Accounts Assistant (Fixed Term Contract) in Oxford

This is a fixed term contract for a minimum period of 6 months. The team of Accounts Assistants are predominantly responsible for the high volume tasks of checking UK Staff Expense claims for compliance with OUP and HMRC policies and rules (approx. 10,000 p.a.), and for posting journal entries submitted for posting to the Finance system (approx. 5,000 p.a.). Tasks will be allocated to ensure that the work is completed on a timely basis and that deadlines are met, and that there is cover at peak times and during absence.

The role involves ensuring UK staff expenses comply with relevant policies and HMRC VAT rules, identifying taxable benefits for P11d and PSA purposes, and maintaining accurate records and timely processing of expense claims. Responsibilities include clearing expense queues before month-end, filing documentation, and uploading journal entries to SAP S4/Hana with proper supporting evidence for authorisation. Additionally, the position supports the Financial Accounts team by preparing UK financial accounts, raising invoices, recharging costs, and producing simple reports, all with attention to detail and adherence to procedures and deadlines. Effective communication and collaboration with business staff are essential to deliver services that meet agreed standards and support organisational needs.

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have/be:

• Experience of working in a Finance team, demonstrating the ability to meet key deadlines and a focus on attention to detail and accuracy
• Highly motivated and willing to learn, flexible around month end to ensure that deadlines are met
• Ability to develop relationships, influence, and communicate effectively, with staff at all levels of seniority and across different cultures
• Experience of using SAP and/or Happay
• Microsoft Office skills (primarily Excel and Outlook)

We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days’ holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies.

We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.