At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial management and enhance processes in a dynamic finance team.
- Company: Birmingham City University, a diverse and vibrant place to work.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a busy team and make a real impact in finance while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified accountant or working towards finance qualification with strong Excel skills.
- Other info: Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 28287 - 32006 £ per year.
Birmingham City University is a large and diverse place to study right in the heart of the city, and we currently have an exciting opportunity for a Finance Officer to join our dynamic team. This role will suit someone who is looking to advance their career in finance where they'll be joining the Financial Operations team. The role is an excellent opportunity to provide maternity cover on a secondment basis, offering the chance to work within a busy Financial Operations team and add value to the department. Based at our City Centre campus, the role is currently offering a hybrid system of working from home and office.
About The Role
To support the management in the provision of auditable evidence to support projects and satisfy the reporting requirement of the funder and the Compliance Team. You will be responsible for the creation of the projects and awards into Projects Module in ERP, ensuring that the budget is correctly allocated across the correct budget headings. Liaison with the RIDSO team with regards to any queries. Additional requests as requested by the SFO in line with the SJA agreement – Aug 2025. These include but are not limited to:
- Creation of new customer account requests
- Amendments to existing projects
- Monthly upload of project cost reports
You Will Also
- Proactively identify innovative and creative improved processes that enhance the team’s services thus contributing to the development of the financial systems and processes in terms of output and efficiencies and to minimise bureaucracy.
- Respond promptly and provide advice and resolution to a wide range of queries from our internal and external stakeholders, in a timely and customer-focused manner.
- Accurately identify queries that require referral to other colleagues or different areas and signpost appropriately.
- Maintain a basic knowledge and awareness of regulations, policies and processes, both internally and externally, relevant to the delivery of the Finance service.
- Support the internal and external audit processes through the accurate and complete provision of supporting financial documentation, and handle submission and first line approval of Finance transactions.
Essential Requirements And Skills
You should ideally be a part-qualified accountant or working towards an accounting/finance qualification and be able to demonstrate a combination of accounting knowledge, high numerical & MS Excel skills.
Below Skills Will Be Required For The Ideal Candidate
- Ideally have 12 months experience within a Finance environment.
- Ability to understand complex financial regulations and detailed procedures and explain these to non-financial specialists.
- Knowledge and experience of financial administration procedures and ERP systems.
- Excellent MS Office skills especially with MS Excel to work with large and complex data files for analysis.
- Good communication skills and attention to detail.
Desirable
- Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines without compromising accuracy.
- Understanding of information governance and the importance of data confidentiality.
The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.
Finance Officer (Fixed-term, 14-month maternity cover) in Birmingham employer: BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY
Contact Detail:
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Officer (Fixed-term, 14-month maternity cover) in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Birmingham City University on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the Finance Officer role and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your financial regulations knowledge. We want to show that we can explain complex concepts clearly, especially to non-financial folks. Practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your MS Excel skills during the interview. We know how crucial they are for this role, so be ready to share examples of how you’ve used Excel to analyse data or improve processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Birmingham City University.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Officer (Fixed-term, 14-month maternity cover) in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in financial administration and ERP systems. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about finance and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any innovative ideas you have for improving processes.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your MS Excel skills and any experience with complex data analysis. We love candidates who can handle large datasets and present them clearly, so make that stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly. Good luck!
How to prepare for a job interview at BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Officer, you'll need to demonstrate your numerical skills. Brush up on key financial concepts and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. Practising with Excel can also help you feel more confident when discussing data analysis.
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities. Be prepared to explain how your experience aligns with the tasks mentioned, such as managing budgets and liaising with teams. This shows that you're not just interested in any finance role, but specifically this one.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific situations, like resolving a financial discrepancy or improving a process. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated similar challenges, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Show Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves liaising with various stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication abilities. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms, as you may need to do this with non-financial colleagues. This will highlight your ability to bridge the gap between finance and other departments.