Accounts Payable Clerk

The role of the Accounts Payable Clerk is to process transactions as accurately and effectively as possible. This includes:

• Entering invoices onto computer systems
• Matching invoices to purchase orders and querying variances
• Checking invoices for accuracy, VAT treatment and payment terms
• Processing expense claims via an online system
• Obtaining valid internal authorisation for transactions
• Monitoring finance inbox queries and invoice printing
• Ensuring invoices are correctly coded in the general ledger
• Arranging payment of foreign currency invoices
• Collecting, distributing and scanning post
• Creating new standing data e.g. supplier accounts
• Updating records of standing data
• Routine accounting controls
• Extracting information from ledgers
• Processing payment runs
• Answering queries from suppliers, customers, budget holders and auditors

Key Relationships

Regular interaction across all levels in finance and purchasing. Dealing with all individuals in all institutes with regards to payment of invoices. Interaction with suppliers.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Invoice and Expenses Transaction Processing

• Entering invoices onto computer systems
• Matching invoices to purchase orders and querying variances
• Checking invoices for accuracy, VAT treatment and payment terms
• Processing expense claims via an online system
• Obtaining valid internal authorisation for transactions
• Monitoring finance inbox queries and invoice printing
• Ensuring invoices are correctly coded in the general ledger
• Arranging payment of foreign currency invoices
• Collecting, distributing and scanning post

Database Maintenance

• Creating new standing data e.g. supplier accounts
• Updating records of standing data

Ledger Analyses and Reports

• Answering queries from suppliers, customers, budget holders and auditors
• Extracting information from ledgers

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs grades A-C including Maths and English or an equivalent qualification (Essential)
• AAT Level 2 certificate in accounting or an equivalent (Desirable)

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office 365 (Essential)
• Knowledge and understanding of VAT (Essential)
• Knowledge of Great Plains software package (Desirable)
• Knowledge of online expense systems (Desirable)

Experience

• Recent experience working in a finance team in an accounts payable role (Essential)
• Significant experience of processing invoices and expenses (Essential)
• Experience of working in a multi company environment (Essential)
• Previous experience of working for a charity (Desirable)

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Good communication skills both written and verbal (Essential)
• Excellent organisational skills to manage own workload (Essential)
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team (Essential)
• Ability to work with precision and accuracy (Essential)
• Customer focused (Essential)
• Willingness to help others and be flexible (Essential)

Additional Requirements

• Attention to detail (Essential)
• Keen to continue to learn and adapt (Essential)
• Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership (Essential)
• Promotes equality and values diversity (Essential)
• Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work (Essential)
• Willingness to work outside of standard working hours when required (Essential)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate (Essential)

Who We Are

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park. The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

This position is based within the NBI Partnership finance team. The NBI Partnership has an exciting opportunity for an Accounts Payable Clerk to join their busy Finance department. Background: The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes, their subsidiaries and for the NBI Partnership. Based on the Norwich Research Park, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team. In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The Finance department is responsible for dealing with all finance matters for the main organisations on site and other subsidiary companies. Financial services provided include Management Accounts, Petty Cash, Expense Claims, Budgeting and Grant Accounting. They also deal with all Statutory Accounting, VAT and Taxation issues.

The role: The Accounts Payable Clerk will be required to process payable transactions such as invoices, expenses and payments accurately and effectively. Candidates should have experience in finance and fundamental knowledge of accounts payable processes. High attention to detail, integrity and good communication skills, as well as being a team player with a supportive attitude are key traits needed for this role.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have 5 GCSEs (at grade A-C) including Mathematics and English, or equivalent. AAT level 2 qualification or experience on Great Plains software would be advantageous. Additionally, excellent computer skills (including Microsoft Excel) and experience of processing invoices are essential.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £24,000 to £27,000, per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time (37hr week) post offered on a permanent basis. Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship. The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications. The closing date for applications will be 8th February 2026. We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.