Finance Assistant

WSET's purpose is to empower people through inspiring learning experiences all over the world. We offer a comprehensive suite of globally recognised qualifications covering wines, spirits and sake. We are the world’s leading provider of qualifications in wines, spirits, beer and sake, delivering over 140,000 exams each year to candidates in over 70 countries via our network of Approved Programme Providers (APPs). WSET is a global organisation and we are proud to have people who work for us all over the world. The successful applicant will contribute to a culture of integrity, empowerment, dynamism, and inclusivity within WSET.

WSET fosters a welcoming, empathetic and inspiring culture that empowers our global talent to innovate and thrive.

We’re looking for a proactive, detail-driven Finance Assistant to support the smooth running of our finance function. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who genuinely enjoys working with numbers, thrives in Excel, and is confident handling large volumes of financial data. You’ll play a key role in maintaining accurate financial records, preparing insightful reports, and supporting core accounting processes. Working closely with the Finance team, you’ll gain broad exposure to day-to-day finance operations within a fast-paced and evolving environment — perfect for someone keen to build depth and confidence in a finance career.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• General Finance Operations
  • Carry out daily finance activities including transaction processing, bulk invoicing through automated imports, and bulk payment allocations.
  • Support submissions via customer portals and assist with resolving related queries or issues.
  • Perform regular reconciliations of receipts across multiple payment gateways, including Worldpay, Shopify, and Windcave.
  • Assist with month-end close activities and contribute to accurate financial reporting.
• Data, Reporting & Analysis
  • Work extensively in Excel, using advanced formulas, pivot tables and lookups to validate and reconcile financial data.
  • Prepare regular reports, schedules, and summaries to support decision-making within the Finance team.
  • Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial data and documentation.
• Process Improvement & Compliance
  • Support statutory audit requirements as needed.
  • Contribute ideas to improve finance processes, controls, and reporting efficiency.
  • Take on additional finance-related tasks in line with team priorities.

Person Specification

• Essential
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a logical, data-driven mindset.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, lookups, and large-scale data manipulation.
  • Comfortable working with large and complex datasets.
  • Excellent attention to detail and a high level of numerical accuracy.
  • Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and prioritise workload effectively.
  • Strong numeracy and written communication skills.
  • Working knowledge of basic accounting principles.
  • Well-organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • A collaborative approach with clear and confident communication skills.
• Desirable
  • Experience using NetSuite or similar accounting systems.
  • Experience working within an international or multi-entity business.

Salary - £31,000

Remote status: Hybrid working

UK Benefits

• Annual Leave - 27 days pa + public holidays, increases with service; ability to buy/sell 5 days.
• Pension (Generous options available after three months).
• Health insurance (after three months): Vitality scheme - post probation - Access to virtual GP appointments, Rewards include Caffe Nero drinks, Cinema Tickets, Apple Watch, Cash Back on Waitrose shopping, 75% off at Champneys, 6 month subscription with HeadSpace, Discounted Weight Watchers membership and gyms, Smoking Cessation day worth £300 and half price health screens.
• Eye voucher scheme.
• Food and drink in the office: Nespresso coffee makers and a range of other drinks, fruit, cereals, soups.
• Season ticket loan scheme.
• EAP 24/7 confidential help and support from trained counsellors and advisors.
• Death in service 4x annual salary paid to nominees with associated bereavement support for family.
• Enhanced family friendly leave and pay.
• Cycle2Work scheme.
• Development - WSET's in-house training and qualifications in Wines, Spirits, Sake and Beer as well as other professional development opportunities.

DISCLAIMER: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned, at any time.