Finance Officer

Finance Officer

Full-Time 25000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support finance operations with month-end activities and improve processes for efficiency.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team at Birmingham City University, committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Master’s degree or part-qualified accountant with strong numerical and Excel skills.
  • Other info: Exciting career prospects within a collaborative and innovative financial team.

The predicted salary is between 25000 - 36000 £ per year.

Department Financial Operations

Location: Joseph Priestley Building

Salary: £28,287 to £32,006 per annum

Permanent Post Type: Full Time

Release Date: 26 January 2026

Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on Monday 02 February 2026

Reference: F126002

Please note: this opportunity is only available to current employees of the University.

The role offers an opportunity to work within a busy Financial Operations team and add value to the team. 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 accurate and timely delivery of Finance month-end/year-end activities including preparation of journals, bank and nominal account reconciliations for review. This includes assisting with the preparation of year end accruals and prepayment journals as well as ensuring journals and recharges are completed correctly. You will be responsible for reconciliations of the Debtors nominals as well as other GL nominals, aging analysis, bank reconciliations and cash management including cash posting, allocations of cash and cash flow reports. You will be responsible for Endowment Fund accounting and preparation of recs, reports for various charity funds, related investment analysis including month end and year end journals relating to the University’s endowment funds.

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.
  • Use analytical skills to understand customer ledgers and nominal accounts to investigate and resolve accounting errors, duplicate payments, or other issues within the financial operations area.
  • Respond promptly and provide advice and resolution to a wide range of queries from our internal and external stakeholders including student matters, in a timely and customer-focused manner.
  • Accurately identify queries that require referral to other colleagues or different areas and signpost appropriately.

You will maintain a basic knowledge and awareness of regulations, policies and processes, both internally and externally, relevant to the delivery of the Finance service. You will 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 have a master’s degree or equivalent, or 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.
  • 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.

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 employer: BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY

As a Finance Officer at Birmingham City University, you will be part of a dynamic Financial Operations team located in the heart of the city, benefiting from a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. The university fosters a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement, offering ample opportunities for professional development and growth, while also ensuring a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages innovative thinking.
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Contact Detail:

BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the University, especially those in the Financial Operations team. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your financial knowledge and Excel skills. We all know that being able to talk confidently about your experience with reconciliations and cash management will set you apart.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your problem-solving skills! Think of examples where you've identified and resolved accounting errors or improved processes. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate how you can add value to the team.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team!

We think you need these skills to ace Finance Officer

Accounting Knowledge
Numerical Skills
MS Excel
Financial Administration Procedures
ERP Systems
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Understanding of Financial Regulations
Data Confidentiality
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Customer Service Orientation
Process Improvement

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 operations and accounting. 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 this role and how you can add value to our Financial Operations team. Keep it concise but impactful!

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and attention to detail in your application. Mention any experience with MS Excel and financial regulations, as these are key for us in this role.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of everything. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy!

How to prepare for a job interview at BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY

✨Know Your Numbers

Brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around month-end and year-end processes. Be ready to discuss how you've handled reconciliations or journal preparations in the past, as this will show your practical experience in a finance environment.

✨Excel Like a Pro

Since strong MS Excel skills are essential for this role, make sure you can confidently talk about your experience with complex data files. Consider preparing a few examples of how you've used Excel to analyse data or streamline processes in previous roles.

✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills

Be prepared to share specific instances where you've identified and resolved accounting errors or improved financial processes. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and proactive approach, which are key for the Finance Officer position.

✨Communicate Clearly

Good communication is vital, especially when dealing with non-financial stakeholders. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms, as this will help you stand out during the interview and show that you can bridge the gap between finance and other departments.

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