Accounting Assistant

University of Sunderland; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sunderland is recruiting a six-month fixed-term position in our Accounting team. You will help deliver monthly management accounts, year-end reporting, audit preparation, and taxation activities, supporting financial operations across the University.

You will prepare management accounts, post journals, perform reconciliations, assist with year-end accounting and audits, and provide financial support for externally funded projects.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy finance environment.
• Strong Excel skills and MS Office proficiency.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation of monthly management accounts.
• Process journals and financial transactions.
• Undertake reconciliations and assist with year-end accounting.
• Aid audit preparation and taxation activities.
• Provide financial support for externally funded projects.
• Respond to inquiries and work with stakeholders across the University.
• Ensure financial processes are completed accurately and in line with procedures.

Skills

Excel

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Finance experience

Job description

Proud to be Sunderland

The University of Sunderland offers life-changing opportunities for more than 27,500 students across our campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong, as well as through global partnerships in 19 countries.

We're an inclusive, ambitious and forward-looking University in a vibrant city that's constantly evolving. We're also entering an exciting new phase with a refreshed vision and strategic ambitions shaped around the changing higher education landscape.

Your next opportunity

This is a 6-month fixed term opportunity to join our Accounting team and play an important role in supporting the University's financial operations. You'll work closely with colleagues across Finance to help deliver key activities such as monthly management accounts, year-end financial reporting, audit preparation, taxation activities, and financial support for research and commercial projects. This is a great opportunity to develop your financial accounting skills while contributing to the accurate and timely delivery of financial information that supports decision-making across the University.

You will support the preparation of management accounts, process journals and financial transactions, undertake reconciliations, assist with year-end accounting and audit requirements, and help maintain accurate financial records. You'll also provide financial support for externally funded projects, respond to enquiries, work with stakeholders across the University, and contribute to ensuring that all financial processes are completed accurately, efficiently, and in line with University procedures and regulatory requirements.

Is this you?

Ideally, you will have experience working within a busy finance environment, using computerised finance systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. You'll be proactive, organised and detail-focused, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy. Strong problem-solving skills and a flexible approach will help you succeed in a varied and collaborative role.

We're looking for someone who demonstrates integrity, accountability and a positive, can-do attitude. You'll be an effective communicator who can build strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders, while showing creativity, adaptability and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in everything you do.

Closing date:

Sunday 9th August 2026 (23:59 GMT)