Finance Assistant

Basketball England; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A national sports organisation is seeking a Finance Assistant to provide financial support. The role includes processing invoices, maintaining financial records, and contributing to budget reporting. Ideal candidates will have strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and experience in finance administration. This position offers flexible working hours with occasional travel to Manchester.

Qualifications

• Experienced Administrator with a proven record in finance administration.
• Experience of dealing with confidential information.
• Ability to handle data and implement office systems.

Responsibilities

• Support financial operations ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Process invoices and maintain accurate financial records.
• Contribute to budget monitoring and financial reporting.

Skills

High attention to detail and accuracy

Strong organisational skills

Confident communicator

Proactive in identifying issues

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Dext Prepare

ApprovalMax

Xero

Job description

Overview

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: 20 hours per week (flexible pattern, to be agreed)

Location: Remote, with occasional travel to Manchester office

Reports to: Finance Manager

The Finance Assistant will provide support to the Finance Manager and wider Basketball England team, ensuring efficient financial operations across the organisation. This includes processing invoices and transactions, maintaining accurate records, supporting budget monitoring and reporting, and contributing to continuous improvement of finance systems and processes.

The role is integral to ensuring financial compliance, accurate budgetary control, and the smooth day-to-day running of the Finance function, supporting Basketball England’s programmes, competitions, events, and strategic objectives.

Key Accountabilities

Financial Processing

• Regular reconciliation of bank account and key control accounts, identifying and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Monitor and manage shared finance inboxes, ensuring invoices, queries and requests are processed within agreed timeframes.
• Ensure the accuracy of invoices, expenses and credit card transactions are correctly coded to budgets with accurate descriptions for budget holders.
• Ensure timely request and follow-up of missing invoices and documentation to support financial accuracy and compliance.
• Manage and escalate queries or delays appropriately to maintain effective communication and business continuity.

Budget Monitoring & Reporting Support

• Provide accurate and timely financial data to enable budget holders to track spend and manage resources effectively.
• Support the Finance Manager in the preparation of data for monthly reports, management accounts, and statutory reporting requirements.

Process Improvement & Business Support

• Contribute to the identification and delivery of improvements in finance systems and processes, supporting organisational efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of workforce expenses, supplier payments, and other financial processes.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement across finance operations to ensure customer-focused and compliant services.

Operational Support & Governance

• Ensure compliance with Basketball England’s financial policies, procedures and statutory requirements, applying governance and control standards in all activities.
• Support audit processes, reconciliations, and record-keeping to ensure robust financial management.
• Maintain accurate and confidential financial records in line with data protection regulations.

Operational Accountabilities

Administration

• Accounts Payable: Invoice processing, supplier liaison, query and dispute management
• Accounts Receivable: Issuing sales invoices, chasing payment, reconciliations, query and dispute management
• Month End Processing: Contribute to month-end process and management account data, in support of the Finance Manager

Role Requirements

Experience

• Administrative Duties – Experienced Administrator with a proven track record of working effectively as a finance administrator (invoices, expenses, purchase orders, credit card transactions).
• Confidentiality - Experience of dealing with confidential information.
• Office Systems and Procedures – experience of continual improvement through the implementation of appropriate office systems, business processes and procedures.
• Data Management - Developing and managing effective and efficient office data management.
• Relationship Management - Building trust and strong relationships with an ability to anticipate risks and manage stakeholder expectations.

Personal Skills

• High attention to detail and accuracy in financial administration.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• Confident communicator with excellent customer service skills, able to work with staff, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team, with flexibility to support wider organisational priorities.
• Proactive in identifying issues and developing solutions.

Technical Skills

• Competent user of software and digital tools (experience of Dext Prepare, ApprovalMax, Xero, or similar systems desirable).
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and confidence in handling data.
• Strong numeracy and literacy skills with excellent written and verbal communication.

Other

• A genuine interest in sport and/or Basketball England’s mission.
• Commitment to Basketball England’s values, safeguarding, EDI, and governance standards.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles and policies.
• Willingness to work flexibly when required to meet business needs.
• Role subject to satisfactory DBS check, renewed every three years.