Senior Finance Assistant

University College Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

29 days annual leave

Bank Holidays 12

Pension scheme contributions

Subsidised private healthcare

Employee assistance programme

Annual health MOTs

Staff development sponsorship

Salary sacrifice schemes

On-site car parking

Hybrid working opportunities

On-site gym membership

Job summary

University College Birmingham is seeking a proactive Senior Finance Assistant to join our Finance team in Birmingham. Reporting to the Financial Operations Manager, you will support Accounts Payable operations and supervise several Finance Assistants.

You will maintain internal controls, handle supplier queries, assist with payment runs, complete reconciliations, and contribute to month-end and year-end activities while delivering finance training and improving processes.

Qualifications

• Strong Accounts Payable experience.
• Ability to supervise and develop junior staff.
• Proven organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support supplier relationships and payment runs.
• Maintain accurate data and perform reconciliations.
• Contribute to month-end and year-end activities.
• Provide finance training and guide staff on queries.
• Assist with internal and external audits.
• Strengthen and streamline processes.

Skills

Accounts payable

People management

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Senior Finance Assistant

Location: Birmingham

Salary: £35,608 - £37,694 per annum - SS5

Job type: Permanent, Full Time

UCB is an equal opportunities employer. We are TEF rated Silver, with a Good Ofsted rating.

The Role:

University College Birmingham is looking for a proactive and highly organised Senior Finance Assistant to join our Finance team. Reporting to the Financial Operations Manager, you will play a key role in supporting Accounts Payable operations, supervising a number of Finance Assistants and providing line management to the Finance Admin Assistant.

You will help maintain strong internal controls and accurate financial records, ensuring that accounting, audit and University standards are consistently met. Your responsibilities will include supporting supplier relationships and resolving queries, assisting with payment runs, accurately maintaining data, completing reconciliations, contributing to month-end and year-end activities, and supporting internal and external audits.

You will also deliver finance training to staff across the University, provide day-to-day guidance and support with finance queries, and assist the Financial Operations Manager in strengthening and streamlining processes.

The successful candidate will bring strong Accounts Payable experience, together with a clear commitment to delivering excellent customer service. You will communicate clearly and professionally, demonstrate excellent accuracy, attention to detail and organisational skills, and use your strong Microsoft Office skills to identify smarter, more effective ways of working. You should be able to manage competing priorities, work effectively under pressure and use your initiative.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is committed to high-quality service and continuous improvement.

Benefits:

• Generous allocation of annual leave 29 days' paid leave per year
• 12 Bank Holidays & Concessionary Days
• Excellent Local Government/Teachers' Pension Scheme Employer Contributions - 20.9%
• Subsidised private healthcare provided by Aviva including a Digital GP Service.
• Employee Assistance Programme inclusive of counselling services, financial wellbeing support and bereavement support
• Annual health MOTs with our Registered Nurse
• Excellent staff development opportunities including professional qualification sponsorship
• A variety of salary sacrifice schemes including technology and cycle.
• Heavily-subsidised on-site car parking in central Birmingham
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Free on-site gym membership

Extra Information:

All applicants for employment at the University will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of Safeguarding and the PREVENT agenda in the context of further and higher education.

Closing Date - Sunday 20 September 2026.

Interview Date - Monday 5 October 2026.

Candidates with experience of; Accounts Assistant, Senior Accounts Assistant, Finance Clerk, Senior Accounts Clerk, Finance Officer Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable Assistant, Billing Assistant, Senior Payroll Assistant, Finance Support Officer, may also be considered for this role.