At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our finance team to manage accounts and support financial operations.
- Company: Be part of the British Geological Survey, a leader in geoscience research.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, 30 days leave, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while contributing to vital environmental research.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified accountant or relevant finance experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 37841 - 37841 £ per year.
Grade: UKRI - Band D
Salary: £37,841 per annum
Contract Type: 1 year fixed term
Hours: Full time - 37 hours a week is preferred (Part‑time will be considered for a minimum of 30 hours p/w and a small amount of remote working is possible, but this role does require regular onsite attendance)
Location: BGS Keyworth, Nottingham
Closing date: 7th April 2026
Interview date: 24th April 2026
A great benefits package is offered! including an outstanding pension scheme (with a generous employer contribution - on average 27% of your pay), 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays!
About the role
The post holder will work closely with the finance team, primarily using information from Oracle Fusion and other corporate systems. The role also involves liaising with the wider BGS workforce, external customers, funding bodies and suppliers when required. They will provide support and guidance on complex accounting matters, exercising sound judgement in reconciling control accounts, reviewing revenue generation and analysing income, referring issues to management where appropriate. The role requires some independent decision making, particularly around accruals, revenue analysis, form completion and resolving complex issues. However, much of the work will involve following established BGS, NERC and UKRI processes and procedures. The post holder will apply their accounting knowledge to ensure transactions are processed appropriately.
Key duties and responsibilities
- Month end accruals and other journals.
- VAT advice.
- Preparing non‑invoice and pre‑payment cases.
- Reviewing revenue generation / IFRS15 decisions.
- Preparing and reviewing monthly expenditure data and reporting.
- Processing of the employee allowances.
- Monitoring of the BGS Finance email inbox and appropriately dealing with queries and issues and assisting with the implementation of the new finance ticketing system.
- Assisting with maintaining the minor repayment system, with support from the other Finance Officers.
- Work closely with the Financial Accounts team, having a good knowledge of all roles in the section and being able to provide support, cover and supervision in the absence of the Senior Financial Accountant.
- Supporting the BGS Finance Management Team, with ad‑hoc exercises.
About you
This role offers an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated individual to make an immediate contribution to the finance team and the wider organisation. Working flexibly within a small team, you must demonstrate excellent communication skills as part of the role will require you to be able to explain and present financial information in an understandable way to non‑finance professionals.
The following specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post will be assessed at shortlist (S) stage, interview (I) stage, or both (S&I).
Essential
- Part Qualified Accountant (CCAB or CIMA) or AAT Qualified or Substantial relevant finance experience (S)
- Very good working knowledge of basic financial accounting functions, such as accruals, prepayments, debits, credits, journals etc as well as control accounts (S & I)
- Good experience of working at a high level in a complex financial environment, with a computerised finance system including production of reports and exporting to Excel / Word and using Microsoft Excel to at least intermediate level, including lookups, pivots etc (S & I)
- Proven ability to prioritise work and meet tight deadlines & adapt to changing priorities, by using problem solving and attention to detail skills (S & I)
- Must be able to build good working relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation, whilst displaying enthusiasm for the role and continuing any professional development (S & I)
- You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I)
Desirable
- Experience of not for profit and/ or science research organisations (S)
- Knowledge of relevant accounting standards and principles (S & I)
- Knowledge of VAT legislation and application (S & I)
- Knowledge of Oracle Fusion reporting systems (S)
A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.
If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re‑run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
About the Team
The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey that provides a core science mission to advise government of science related to the subsurface and its interfaces and also undertakes applied research for solutions to earth and environmental processes, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI as well as through research grants and via private sector contracts. BGS has an annual budget of approximately £60 million and employs 650 people. It has two main sites, a head office in Keyworth near Nottingham and the Lyell Centre, which is a joint collaboration with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. BGS works with more than 150 private sector organisations as well as having close links with 40 universities and sponsors approximately 100 PhD students each year. We strive to promote equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational efficiency. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society.
Finance Accountant in Nottingham employer: UK Research and Innovation
Contact Detail:
UK Research and Innovation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Accountant in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the British Geological Survey on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the team and the role, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common finance questions. We should also be ready to discuss how our skills align with their needs, especially around Oracle Fusion and financial reporting. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even if the interview is online, we should look professional. It sets a positive tone and shows that we take the opportunity seriously. Plus, it boosts our confidence!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after the interview with a thank-you email. It’s a simple way to express our appreciation and reiterate our enthusiasm for the role. Let’s make sure they remember us!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Accountant in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Finance Accountant role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially your knowledge of financial accounting functions and systems like Oracle Fusion.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex financial issues in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to make independent decisions and adapt to changing priorities, which is key for this role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your qualifications and experiences, making it easy for the hiring team to see why you’re a great fit for the position.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your documents are received correctly. Remember to include the job reference number in your file names to keep everything organised.
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Research and Innovation
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your financial accounting knowledge, especially around accruals, prepayments, and control accounts. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these concepts in previous roles, as this will show your practical understanding of the essential skills required for the Finance Accountant position.
✨Familiarise with Oracle Fusion
Since the role involves using Oracle Fusion, it’s a good idea to get comfortable with its functionalities. If you have experience with similar systems, be prepared to explain how you can transfer that knowledge to Oracle Fusion, highlighting any relevant reporting or data analysis you've done.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to present financial information to non-finance professionals, so practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated financial data to colleagues or stakeholders, as this will demonstrate your ability to build relationships across the organisation.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've had to prioritise tasks and solve complex issues under tight deadlines. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing your attention to detail and adaptability in a high-pressure environment.