Finance Assistant

Sense; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused charity in Birmingham is looking for a highly organized Finance Assistant to support financial transactions, maintain records, and assist colleagues with queries. The role requires good numeracy and IT skills, particularly in Excel, with a commitment to teamwork and Sense’s values. This full-time, hybrid position offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for career development and learning.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Excellent training and development

Group Personal Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Strong administrative or data-entry experience.
• Confident using digital tools and computer systems.
• Ability to explain finance information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Process invoices, expenses, and petty cash returns.
• Reconcile supplier statements and prepare journals.
• Maintain financial records and handle finance queries.

Skills

Numeracy

Literacy

Customer service skills

Attention to detail

Team player

Education

GCSE English and Maths grade C/4 or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Computerised finance systems

Job description

About the Role

We’re looking for a highly organised and detail-focused Finance Assistant to join our friendly team at our offices in Selly Oak. This is a full time permanent role, working on a hybrid basis 2-3 days in the office.

In this role, you’ll support the day-to-day running of the finance ledgers, ensuring financial transactions are recorded accurately and on time. You’ll play a key part in maintaining financial integrity across the organisation and ensuring suppliers, staff, and service users are supported professionally and efficiently.

This role is ideal for someone with strong administrative or data-entry experience, excellent attention to detail, and a passion for helping a team run smoothly. If you’re looking to start or develop a career in finance, especially if you are studying or plan to study AAT, this is a fantastic opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Process invoices, employee expenses, petty cash returns, and agency staff invoices.
• Ensure documents are correctly authorised, coded, and processed in line with financial procedures.
• Reconcile supplier statements and support the identification of accruals and prepayments.
• Prepare and process journals and support the clearing of internal finance reports.
• Assist with weekly payment runs (after six months in post).
• Support internal and external colleagues to resolve finance queries promptly.
• Maintain financial records in line with data protection and finance procedures.
• Prepare direct debit and standing order forms, and support updates to petty cash accounts.
• Use Excel (including VLOOKUP, CONCATENATE, and Pivot Tables) to process bulk invoices.
• Keep master spreadsheets up to date and prepare paperwork for archiving.
• Handle incoming and outgoing finance post.
• Support the Purchase Ledger Manager with various ad hoc tasks and reports.

About You

Essential Skills and Experience

• Good numeracy and literacy (GCSE English and Maths grade C/4 or equivalent).
• Experience in administration or high-volume data entry.
• Confident using digital tools and computerised systems, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and online portals such as banking software.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to explain basic finance information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Strong team player with a positive attitude and willingness to support others.
• Understanding of data protection expectations.
• Ability to prioritise your workload and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to Sense’s values and mission.

Desirable

• Studying towards AAT.
• Experience using computerised finance systems such as SUN.
• Ability to identify and suggest more efficient ways of working.

About Sense

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To Apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 393 4529 or [e-mail].

Equality, diversity and safeguarding

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependant on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. For more information please visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity/.