Senior Finance Assistant in Sheffield

Overview

The Department of Finance is seeking enthusiastic, self‑motivated, flexible and proactive team players with excellent customer service skills.

The primary focus of this role is to provide sound financial support to our Schools, helping them ensure that their external research and other external and internal funding achieve the objectives specified by the funders or the institution.

The role requires a flexible and pro‑active approach and will support a variety of financial activities and colleagues across a number of Schools or business areas.

In this role you will liaise directly with both internal and external stakeholders and work with the University’s financial systems to process a wide range of financial transactions and other financial administrative processes, with the objective of maximising financial administration efficiency and effectiveness.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Support the financial management of research grants, other external projects and core budgets as required, maintaining appropriate records covering staffing, studentships and other expenditure as required
• Provide analysis and review of individual externally funded project accounts to ensure that accounts are monitored and controlled within the constraints of the budget and in accordance with external funder guidelines.

To identify potential under/overspends on a timely basis in order that remedial action may be taken as appropriate.

To examine, identify and assess potential or impending areas of risk and contribute to recommendations to minimise risk.

• Prepare financial expenditure statements (claims) on externally funded projects as required, liaising with Academic, School and other Professional Services colleagues as required.
• Liaise with external partners and / or collaborators to satisfy funder requirements in terms of reporting expenditure
• Assist with the provision of evidence & relevant information to external auditors necessary for completing the audit of externally funded projects.
• Contribute to financial housekeeping in respect of external accounts: closures, data validation and other tasks as appropriate
• Assist the team with a range of financial administrative activities such as the creation of cost centres and external project accounts using the finance system
• Plan tasks in accordance with known deadlines, including external funder requirements, monthly and annual University financial reporting requirements.
• As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

• 5 GCSEs grades A-C, including Maths and English, or experience equivalent to.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and customer service skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships.
• The ability to analyse, interpret and effectively communicate financial data.
• Ability to review and provide meaningful feedback on contractual financial terms and conditions.
• Ability to work proactively using own initiative, with minimum supervision and to meet multiple deadlines.
• Confident with willingness to challenge and be challenged.
• Ability to manage simple and complex processes effectively.
• Ability to gain trust, confidence and respect amongst colleagues.
• Assessment Stages
• Application
• Interview

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place week commencing 17th Aug 2026.

This will consist of a test followed by an interview.

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 7th August 2026.

If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Alicia Darwent ( ).

We are a Disability Confident Employer.

If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Benefits

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A range of generous family‑friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• support for those going through the menopause
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more
• The University of Sheffield Western Bank Sheffield S10 2TN
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