip reimbursements.
• Liaise with UCL’s customs team to ensure compliance with import/export regulations.

• Supervise the Finance Administrator, set targets, monitor performance, and provide feedback.

Requirements
Qualifications & Experience:

• Essential:
  
  • A-Level qualification (minimum of 2 at grade C or above) or equivalent.
  • 5 GCSEs (including Mathematics and English) at grade C or above or equivalent experience.
  • Proven experience in financial administration, including financial reporting and online systems (e.g., MyFinance).
  • Strong knowledge of Excel for data management and numerical analysis.
  • Ability to work effectively in a busy, team-oriented environment.
• Desirable:
  
  • Experience in higher education or research environments.
  • Knowledge of UK customs procedures.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• High numeracy skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Adaptability to new systems and processes with a commitment to professional development.