Project Finance and Assurance Accountant

Project Finance & Assurance is a team of management accountants responsible for checking and approving the financial viability and eligibility of successful grant applicants. Each member has a strong background in management accounts, scrutinises sets of accounts and liaises with applicants and stakeholders to ensure legitimacy and eligibility for public funding. This key part of the application process is conducted in a timely way to enable participants to start their innovation projects.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• First level scrutiny of financial and supporting information provided by applicants to ensure compliance with Innovate UK, Subsidy Regime, State Aid and Competitions guidance requirements.
• Financial viability review of applicants to assess suitability for grant provision and recording the same.
• Financial eligibility review of detailed project information in application documents, associated appendices and finance forms to establish compliance with policy, guidance Subsidy Regime and State Aid.
• Liaison with applicants to resolve issues identified by financial review, including timely documentation as supporting evidence.
• Work with other teams to integrate the results of participant project financial reviews with other requirements and processes.
• During the life of a project support and give advice on project changes and issues escalated by the Operations and Technology teams, including Monitoring Service Providers.
• Contribute to and deliver process improvements as part of ensuring an efficient, effective financial review process, whilst working with other teams to ensure optimum end to end processes for Innovate UK and our customers.
• Acceptance of spend profile.
• Assist with Assurance visits.
• Support other ad-hoc business requirements as necessary.

Person Specification – Experience & Qualifications

• Educated to degree-level or equivalent experience.
• Hold a professional Accounting qualification (e.g. AAT, PQE, CIMA or CIPFA) as a minimum.
• Proven Management Accountant experience in a commercial environment.
• Experience and understanding of working with business accounts, Management accounting processes and policies.
• Ability to liaise with stakeholders at a Director and/or CFO level, with a confident and articulate approach.
• Confident and articulate and ability to manage workload/priorities.
• Financial management and analytical review experience with focus on quality and attention to detail balanced with cost-effectiveness.
• Proven experience of managing workloads to meet tight deadlines, with the ability to prioritise using own initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with a range of stakeholders at all levels.

Competencies

All team members demonstrate capability against our Core Competencies such as Thinking and Problem Solving, Stakeholder management, Communication skills, Influencing, Self‑awareness/self‑management, Strategic awareness, Working with others, Project management.

Travel Requirements

Swindon‑based: May require occasional national travel.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Innovate UK is a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from all who meet the role criteria and promote equality, fairness, respect and dignity.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. Applicants may be required to undertake tests or assessments. Reasonable adjustments may be offered for disabilities or learning difficulties.

Employee Benefits

Benefits package includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, defined benefit pension scheme, support networks and discount schemes.

Flexible Working

We can discuss flexible working arrangements.

Pre‑employment Screening

Successful applicants will undergo comprehensive pre‑employment checks, including security clearance as required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to re-run clearance during employment.

Applications must be submitted by 21-05-2026.