Finance Associate

Buckles Law; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave + UK holidays

Birthday day off

Christmas Eve day off

New Year’s Eve (half day)

Job summary

Buckles Law is seeking a Finance Associate to join the Finance Operations team in Peterborough. This permanent, full-time role offers training and development in financial administration, system updates, and reconciliations, with a focus on accuracy and learning how technology, AI and automation can improve processes.

Ideal candidates are recent graduates or early-career professionals who are highly organised, eager to learn, and comfortable working with Microsoft Office and finance systems.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate or early-career candidate with an interest in finance, business operations, data, technology or process improvement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with confidence asking questions and working with colleagues across the firm.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and a willingness to build confidence using finance systems.

Responsibilities

• Support the Finance Operations team with a broad range of financial administration tasks, with training provided across core processes.
• Assist with maintenance of the firm’s purchase ledger and supplier records.
• Help raise electronic payments, post receipts and support reconciliations of bank accounts.
• Post financial transactions to accounting systems, including invoices and client money transfers.

Skills

Finance interest

Communication skills

Microsoft Excel

Team player

Organised

Education

Graduate

Tools

Excel

Job description

Buckles Law is an award-winning firm that provides world-class client experience on a comprehensive range of legal services to both businesses and individuals in the UK and internationally.

We deliver effective and cost-efficient legal solutions from our offices based in Bristol, Cambridge, London, Nottingham, Peterborough, and Stamford with international presence in Paris and Milan.

This is made possible due to our team of highly dedicated, enthusiastic professionals across our locations. We pride ourselves on providing a positive work environment where independent thinking and new ideas are actively encouraged and where every member of the team genuinely can make a difference.

Buckles holds the LawNet Mark of Excellence, is Investor in People Gold accredited, and is a certified B Corporation, reflecting its commitment to excellence, people and responsible business practices.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and curious graduate or early-career professional to join our Finance Operations team in Peterborough. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to start their career in finance operations within a professional services environment, while developing their confidence with systems, data and modern ways of working.

This is a permanent full-time (37.5 hours per week) role.

Finance Associate:

The role will support the Finance Operations Manager and Senior Finance Associate with day-to-day financial administration, system updates, reconciliations, reporting and wider operational improvements.

Full training will be provided, so previous legal finance experience is not essential.

The successful candidate will be highly organised, accurate and eager to learn.

You will enjoy working with systems and data, be comfortable using Microsoft Office, and have a general interest in how technology, including AI and automation, may support more efficient ways of working in the future.

The key duties include:

• Support the Finance Operations team with a broad range of financial administration tasks, with training provided across core processes.
• Assist with the maintenance of the firm’s purchase ledger and supplier records.
• Help raise electronic payments, post receipts and support reconciliations of the firm’s bank accounts.
• Post financial transactions to the firm’s accounting systems, including invoices, disbursements and client money transfers.
• Support the administration of the firm’s expenses system, including checking, coding and posting staff claims.
• Provide timely updates to fee earners and colleagues on money transactions and finance queries.
• Maintain petty cash accounting records.
• Receiving card payments from clients.
• Review accounting information for accuracy and escalates any queries or discrepancies for guidance.
• Support end-of-day checks, reconciliations and balance reviews.
• Provide credit control support when required.
• Develop confidence using accounting systems, online banking platforms and workflow tools.
• To provide general assistance in the absence of other team members, to include holiday and sickness cover.
• To possess a flexible approach in providing support to other team members dependent upon capacity.
• Assist with invoice processing.
• Show an interest in how systems, AI or automation may help support efficient and accurate ways of working.
• Contribute ideas where appropriate and be open to learning about new digital ways of working.

Skills and experience for the Finance Associate:

• A recent graduate or early-career candidate with an interest in finance, business operations, data, technology or process improvement.
• Previous office, finance, administration or customer service experience would be helpful, but is not essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with confidence asking questions and working with colleagues across the firm.
• A collaborative team player who is willing to support others, share knowledge and contribute positively to a busy team environment.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, with a willingness to build confidence using finance systems and digital tools.
• A positive, proactive approach and enthusiasm for learning new systems, processes and ways of working.
• Strong organisation skills, with the ability to manage tasks, meet deadlines and prioritise work with guidance.
• Excellent attention to detail and an interest in understanding how financial controls, compliance and accuracy support a high-quality client service.

Reward and development:

Buckles recognise the success of every employee; working with you to ensure you have what you need to maximise your potential and develop your career.

Alongside a host of development, professionally and personally, we offer some fantastic benefits, which include:

• 25 days annual leave + all UK Bank Holidays.
• An additional day for your birthday each year (or closest working day to your birthday).
• Additional annual leave on Christmas Eve (1 full day) and New Years Eve (half day PM) if these days fall on a contracted working day.
• Private healthcare options for you – via AXA.
• Free healthcare cash back plans for you and your family – funded by Buckles.
• Enhanced pension – 5% matched contribution by Buckles.
• Ability to buy additional holiday – up to 5 days per year.
• Group Life Assurance – 4 x your annual salary.

We are an equal opportunity and disability-inclusive employer and value diversity across the firm. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or parental or caring status.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to the recruitment process. If you would prefer to discuss this confidentially, please email [e-mail] and add the job title in the subject line of the email.