Finance Project Assistant in Belfast

Belong to something amazing… Catalyst is seeking a Finance Assistant to play an important role in our Finance Team. You will support the smooth and accurate delivery of day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, expense processing, transaction processing and finance administration.

About the Role:

We are looking for an organised and detail-focused Finance Assistant to provide high-quality transactional finance support across Catalyst. You will ensure financial data is accurately recorded in our finance system, supplier and customer transactions are processed on time, and reconciliations and supporting records are maintained to a high standard. You will work closely with colleagues and external suppliers to help deliver an efficient, responsive Finance function.

Key Information:

• Contract- Full-time, fixed-Term 12 months, with opportunity to be extended
• Competitive salary – up to £30k
• Based at the Innovation Centre, Queen’s Road, Belfast (hybrid working arrangement available)
• Reporting to the Project Accountant

Employee Perks:

• Generous pension contribution.
• Generous life assurance policy.
• Enhanced parental leave packages.
• Free open access to company organised events.
• Free parking onsite.
• Free access to onsite gym.

About Catalyst:

We are a non-profit organisation that supports science and technology innovation in Northern Ireland with buildings and hubs in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry where companies can use our flexible workspaces to operate from. We use the profits generated from our property portfolio to deliver entrepreneurial support programmes, facilitate funding, inform policy and accelerate technology-based research and development, by linking with academia and government.

Working at Catalyst:

A certified Great Place to Work® and recognised as one of the top 100 Workplaces in the UK for 2024, receiving awards for Best Place to Work, Best Workplace for Development, Best Workplace for Employee Wellbeing, and Best Place to Work for Women, Catalyst is one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting employers. With a strong vision of Opportunity for all from world-leading innovation, this is a workplace brimming with ambition to create social, cultural, and economic advantage. We are a force for good, bold in our approach with integrity at our core and passion in everything we do.

Diversity and Inclusion at Catalyst:

Diversity and inclusion aren’t boxes to tick on a CSR list. At Catalyst, they are part of our DNA, lived, breathed, seen, and heard across our community, projects, and co-working spaces. We not only want to foster and empower a culture of innovation, but also an environment where people can be their true, authentic self and thrive, and we are proud to be recognised by the Diversity Charter for achieving silver status, with ambitions to progress to Gold. As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit based solely on the individual’s ability to perform the role, and that’s allowed us to create an inclusive workplace which celebrates the diversity of our teams and community.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Claims Administration:

• Gather, collate, and organise supporting documentation for project funding claims.
• Prepare draft claims and claim packs for review by the Project Accountant.
• Ensure expenditure is supported by appropriate invoices, timesheets, and funder procurement requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project records and filing systems.
• Liaise with project teams to obtain required financial and supporting documentation.
• Monitor claim deadlines and assist in ensuring submissions are completed on time.
• Highlight any missing information or discrepancies to the Project Accountant.

Finance Administration:

• Process purchase invoices and assist with routine finance transactions.
• Support supplier statement reconciliations and other account reconciliations as required.
• Assist with maintaining accurate financial records within the accounting system.
• Provide support during month-end processes.
• Respond to routine finance queries from colleagues and suppliers.
• Assist the Project Accountant with ad hoc finance tasks and reporting requirements.
• Provide administrative support to the wider finance team when required.

Essential Criteria:

• Minimum two years experience in an accounts, finance administration, or project support role.
• Experience of accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, expenses or transaction processing.
• Experience using a finance system or other accounting software, with confidence entering and maintaining financial data.
• Strong numeracy, accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong communication and customer-service skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, follow established procedures and handle confidential financial information appropriately.

Desirable Criteria:

• Accounting technician qualification or relevant finance study in progress.
• Experience of working with Sage 50, Microsoft Dynamics or a similar ERP/accounting system.
• Experience in a not-for-profit, grant-funded or multi-project environment.
• Knowledge of following procurement processes and adhering to strong financial governance.
• Previous experience working with funded projects.

Special Requirements:

• Right to work in the UK.

Criteria may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. Exceptional candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered where relevant skills and experience are demonstrated.