Finance Assistant

South West Community Chaplaincy; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Library in London is seeking a Finance Assistant to join our not-for-profit Finance Team. The role handles day-to-day processing of library transactions, including receipts and payments, with accuracy and efficiency.

Key duties include managing ledgers, payroll support, and helping budget-holders. Hybrid working and a supportive environment with opportunities for professional development are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience with purchase/general/sales ledgers in not-for-profit or membership org.
• Fluent with accounting software for mid-sized charities (Dynamics preferable).
• Payroll processing experience (preferably Sage).
• Experience with CRM software for membership/donations data.
• Team player with ability to work independently and accurately.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and IT skills, especially MS Excel.

Responsibilities

• Create, manage and maintain purchase and sales ledgers; ensure supplier payments on time.
• Manage entries in Continia document-capture and Microsoft Business Central.
• Maintain a logical audit trail for all transactions.
• Assist with preparation and processing of payroll.
• Support Library staff and budget holders.

Skills

Purchase ledger

Sales ledger

Payroll support

Microsoft Dynamics

Sage

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Business Central

Sage

Job description

Finance Assistant

c.£31,230 per annum, plus benefits

St James’s Square, London SW1 (with flexibility in line with hybrid working policy)

35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

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.

About the role

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

About You

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

Why Join Us?

The London Library offers a friendly, hardworking, and inclusive workplace where we strive to support the diverse needs of our team. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to equality and diversity. Specific adjustments and access needs can be discussed to make this role suitable for you.

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

Closing date: 09 November 2026 @12:00pm

Interviews: 13 November 2026: First Round - Online via Teams

18 November 2026: Second Round - In person at The London Library