Finance Assistant

First Light; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Plymouth is seeking a Finance Assistant to provide administrative support in the finance office. Key responsibilities include processing the Purchase Ledger and administering expense claims. The ideal candidate should have prior experience and be proficient in Microsoft Excel. This role offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Comprehensive induction and training programme

Employee Assistance Programme

Access to health and wellbeing resources

Qualifications

• Experience within a similar position is required.

Responsibilities

• Process Purchase Ledger accurately and meet deadlines.
• Administer expense claims as per policy.
• Resolve queries in a timely manner.

Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Excel

Good oral and written communication skills

Ability to plan and organise workload

Job description

Salary: £24,956 per annum rising to £25,350 per annum on successful completion of probation

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Holiday: 25 days annual holiday entitlement increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Base: The Business Centre

Contract: fixed term until May 2026 with the potential for extension subject to future funding or Permanent role.

RP024 Finance Assistant.pdf

About The Role

The Finance Assistant role will provide comprehensive support to the Head of Finance and work closely with Central Services to ensure the smooth day-to-day administration of the finance office. Providing support and advice on policies and procedures within their remit.

Key Responsibilities

• Accurate processing of the Purchase Ledger ensuring set deadlines are met.
• Ensure data is processed in line with authorised budgets.
• Administer expense claims as per the expenses policy and petty cash.
• Queries are resolved in a timely manner.
• Supporting all colleagues with financial advice in collaboration with policies and procedures.
• Maintain internal accounting databases an d spreadsheets.
• Assist with ad hoc projects.
  
  

Essential Requirements

• Experience within a similar position.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate ability to plan and organise own workload in order to consistently meet set deadlines.
  
  

Added Benefits

• A comprehensive induction and training programme, with a hybrid working policy for a better work/life balance.
• A wellbeing day per financial year (1st April to 31st March)
• Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases, to ensure emotional and psychological wellbeing.
• Health and wellbeing resources including our staff Wellbeing Group, Staff Consultation Committee and active participation in our employee engagement platform.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes a 24/7 telephone helpline offering medical, emotional and financial support.
• Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neurodiversities, genders, gender expression or sexuality. First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have an LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
• Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme.
  
  

Additional Information: The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check, and a social media check conducted by a third party organisation as part of our Safer Recruitment process. Any future offer of employment is contingent on the satisfactory completion of these checks, as well as the receipt of two satisfactory employment references, with one being from your current or most recent employer. Please note that in some roles staff may be required to work from a home/office base in accordance with our Hybrid Working policy.

Deadline for receipt of applications: 09:00 on 18th August 2025

Expected date for interviews: 25th August 2025

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early for the right candidate, so we encourage early applications.

If you do not hear from us within 10 working days of the deadline for receipt of applications, please assume you have been unsuccessful at this time.

To apply: Due to Safeguarding requirements we are unable to accept CVs as part of your application, or employ any candidate who has been a client of First Light within the last two years.

Please complete the application form on the top right of the advert on our website. Ensure that you outline your relevant experience and evidence suitability for the role against the role profile, which is a combined job description and person specification. Alternatively, you can email [e-mail]