Finance Assistant

The London Library; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Library is seeking an experienced Finance Assistant to join our not-for-profit Finance Team. You will handle day-to-day processing and recording of all library transactions, including receipts and payments, with accuracy and efficiency.

You will manage purchase and sales ledgers, oversee supplier payments, and support payroll processes while maintaining a clear audit trail and assisting budget holders across the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchase ledger, general ledger and sales ledger operations.
• Ability to manage accounts payable processes and supplier payments on time.
• Experience with payroll processing support and recording payroll data.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics or other CRM systems for membership/donations data.

Responsibilities

• Create, manage, and maintain purchase ledger and sales ledger data; ensure supplier payments are timely.
• Manage entries in Continia and Microsoft Business Central for accounts payable.
• Maintain an auditable trail for all transactions.
• Assist with payroll preparation and processing.
• Support library staff and budget holders.

Skills

Not-for-profit accounting experience

Attention to detail

Teamwork and independence

Communication skills

Organisation & prioritisation

Tools

Microsoft Business Central

Sage

Microsoft Dynamics

Excel

CRM software

Continia document capture

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Finance Assistant to join our not-for-profit Finance Team. The role is responsible for the day-to-day processing and recording of Library transactions including receipts and payments, effectively, efficiently and accurately.

In this pivotal role, you will:

• Create, manage, and maintain accurate and complete purchase ledger and sales ledger data, and ensure supplier payments are made on time
• Manage entries in the Continia document-capture accounts payable system and Microsoft Business Central finance system
• Maintain a logical audit trail for all transactions
• Assist with preparation and processing of payroll
• Support the Library's staff and budget holders

We are looking for someone who has:

• Has demonstrable practical experience of effective purchase/general/sales ledger operations and management of financial processes in a not for profit and/or membership organisation
• Is fluent in the use and understanding of accounting software for medium sized entities/charities (Microsoft Business Central preferable)
• Has experience of supporting payroll processing (preferably in Sage)
• Has experience with Microsoft Dynamics or other CRM software for membership and/or charitable donations data
• Has demonstrable ability to work both effectively as part of a team, and to work independently
• Is able to plan, prioritise and carry out routine work to a consistent standard, with attention to detail and meticulous concern for accuracy
• Has good interpersonal and communication skills; able to convey information clearly and courteously, in person, by phone and in writing
• Will bring excellent IT skills (MS Office especially Excel, email, internet)

Personal attributes include:

• Pleasant, approachable, helpful, and responsive even under pressure
• Flexible, adaptable and with a good-humoured approach

For 185 years, The London Library has stood as one of the UK's greatest literary institutions, inspiring creativity, and ideas. Our esteemed members, past and present, include literary giants like Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, Virginia Woolf, and contemporary authors such as Kazuo Ishiguro and Sarah Waters. Our collection boasts around one million volumes, a vast eLibrary, and an invaluable postal loans service, making it a sanctuary for those who cherish the written word.

We are championed by our President, Helena Bonham Carter CBE, and operate as a registered charity. We have over 7,500 members and charitable turnover of circa £5m per year.

If you're passionate about delivering an exceptional Finance experience and want to use your skills to help drive the success of The London Library, we would love to hear from you!

Please note:

• All applicants will be considered on the basis of their merits and abilities for the post.
• We can only consider candidates with the current right to work in the UK.
• We reserve the right to shorten or extend the closing date of any position where a high or low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.
• Support for studies towards a professional qualification may be available for the right candidate