Finance Student Placement

University of Derby; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangement

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Derby invites applications for a one-year Finance Placement aimed at outstanding second-year students studying Accounting or Finance. Based primarily on site in the East Midlands with remote options under the Adaptive Working Framework, the role supports month-end processes, ledgers, and payroll-related tasks.

Start mid-August 2027 for a 12-month fixed term placement. Applicants should have strong numerical skills, IT prowess, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Current 2nd year student studying Accounting or Finance at University of Derby.
• Educated to A Level or equivalent; GCSE Maths and English Grade 5+.

Responsibilities

• Assist with month-end processes for internal recharges and monthly reconciliations.
• Reconcile system sub-ledgers to the General Ledger and input system journals.
• Assist with payroll information for associate lecturers and other ad-hoc staff.
• Undertake bank reconciliations and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

IT literacy

Excel

Data manipulation

Communication

Professionalism

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

Current 2nd year student in Accounting/Finance at University of Derby

A Level or equivalent

GCSE Maths and English (Grade 5+)

Job description

£26,737 to £27,139 per annum(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £31,209.85 per annum)

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.

We have one simple promise - to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 - making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

The Finance and Procurement teams play a crucial role in enabling the University to deliver on its strategic aims. This involves managing and maximising the University’s financial resources while providing expert financial advice and support to the wider University community.

Our responsibilities encompass a wide range of essential functions, including providing strategic business partnering, delivering value from supplier relationships, managing effective working capital and cashflow and providing key financial support for our students.

Additionally, we oversee all aspects of payroll and pensions management, and deliver comprehensive support for financial systems, tax compliance, and audit needs. Through these activities, we provide assurance to the University community around the financial health and efficiency of the University, supporting its mission and operations.

THIS ROLE IS FOR UNIVERSITY OF DERBY SECOND YEAR STUDENTS ONLY

This one-year Finance Placement offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands‑on experience within the University of Derby’s Finance Department.

As part of the team, you will contribute to essential financial processes, including month‑end procedures, journal entries, and ledger maintenance.

This placement is designed to provide a full year of professional experience, combining office and remote work, to enhance your graduate employability and prepare you for a future career in finance.

Please note the anticipated start date for this role is mid August 2027 with the 12 month fixed term placement taking place in the Academic Year 27/28.

This opportunity is exclusively available to current second‑year students at the University of Derby who are studying an Accounting or Finance related degree.

You will have a keen eye for detail, strong numerical skills, and an enthusiasm for applying your academic knowledge to real-world financial operations. A proactive and professional approach, alongside excellent communication and IT skills, will help you thrive in this role.

You should be eager to learn, adaptable to change, and committed to working collaboratively as part of a high-performing team. This placement will provide you with the practical experience needed to support your future career.

Please note that students who currently hold a Student Visa will not be eligible for this role, unless a placement year is a mandatory element of your course.

• To assist with the month end processes with regard to internal recharges including communication with providing departments and monthly reconciliations of income/charges.
• Assist in managing the month end timetable; ensuring that deadlines are adhered to.
• To assist in the reconciliation of the system sub-ledgers to the General Ledger.
• To use, reconcile and update areas of the finance system, such as Budgetary Control, Chart of Accounts Hierarchy Maintenance and other General Ledger areas.
• System journal entry input for month end transactions.
• To administer the creation and collation of information around additional payroll preparation information including those relating to associate lecturers, other ad-hoc staff and hours for submission to payroll.
• To undertake bank reconciliations and other financial accounting tasks as required.
• To contribute to systems and procedures that drive quality and continuous improvement.
• To assist in the production of Annual Budget and interim Forecasts to specified deadlines.
• To include development of tools and reports along with reconciliations and controls in line with Financial Reporting Standards and to ensure audit requirements are met throughout the year.
• Point of contact for System users regarding finance queries.
• To provide assistance to various teams within the Finance department which could include Payroll, Financial Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Business Accounting Teams.
• Current 2 nd year student studying a relevant Accounting or Finance-related degree at the University of Derby
• Educated to A Level standard or equivalent work experience
• GCSE Maths and English Language at Grade 5 or above (or equivalent)

Experience

• Experience of contributing collegiately towards the achievement of team goals
• Experience of delivering Customer focussed requirements

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• IT Literacy and excellent Excel skills
• Able to manipulate data sets and present information in different formats
• Excellent communicator, both verbal and written
• High level of professionalism, enthusiasm, engagement and self-awareness
• Having the ability to be future focussed and adapt to changes
• Working with accuracy and attention to detail
• Team working within and beyond the immediate team, contributing collegiately towards the achievement of team goals, with a desire to be part of a high performing team

Business requirements

• Flexible approach to working hours when occasion demands
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University sites in a cost effective and timely manner

Experience

• General accounts experience – including the following: reconciliations, customer telephone queries/problems, accounts receivables or payables
• Experience of working in a busy office environment
• Evidence of working with and following procedures
• Experience of financial operations in a compliance focused business being risk and fraud aware
• Strong customer focus and service delivery achievements

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Proven track record in translating data into intelligent information and formats to influence and assist Management
• Highly proactive and organised; attention to detail; persistent in pursuing QTEC principles
• Able to build positive and mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues, customers and stakeholders
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Andrea Musson, Payroll Team Leader via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail] .

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Don't miss your chance - join the team and make a difference today!