At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the British Museum as a Finance Assistant, managing invoices and ensuring financial accuracy.
- Company: The British Museum showcases over two million years of history and culture, attracting millions of visitors.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension scheme, discounts, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Work in a prestigious environment, gain valuable experience, and contribute to preserving world culture.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs or equivalent; strong numerical skills and attention to detail required.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we encourage diverse applicants to apply.
The predicted salary is between 24600 - 33300 £ per year.
Role Summary
Finance Assistant: Payables
Finance
Full-time
Permanent
£29,642 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Monday 4 August 2025
About the role:
The British Museum is seeking a Finance Assistant to work as part of the Payables function of the Finance Department in a world-renowned setting and the most popular tourist attraction in the UK. You will ensure that financial data is accurate, that all invoices are recorded in a timely manner, and that the service provided to Museum departments is of a high standard.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Maintain the purchase ledger, ensuring ageing is current and that payments are correctly allocated
- Liaise with all departments to ensure prompt authorisation of invoices for processing and resolving supplier disputes
- Prepare high quality payment runs, ensuring the weekly process runs efficiently and to timetable, including resolving queries, right through to the presentation to bank signatories
- Processing staff credit card returns to ensure adherence to Museum group policy
- Perform month end account reconciliations as directed
- Identify errors and inconsistencies in GL data and prepare correcting journals
- Assist with enquiries to the department and provide information to management as requested.
- Proactively suggest ways to improve processes to line manager and other team members
- Stock record maintenance and query resolution as and when required
About you:
- 5 GCSE’s or equivalent.
- Able to work swiftly and accurately with figures, maintaining consistency and accuracy in processing a high volume of transactions.
- IT literate with strong inputting and spreadsheet skills, and excellent attention to detail.
- Able to work well with others and take on other work in the department during times of heavy workload or staff absence.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Able to build strong working relationships within the Museum and with customers.
About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists such as Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery .
The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:
- Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
- Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
- Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
- Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
- Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
- Professional and personal development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts on food and gift shop purchases
Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to .
The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.
We specifically encourage applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups who are underrepresented within our senior roles.
We offer a flexible way of working scheme that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. We would typically see this role as working on site about 2-3 days a week.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Finance Assistant: Payables - London employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Assistant: Payables - London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's financial processes and systems. Understanding how they manage their payables and the specific software they use can give you a significant edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the British Museum, especially those in finance roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your Excel skills, particularly in areas like pivot tables and VLOOKUPs. Since the role requires strong spreadsheet skills, demonstrating proficiency in these areas can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you've handled high volumes of transactions in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy under pressure.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Assistant: Payables - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the responsibilities of the Finance Assistant role. Emphasise your attention to detail, IT literacy, and ability to work with figures.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the British Museum. Mention specific examples of how your previous experience has prepared you for maintaining purchase ledgers and processing invoices.
Highlight Communication Skills: Since the role requires liaising with various departments, emphasise your excellent verbal and written communication skills in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully built working relationships in past roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a finance role.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Assistant, you'll be dealing with a lot of figures. Brush up on your numerical skills and be prepared to discuss how you ensure accuracy in financial data. Highlight any experience you have with maintaining purchase ledgers or processing invoices.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
The role requires excellent attention to detail, especially when it comes to processing transactions and reconciling accounts. Be ready to provide examples of how you've caught errors in the past or improved processes to enhance accuracy.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You'll need to liaise with various departments and resolve disputes. Prepare to discuss how you build relationships and communicate effectively with colleagues and suppliers. Consider sharing a specific instance where your communication made a difference.
✨Be Ready to Suggest Improvements
The British Museum values proactive suggestions for process improvements. Think about any ideas you might have for enhancing efficiency in finance operations and be prepared to share them during the interview.