Finance Assistant

Arts University Plymouth; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent arts university in Plymouth seeks a Finance Assistant to support financial operations. The role entails processing invoices, maintaining financial records, and assisting with budget tracking. The ideal candidate will have experience in finance administration, proficiency in Google Suite and Excel, and excellent interpersonal skills. In return, employees receive substantial benefits, including annual leave, counselling services, and discounts on local services. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Benefits

15 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted bus tickets

Qualifications

• Experience in finance administration is essential.
• Proficiency in using the Google Suite and databases like Excel is required.
• Confident in busy office environments with strong prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

• Process invoices and maintain financial records.
• Assist with reconciliations and support budget tracking.
• Ensure timely processing of Accounts Payable payments.

Skills

Finance administration

Google Suite

Excel

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Salary: Band 3 - starting salary £25,733 (FTE £15,439) with annual, incremental progression up to £27,644 (FTE £16,586)
Hours: 0.6 FTE (Times to be agreed on appointment)
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing date: 8th January 2026

Arts University Plymouth is looking for a dedicated and organised Finance Assistant to join our university's finance team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys numbers, accuracy, and supporting financial operations in a busy and dynamic environment. You’ll play a key part in ensuring the smooth running of our day-to-day finance functions, working closely with colleagues to maintain accurate financial information and meet key reporting deadlines.

About You

• Experienced in finance administration
• Able to use the Google Suite, databases such as Excel, manage emails and ideally have experience in accounting systems
• Confident working in busy office environments with the skills to prioritise to meet deadlines
• A strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with customers, suppliers, students and staff at all levels
• Focused on accuracy, attention to detail and integrity, demonstrating flexibility, the ability to multitask, and an approachable, helpful manner

About The Role

• Process invoices, maintain financial records, assist with reconciliations, and support budget tracking
• Work closely with the Assistant Accountant and wider finance team, ensuring all activity is compliant with financial controls and audit requirements
• Deal with queries regarding card payments, process card payments into the finance system, and complete reconciliations
• Ensure timely and correct processing of Accounts Payable payments, reconciliation of supplier statements and the associated General Ledger reconciliations

The successful candidate will be willing to contribute to our ambitions and international profile as an innovative, sustainable and inclusive arts university.

In Return You'll Receive

• 15 (FTE 25) days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays, and closure efficiency days
• Access to a supportive, extensive Employee Assistance Programme including 10 sessions of counselling, menopause support, life & leadership coaching, legal advice, and financial coaching
• Enrolment onto a generous local government scheme, subject to scheme eligibility
• Additional benefits such as a cycle to work scheme, discounted bus tickets, education sector retail offers, local gym discounts, and a staff discount site with savings of up to 10% on the high street

We encourage early applications, as the advert may close prior to the listed closing date due to high levels of interest. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews are expected to take place on the 21st January 2026.

Safeguarding and Compliance

All appointments are subject to a DBS check, and you will be required to provide appropriate documentation as part of the onboarding process. A satisfactory DBS disclosure will be required from successful candidates as a condition of appointment.

Right to Work

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer visa sponsorship. Proof of right to work will be required before an offer of employment is made.

How to Apply

To apply, please complete the online application form. Please note that we are unable to accept CVs in place of a completed application.

If you are interested in the role and would like to find out more, please feel free to contact Tasha Deacon, Head of Finance.

We celebrate equality, diversity and difference, and welcome candidates from all communities, including applications from service people and their families as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. In the event that the University has employees eligible for redeployment at the time of shortlisting, for example due to the end of a fixed term contract, these candidates may be entitled to a priority interview.

To find out more about our award-winning independent arts university, what makes us special and why Plymouth provides a spectacular backdrop for our creative community; check out our working here pages: https://www.aup.ac.uk/working-here.

For more information about the role profile, visit https://shorturl.at/rKOFv.