Finance Assistant - Kempston in Bedford

Salary: Starting salary GBP 27,694 per annum rising to GBP 29,540 per annum

Basis: Full time

Package: 37 hours per week, Flexitime scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), Holiday allowance of 25 days (plus public holidays) on joining.

Contractual Hours: 37

Region: Central

Job Category: Finance

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced administrator, who is detail-oriented, to provide financial and administrative support to the Finance Team.

You will be responsible for processing all income and expenditure, entering transactions into the financial system (Great Plains), maintaining accurate financial records, and managing office supplies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Accounts payable: processing invoices and reconciling the purchase ledger, reimbursement claims and petty cash
• Processing income, sales invoices, and banking in line with our financial procedures
• Maintaining supplier and customer records, responding to queries, and recommending process improvements
• Collating data for financial performance statistics
• Assisting with statutory returns and year-end account closures
• Conducting monthly ledger reconciliations and maintaining Excel spreadsheets
• Responding to stakeholder queries and managing authorised signatories/forms to ensure correct authorisation of invoices and expenses
• Assisting in providing training on financial policies and procedures

About you:

You will have in-depth knowledge and experience of accounts payable and receivable, gained through hands-on experience. You will also have:

• Experience of using finance systems and computer/office automation systems, including Microsoft software packages such as Excel, Outlook, and Teams
• A high level of attention to detail and the ability to accurately process invoices/data
• In-depth experience of processing petty cash claims
• The ability to work effectively to deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• The ability to work collaboratively with peers, senior staff, and as part of a team
• Good communication and diplomacy skills, both orally and in writing, with the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English
• Maths and English (GCSE Level 4 or above – or equivalent)

For more details on the essential criteria required for the role, please see the attached job description and person specification.

Why work with us:

We recognise that you are looking for more than just a career. To promote a positive work/life balance, we provide the following benefits:

• Flexi-time scheme including flexible start and finish times, variable lunch breaks, and flexi-leave days
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Holiday allowance of 25 days* (plus public holidays) on joining; increasing to 30 days* after 5 years service and 32 days after 10 years service (*pro rata if part-time or irregular working pattern)
• Paid training and development opportunities
• Free access to onsite gym facilities
• Free onsite parking
• Instant access to the ‘Lifestyle Savings’ platform, which includes a range of discount cards from well-known and independent retailers
• Eligible to sign up for the ‘Blue Light Card’ with access to thousands of amazing discounts online and on the high street

How to apply:

If this role is of interest, please visit our website for further information and to make a formal application. We ask that you include your full career history and reference your skills and experience in line with the job description and person specification within your application and supporting statement.

The selection process will take place on Wednesday 17 September 2025.

This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2023. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act.

The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory pre-employment clearances, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance at the level required for the role.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safer recruitment, and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer that welcomes applications from all sections of the community.