Finance Assistant

Breath HR; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Cerca Magnetics Limited (Cerca) is developing groundbreaking neuroimaging technology. The Finance Assistant role, based in Nottingham, supports sales/purchase ledgers, reconciliations, VAT, and management accounts, with training to pursue accounting qualifications. The position sits in a growing venture with Head of Finance support.

The role offers a path to progression as the company scales, including potential formal qualification training and exposure to grants claims and SOP development.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a finance environment.
• AAT Level 3 or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of stock and WIP processes.
• ISO 13485 or ISO 9001 experience is desirable.
• Strong IT skills and MS Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining the sales and purchase ledgers accurately and on time.
• Processing and maintaining credit card reconciliations monthly.
• Performing bank reconciliations and month-end processes.
• Assisting with VAT returns and HMRC compliance.
• Raising stage payment invoices and managing credit control for large invoices.
• Maintaining stock and WIP reports.
• Supporting management accounts preparation.
• Ensuring systems are up-to-date and accurate with routine checks.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

AAT Level 3

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

AI driven tools

Job description

Nottingham, UK

Details

About us:

At Cerca Magnetics Limited (Cerca), our purpose is clear — to make a tangible difference to people’s lives through the development and delivery of groundbreaking neuroimaging technology. If you are a technically minded leader with a passion for precision, process, and performance, this is your opportunity to help scale a world-class product that is changing the future of brain health.

Founded in 2020 through a collaboration between The University of Nottingham and Magnetic Shields Limited, Cerca has commercialised the world’s most advanced functional brain scanner — a lightweight, wearable system based on Optically-Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) that detect magnetic fields generated by brain activity.

Unlike traditional MRI, our scanners allow participants to move freely, enabling new clinical and research insights into conditions such as epilepsy, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and dementia.

The Finance Assistant will have a real eye for detail due to the complexity required from the role, whilst supporting the team and other departments to deliver an efficient service for a growing venture capital backed company. They will be responsible for sales and purchase ledger ensuring tidy accounts are kept, processing payments, stock and WIP management, analysis of profit margins and assisting with processing management accounts. This role could progress further in the company as it grows and would be open to a training agreement for a financial qualification.

This is an exciting new role and is the first finance role to be fully based at Cerca Magnetics with support from Head of Finance who works across multiple businesses. This provides a real opportunity to make this role your own and with the Company growth an opportunity to progress at pace. We would also be prepared to provide training support to gain or continue a formal accounting qualification.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintaining the sales and purchase ledgers accurately and on time
• Processing and maintaining accurate credit card reconciliations monthly
• Processing bank reconciliations and month end processes · Fraud awareness and confidentiality
• Assisting with VAT returns and ensuring compliance with HMRC
• Raising stage payment invoices and managing credit control of large sales invoices for complex projects
• Processing and maintaining accurate stock reports
• Processing and maintaining accurate work in progress reports
• Maintaining accurate accruals and prepayments schedules
• Assisting with management accounts preparation
• Maintaining the system to be up to date and accurate including routinely performing checks to ensure this
• Ensuring monthly reporting is undertaken in a timely manner and is accurate
• Assisting with year-end processes such as stock and WIP checks, creating audit file and answering audit queries with support
• Assisting with processing of government grant claims
• Support the development, refinement, and implementation of SOPs, work instructions, and structured operational processes.
• Identify workflow inefficiencies and bottlenecks, proposing practical improvements.
• Promote consistency, speed, and accuracy across business operations through structured process support.
• Actively contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the organisation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with multiple departments to keep activities aligned and well-coordinated.
• Support data collection, reporting, and internal communication processes for wider company initiatives.
• Assist teams with ad-hoc operational tasks, hands-on problem solving, and issue resolution as required.
• Adapt to shifting priorities to ensure operational continuity.
• 3+ years in a finance environment
• AAT level 3 or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of stock and work in progress processes
• High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and identifying errors
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities, able to manage multiple priorities calmly and clearly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; competent in business writing.
• Experience in a dynamic, growing business environment. ·
• Confident dealing with suppliers, customers, and internal teams.
• Solid IT skills (Excel, Word, Outlook) and the ability to learn new tools quickly including AI driven tools.
• Practical, proactive mindset — willing to roll up your sleeves and support wherever needed.
• Ability to anticipate needs, problem-solve, and maintain professionalism in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of managing or working to certain quality standards, such as ISO 13485 or ISO 9001
• Experience of system transformation
• Experience supporting operational processes, audits, or continuous improvement work.
• Interest in business operations, efficiency, and workflow optimisation.