Project Accountant (Reporting and Compliance) in Edinburgh

Salary - £38,939 - £41,321

Location: Any of our four sites: Bangor (Wales), Edinburgh, Lancaster, Wallingford (Oxfordshire)

Hybrid working (50/50)

1-year Fixed Term Appointment

A 1‑year fixed‑term opportunity has arisen for a Project Accountant to join our Finance team at UKCEH. In this role, you’ll play a key part in post award monitoring and submission of final expenditure statements for our UKRI‑funded research projects, supporting vital work that addresses some of the biggest environmental challenges of our time.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Lead and deliver UKRI grant reporting: Act as UKCEH’s lead for UKRI grant reporting, ensuring accurate and timely submission of Financial Expenditure Statements (FES) via the Joint Funding Service portal.
• Co‑ordinate and schedule all UKRI reporting activity.
• Serve as the primary contact for audit documentation, managing queries from auditors and research councils on UKRI grants.
• Provide backup cover for JeS submissions and administration.
• Work collaboratively with the Project Reporting and Compliance Lead through weekly progress meetings.
• Support wider funder reporting and audits: Review cost statements for a range of external funders, such as UN and UNEP projects, ensuring clarity and compliance.
• Prepare funder reports where required e.g. UNESCO projects, and support the EU Reporting Lead as needed.
• Lead on finance project reviews: Schedule and deliver financial project reviews using existing tools, working closely with senior Project Accountants.
• Develop and embed a formal project review framework, including start‑up reviews, pre‑closure checks and risk‑based scheduling.
• Drive continuous improvement: Collaborate with Project Accountants to create clear, tailored reporting templates for a variety of funders.

You’ll be joining a friendly, collaborative and values‑driven finance team, where your contributions genuinely matter. This role offers the chance to build strong relationships across the organisation, working closely with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, including project managers, scientists and operational teams.

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring a truly collaborative approach: someone who supports colleagues, delegates effectively and works confidently as part of a team. You’ll be skilled at partnering with non‑finance colleagues, translating financial information clearly and building trust with academic scientists and project teams.

For the role of Project Accountant we’re looking for somebody who has:

• Accountancy training or qualification - trainee, part or fully qualified (we’ll also consider alternative professional qualifications or non-qualification based relevant experience)
• Experience with UKRI post‑award grant management, including familiarity with JeS or the Joint Funding Service
• Proven experience in external funder reporting and audit processes
• Strong financial systems experience (Workday desirable) and excellent Excel skills

This post can be equally performed based out of any of our four sites (Lancaster, Wallingford, Edinburgh or Bangor) with flexible hybrid arrangements.

We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)
• Peer reward and recognition scheme
• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more...

Apply today with a Supporting Statement. If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please answer the following questions below, providing up to 150 words per question. Use specific examples from your experience and focus on your personal contribution and impact.

Our Commitment to Inclusion: At UKCEH, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and circumstances.