Finance Business Partner

Morgan Hunt; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Hunt is recruiting a Finance Business Partner in Edinburgh for a hybrid, temporary role with an immediate start. You will provide expert financial guidance for grant-funded projects and ensure compliant reporting and resource management.

You will collaborate with researchers and project leads on costings, budgets, and funding requirements; oversee salary recharges, overhead allocations, and project costs; and prepare audits, reconciliations, and evidence for funders.

Qualifications

• A part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or equivalent experience in financial roles, particularly in grant management.
• Strong skills in using finance systems, spreadsheets, and grant management tools.
• Solid understanding of public sector or charity accounting standards and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with researchers and project leaders to provide financial advice on grant applications, including costings, budgets, and funding requirements.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of financial reports and claims for grants, supported by appropriate documentation.
• Track and manage restricted income and project expenses, ensuring alignment with approved budgets and compliance with funding conditions.
• Oversee salary recharges, overhead allocations, and project costs, ensuring they are accurate, timely, and in line with budgets and funding requirements.
• Act as the main point of contact for financial queries from funding bodies, ensuring smooth communication and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Manage the preparation of financial audits for research grants, including reconciliations, evidence collation, and addressing audit findings.
• Provide support for financial management, budget planning, and system administration as needed.
• Supervise and support a finance team member, ensuring effective workload management and professional development.
• Step in for the Head of Finance, Corporate Governance, and Risk when required, taking on delegated responsibilities.
• Drive improvements in financial processes and grant management practices.

Skills

Part-qualified accountant

Grant management experience

Finance systems proficiency

Public sector accounting

Education

Finance/Economics degree

Job description

Finance Business Partner

Edinburgh (Hybrid)

Temporary - Immediate Start

£27 to £30 per hour - 35 hours per week

About the Organisation

This role is with a well-established organisation that plays a key role in supporting research and innovation. The organisation is dedicated to delivering projects that make a real difference, with a focus on collaboration, sustainability, and creating a positive impact. It offers a dynamic and supportive environment where your expertise will contribute to meaningful outcomes.

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled Finance Business Partner to provide expert financial guidance and support for research and grant-funded projects. In this role, you'll work closely with researchers and project leads to ensure financial compliance, accurate reporting, and effective management of resources to drive successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with researchers and project leaders to provide financial advice on grant applications, including costings, budgets, and funding requirements.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of financial reports and claims for grants, supported by appropriate documentation.
• Track and manage restricted income and project expenses, ensuring alignment with approved budgets and compliance with funding conditions.
• Oversee salary recharges, overhead allocations, and project costs, ensuring they are accurate, timely, and in line with budgets and funding requirements.
• Act as the main point of contact for financial queries from funding bodies, ensuring smooth communication and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Manage the preparation of financial audits for research grants, including reconciliations, evidence collation, and addressing audit findings.
• Provide support for financial management, budget planning, and system administration as needed.
• Supervise and support a finance team member, ensuring effective workload management and professional development.
• Step in for the Head of Finance, Corporate Governance, and Risk when required, taking on delegated responsibilities.
• Drive improvements in financial processes and grant management practices.

What We're Looking For

• A part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or someone with equivalent experience in financial roles, particularly in grant management.
• Strong skills in using finance systems, spreadsheets, and grant management tools.
• A solid understanding of public sector or charity accounting standards and compliance requirements.

Experience You'll Bring

• Extensive experience in managing research and grant finances, including pre- and post-award processes.
• A proven track record of preparing budgets, financial reports, and claims for funders, as well as managing audits.
• The ability to communicate financial information effectively to non-finance colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Experience in supervising or managing team members and supporting their growth.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Preferred Education

• A degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field, or equivalent professional qualifications.

This temporary position is available for an immediate start. If you're ready to bring your financial expertise to a meaningful role supporting impactful research, we'd love to hear from you!