At a Glance
- Tasks: Support management accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting while collaborating with finance teams.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on delivering accurate financial insights.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and enjoy a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and career growth in finance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while learning from experienced professionals.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a customer service mindset are essential.
The predicted salary is between 48750 - 51250 £ per year.
Main purpose of the job
The post-holder will support the Management Accountant in the delivery of management accounting, including month-end activities, budgeting and forecasting, variance analysis and cost management. They will provide accurate financial information to support the CFO's strategic financial responsibilities, including support to the business areas through the Finance Business Partner team. The post-holder will help to ensure that the management reporting is accurate, reliable and timely to support decision making.
The post-holder will work closely with colleagues responsible for general accounting and will need to understand and deliver on their management accounting needs. They will also work closely with other colleagues in the management accounting team to support the delivery of day-to-day finance services, including posting journals, account reconciliations, invoicing and purchasing. This will involve finance colleagues in the business areas, FP&A, Financial Accounting team and Finance Business Partners. As part of the role, the post-holder will support the training and development of finance staff and ensure professional development needs are met.
The post-holder will have strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills. They will demonstrate a customer service mindset with the ability to build strong working relationships with stakeholders.
Duties and responsibilities
- Deliver the operational accounting needs in providing management accounting services, including processing journals, performing reconciliations, raising invoices against contracts, requisitioning PO's, approving MyHR and Portico forms.
- Support the delivery of management accounting services, including cost management, ensuring accounting entries required are made to ensure the accuracy of management accounts.
- Support the month-end process to ensure accurate data underpins the management reporting through data management and reconciliation, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
- Manage and review the budget and forecast template returns, supporting administrators in updating the templates or reviewing returns to ensure information is complete and accurate.
- Deliver general accounting and transactional processing services supporting day-to-day operational finance.
- Assist in the preparation of financial information required by the business area for funding bodies, committees or budget holders.
- Provide finance administrative support to the business area with processes such as new project set up, user access to MyFinance projects, raising PO's and monitoring outstanding PO's for budget-holders.
- Deliver continuous customer service, identifying and initiating improvements to financial systems, processes and workflows.
- Perform monthly and year-end activities ensuring compliance with financial regulations and external audit requirements.
- Identify and elevate known issues in transactional processing to the Management Accountant.
- Disseminate good practice and support the provision of guidance and training on operational accounting issues.
- Provide excellent customer service through responding to queries and seeking support as required.
- Develop strong working relationships with colleagues across finance to share best practice and develop new systems and processes.
- Contribute to training events where relevant to share specific skills and experience with finance colleagues.
- Contribute to team initiatives, adopting a collaborative and supportive approach.
Finance Assistant in London employer: UCL
The Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, where your contributions to student recruitment and marketing will be valued. With a strong emphasis on professional development, you will have opportunities to grow your skills in higher education admissions and digital marketing while collaborating with a diverse team dedicated to excellence in teaching and research. Located in a vibrant academic community, this role provides a unique chance to engage with prospective students and make a meaningful impact on their educational journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Assistant in London
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like UCL.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like UCL might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Assistant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at UCL will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at UCL. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give UCL confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at UCL
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with UCL.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure UCL that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
