Finance Assistant: Payables

The British Museum; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 17,785 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free exhibition entry

Civil Service Pension Scheme

25 days' annual leave

Learning and development

Employee Assistance Programme

Interest-free loans

Job summary

The British Museum is seeking a meticulous Finance Assistant (Payables) to join our Finance team and support the smooth running of supplier payments. This hybrid, part-time role (Wednesday–Friday) is based in Bloomsbury, London, and offers a pro‑rata salary reflecting the 3-day week.

You will manage the purchase ledger, process invoices, and assist with month-end duties while maintaining high accuracy and strong supplier relationships in a busy museum environment.

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented and collaborative with excellent communication.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the purchase ledger and keep records up to date.
• Process invoices and ensure timely authorisation across departments.
• Prepare and run high-quality payment batches in line with schedules.
• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies.
• Liaise with suppliers and internal teams to resolve queries.
• Input and reconcile financial data, including general ledger postings.
• Support month-end processes including reconciliations.
• Maintain stock records and related queries.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and filing (digital and physical).

Skills

Accounting basics

Numerical accuracy

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Time management

Proactive mindset

Accounting software

Job description

Part-time, working 3 days per week (Wednesday - Friday)

Hybrid working available, based in Bloomsbury, London

Permanent

£17,785.20 per annum (based on £29,642 pro rata)

Application deadline: 23:59 on Sunday, 9 August 2026

About the role

We are seeking a meticulous and motivated Finance Assistant (Payables) to join our Finance team and play a vital role in supporting the smooth running of the British Museum. Working behind the scenes, your contribution will help ensure that we can continue to preserve, protect and share our collections with millions of visitors each year.

As part of our accounts payable team, you will ensure the accurate and timely processing of invoices and payments, helping us maintain strong relationships with suppliers and colleagues across the Museum.

You will be responsible for managing a busy and varied workload, balancing priorities and ensuring high standards of accuracy and service at all times.

About you

We are looking for someone who is detail-oriented, and collaborative with excellent communication skills. You will be able to evidence:

• A good understanding of basic accounting principles.
• Strong numerical skills with high levels of accuracy.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage high volumes of data.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to prioritise work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive, flexible and team-oriented approach.
• Familiarity with accounting systems and experience working in a finance environment would be advantageous.

Key areas of responsibility

Accounts Payable:

• Maintain the purchase ledger, ensuring records are accurate and up to date.
• Process invoices and ensure timely authorisation across departments.
• Prepare and run high-quality payment batches in line with agreed schedules.
• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies.
• Liaise with suppliers and internal teams to efficiently resolve queries.
• Input and reconcile financial data, including general ledger postings.
• Support month-end processes including account reconciliations.
• Maintain stock records and resolve related queries.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and filing (digital and physical).

The Masterplan

The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.

At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we've outlined some highlights below:

• Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme defined benefit with 28.97% employer contribution.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years), pro-rata'd for part-time working.
• Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
• Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
• Interest-free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.

Our Values

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Value Many Voices

These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to [e-mail].

Internal Applicants

We welcome internal applicants regardless of background, department or length of service but encourage you to let your manager know before applying.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.