Driving Instructors

Newcastle University; Oswestry; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A university in the United Kingdom seeks an Accounts Assistant to join their Finance unit for a fixed-term role. This position involves managing financial activities for research projects. Candidates should have strong numeracy, IT, and communication skills, with experience in financial management and SAP systems being desirable. The role involves creating projects in SAP, preparing budget information, and ensuring compliance with funding regulations. This is a full-time position for 12 months with clear opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• High degree of literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in financial ledger reconciliation.
• Experience in large complex organizations.
• Desirable experience with SAP financial systems.
• Recent experience in financial project management.
• Education to at least A level standard.

Responsibilities

• Creating research projects in SAP for effective financial controls.
• Preparing and submitting starting certificates for grants.
• Producing financial statements to deadlines.
• Preparing audit files to meet regulations.
• Providing budgetary information and advice to researchers.
• Reviewing financial data to meet funder conditions.
• Maintaining data on SAP for research projects.
• Calculating and checking salary increases in projects.
• Ensuring timely closure of completed projects in SAP.

Skills

Numeracy skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Organizational skills

Education

A level standard (minimum 3 × grades A-C) or equivalent experience

AAT qualified or equivalent

Tools

SAP financial management system

Job description

Newcastle University Finance unit is a large team of skilled and experienced colleagues who manage the financial business activities of the University. We provide a professional and proactive service to our students, colleagues and stakeholders, and we are committed to supporting the personal and professional development of our team. We have an exciting fixed‑term opportunity for an Accounts Assistant within our Contract Financial Management team. The team provides expert funder advice and financial management for University research and non‑research projects, which can involve multi‑million‑pound budgets and multiple domestic and overseas institutions. This is a broad‑based role that offers plenty of interest and variety. You will gain a good grounding in all aspects of finance in a large organisation. Once trained you will take responsibility for a diverse range of projects and use your initiative and judgement to make decisions and resolve problems. We are looking for a confident communicator who can build positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. Good numerical and IT skills are essential and you must be able to work accurately to tight deadlines. To thrive in the role you will need to be well‑organised and customer‑focused. Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be addressed to Donna Slassor via email [e-mail]. The post is full time, fixed term for 12 months. The closing date is Sunday 11th January 2026 and interviews will be held on Wednesday 21st January 2026. For internal candidates the post is available on a second‑ment basis; you should discuss this with your current manager before submitting your application. Please ensure you upload a covering letter with your CV when applying for this role. We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended/hybrid working.

Responsibilities

• Creating research projects in the SAP financial management system in order to facilitate the most effective structure to ensure appropriate controls.
• Preparing and submitting starting certificates to ensure grants start within the required timescales.
• Producing research invoices/financial statements to specific deadlines and with regard to funder regulations and University policies.
• Preparing audit files to ensure that funder, University and statutory regulations are fulfilled.
• Providing comprehensive budgetary information and advice to researchers on the financial aspects of their funding to enable them to discharge their financial responsibilities.
• Reviewing and correcting research project financial data in order to ensure funder conditions are met and to advise on the maximisation of cost recovery within the appropriate regulations.
• Maintaining and updating data on the SAP financial management system relating to research projects (e.g. structure, budget, and timescale).
• Calculating and checking salary award increases and updating the salary budgets in projects; applying to funders for extension in funds where applicable or advising researchers to do so.
• Ensuring the timely closure of completed research projects in SAP and the completion of final reconciliations.

Qualifications

• High degree of literacy, numeracy and IT skills and experience.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in the reconciliation of financial ledgers.
• Experience of working effectively in a large and complex organisation.
• Experience of SAP financial systems is desirable.
• Recent relevant experience of the set‑up and financial management of projects, and Research Funder financial knowledge is desirable.
• Education to at least A level standard (minimum 3 × grades A‑C) or equivalent standard by experience.
• It is desirable that you are AAT qualified (Association of Accounting Technicians) or equivalent.

Attributes & Behaviour

• Embraces change, reviewing and revising plans to meet with changing circumstances, changing ways and policies in light of new information.
• Communicates effectively, using appropriate tools and methods, tailoring content of communication to the audience, changing style, tone and format appropriately.
• Plans workload and tasks in a systematic way, ensuring all activities are completed on time using systems and tools to ensure records and audit trails are clear and up to date.
• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and builds good working relationships.
• Delivers a high quality service to both colleagues and customers, demonstrating attention to detail and a positive attitude.