Assistant accountant jobs in birmingham
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The Social Research Association (SRA) is an educational charity and membership organisation for social researchers, dedicated to advancing excellence in social research across the UK. We support the research community by:
· Growing and connecting an inclusive, diverse community of social researchers.
· Expanding career pathways and professional development.
· Advancing knowledge, best practices, and innovation in social research.
· Representing and advocating for the profession.
We are entering a very exciting period of increased member engagement by expanding our member benefits, researcher community offerings which include mentoring, and the launch of a new digital community platform. Alongside these new activities, it is important that our core activities such as training and events continue to run smoothly and this role is key to supporting those activities.
We are a small team of eight people and are working in a very inter-connected manner.
About the Role
The Finance and Administrative Assistant will provide essential support across three main areas: finances, events and training. This role is about being detail-oriented in the finance administration, well organised, supporting smooth communication, and helping our members and partners to engage with our services. The role will report to the training and conference manager. The successful candidate will have a strong background in finance administration, substantial experience of using Customer Relations Management Systems (CRM) and Xero (or similar systems), and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Above all, you should be eager to learn and ask questions. This is a new role for us – so we're excited to explore and shape it together.
Key Responsibilities:
*Manage and maintain accurate financial records for the organisation, including accounts payable and receivable
*Manage weekly accounts reconciliation process
*Preparing financial reports, issuing invoices and chasing debtors for training and events
* Assist operations manager with budgeting and forecasting
Training and events
* Provide administrative support to the operations and training manager by managing the training and events inbox, bookings and attendance.
*Assist in monitoring of training and events by running feedback reports
*Provide more general administrative support for regular training events and the annual conference
* Coordinate meetings and events, liaising with trustees, volunteers and colleagues
General
* Develop and implement administrative processes and procedures to improve efficiency
* Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external stakeholders
* Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
Who We’re Looking For
We know that great candidates don’t always meet 100% of the criteria. If you’re excited about this role, and keen to go on this exciting phase of our development, we encourage you to apply.
Essential Experience & Skills
● You have worked in a finance administrative role where you’ve managed multiple tasks and met deadlines.
● You have experience using digital tools like Customer Relationship Management systems (CRM) and accounting software. You don’t need to be highly technical, but you should be comfortable navigating systems, updating records, and assisting others with basic queries.
● Responding to customers/clients via emails
● You have experience supporting projects or coordinating tasks
● Intermediate level of excel skills, e.g. produce monitoring reports on training bookings
Desirable Experience (Nice to Have, but not required)
● Knowledge of financial regulation for charities, e.g. the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)
● Experience working in a membership organisation, charity, or similar setting.
● Familiarity with basic data management (e.g. updating records, handling databases).
● Experience coordinating online or in-person events
● Experience of changing website content or interest in learning
What We Offer
28 days of annual leave (pro rata) + bank holidays
Fully remote working (with occasional travel for meetings, not anticipated to exceed 10 per year)
Even though we're fully remote, we offer a few days of face-to-face induction to help you connect with the team and organisation right from the start.
Personal and professional development including payment for one subscription to a relevant membership/professional body
Our culture
It is important part of our mission to represent the profession in all its diversity. To do that, we are committed to developing a talented workforce that represents that diversity. We are an inclusive and welcoming organisation and committed to ensuring our culture and ways of working enable all of our people to thrive at work, and not negatively impact on their private lives.
Interview Process & Accessibility
We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process that gives all candidates the best possible opportunity to show their value.
- We will provide interview questions 2-3 days in advance to help candidates prepare.
- We will reach out to you in advance of the interview to check if there are any needs or requests that will make the process work better for you. We’ll strive to meet any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
- Interviews will be held online, but we can arrange an in-person interview if preferred. In-person interviews would need to be held in London.
- We anticipate one interview and it’s likely this will be a mix of questions and a task.
Please be aware that in the event a high volume of application we will close this listing early - this may even be as early as 1-2 weeks from posting. This has happened on previous SRA listings and we therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.
To help us manage a high volume of applications, question 1 will be used as a priority screening question. This means we may decide whether to progress your application based on your response to this question alone.
Please be aware that we are looking for specific references to previous experience in similar roles and this will be a key consideration when evaluating applications.
The SRA is the membership and training organisation for social researchers in the UK and beyond, with over 1500 members from across the profession.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you a self-sufficient, organised, and highly enthusiastic individual with a high level of numeracy, attention to detail and technical IT skills? If so, join Shelter as a Finance Systems Assistant and you could soon be playing an integral role within our Finance Systems team.
About the role
This is a wide-ranging role requiring a postholder who can provide 1st and some 2nd line system advice, training, and troubleshooting across the procurement, accounting, common, and expenses modules of Unit4 ERP — Shelter’s financial system. The postholder will also be involved in system administration and managing user permissions for Unit4 FP&A (FABPS), Shelter’s budgeting system. Some testing and communications support on small process improvements or implementations across finance systems may also be required, including work on one of our key integrations with the HR system.
Role specifics
You’ll bring strong numeracy, attention to detail and solid technical IT skills, along with experience supporting customers to agreed SLAs, ideally through a helpdesk. You’ll be confident diagnosing and resolving problems, and able to communicate clearly in both writing and speech, adapting your style for different audiences. Familiarity with accounting software such as Unit4/Agresso is a bonus, as is knowledge of SQL. You should be comfortable using Microsoft Teams, Excel, Word and Outlook, and be organised, self-sufficient, and enthusiastic.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
This role sits within the Finance Systems team, a mostly home-based team. We support and improve Shelter’s financial information systems, helping to make sure that our financial processes are efficient, easy to use, and well controlled.
Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Contract: 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours per week), permanent with 6-month probation period
Salary: £56,650-70,000 per annum, depending on experience
Location: Remote working, with option to use co-working space
Start Date: As soon as possible
Reports to: Executive Director
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK.
How to Apply
Closing Date: 4th January 2026 (23:59 GMT)
To apply, please submit the following:
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Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)
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CV
Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.
About BASIC
BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.
For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.
BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.
BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.
What We Offer
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Competitive salary with room for growth
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30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period
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Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)
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Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours
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Remote working with option to use co-working space
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1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities
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Opportunities for professional growth and development
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Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion
The Role
BASIC is seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to lead our finance function during a period of sustained growth. The Financial Controller will work across Programme teams ensuring strong financial management and reporting to funding partners, maintain strong financial controls, ensure compliance with charity finance regulations, and provide accurate financial reporting to our Directors and Board of Trustees.
The Financial Controller will oversee the small finance team, including line management of a Finance Assistant and management of an external bookkeeper consultant. This team will be responsible for the majority of financial accounting, processing payroll, and accurate bookkeeping, for which the Financial Controller will be ultimately accountable.
The role includes managing restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with funder requirements and programme needs, preparing statutory accounts for external audit, and overseeing payroll processing. This role reports directly to the Executive Director to prepare annual budgets and financial strategy, and works closely with the Board's Financial Development Committee to present its implementation.
The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with strong technical accounting skills, experience in charity finance, and a proven track record of effective financial management of a growing organisation. You should be comfortable both managing a small team and working hands-on when needed, building collaborative relationships across the organisation. You will need to be a multitasker with the ability to work at pace, and be willing to develop the finance function and best practices to enable the organisation to grow further.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting and Reporting
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Oversee the maintenance of accurate financial records and bookkeeping in accordance with charity accounting standards (SORP)
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Prepare monthly management accounts including variance reporting and rolling forecasts
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Prepare annual statutory accounts and manage the annual independent audit process in its entirety
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Manage restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with funder requirements
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Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to the Board of Trustees, Executive Director, and funding partners
Financial Operations
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Oversee day-to-day finance operations including payment processing, staff expenses, and cost allocation (including staff costs)
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Oversee monthly payroll using QuickBooks (led by Finance Assistant)
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Manage treasury functions including bank and cash management
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Oversee procurement of key assets such as IT equipment
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Cashflow management
Grant and Budget Management
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Support budget development for funding bids and proposals
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Monitor spend against grants and projects, working towards full cost recovery
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Prepare financial reports for donors and funding partners
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Lead annual budget-setting and forecasting processes in collaboration with the Board and Executive Director
Financial Systems and Controls
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Develop and maintain robust financial systems, processes, and controls
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Continuously improve finance processes and identify efficiencies
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Advise on financial governance and best practice
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Manage financial risks and opportunities (e.g., insurance, foreign exchange)
Team Management and Stakeholder Relations
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Line manage the Finance Assistant and oversee external bookkeeper consultant
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Build collaborative relationships across the organisation
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Manage relationships with key external stakeholders including banks, international transfer services, and audit partners
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Work closely with the Board's Financial Development Committee and BASIC's Treasurer
Please note: This list is not exhaustive. Other tasks may be required as they arise.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
- Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) or part-qualified with significant relevant experience
- Proven experience in a mid-level to senior finance role, with responsibility for financial accounting and reporting
- Experience managing restricted and unrestricted funds
- Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing audit processes
- Experience in a growing organisation, implementing and improving financial systems and controls
- Strong technical accounting skills and understanding of financial controls
- Excellent numeracy and attention to detail
- Proficiency with accounting software (experience with QuickBooks highly desirable)
- Strong Excel/spreadsheet skills
- Excellent communication skills, able to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
- Highly organised with ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines
- Proactive and solutions-oriented, with ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Comfortable working hands-on when needed while also providing strategic oversight
- Ability to work at pace in a fast-growing organisation
- Commitment to BASIC's mission and values
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience in charity finance and understanding of charity accounting standards (SORP)
- Experience line managing finance staff
- Experience in an international organisation or with international funding
- Understanding of charity governance and regulatory requirements
Working to safeguard humanity and Earth’s ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
I am recruiting s permanent, fully remote Finance Business Manager for a well known UK based Charity. Reporting into the Assistant Director of Finance, your role as the Finance Business Manager will be to provide leaders and managers with financial data and analysis, alongside providing support in order to equip Budget holders to make effective business decisions. You will also monitor key financial risks and opportunities through financial data, modelling and reporting in relation to period end, forecasting and budgeting.
Experience required includes:
- Minimum 2 years' experience working at managerial level within business partnering teams, supporting budget holders
- Costings and Tender applications
- Understanding of the voluntary sector and government funding
- System literate, ideally with experience of Dynamics 365
- Producing budgets, forecasts and monthly management accounts, including variance analysis
- Line management experience
To be considered for the role you will be a CCAB qualified accountant, or working towards the qualification and be able to work in a changing and adaptable environment. You will have experience of supporting year-end as well as challenging budget holders and driving strong financial acumen.
This is a permanent role being offered on a remote basis (with travel to meetings circa twice a year). The salary bracket for the role is £39,642 to £53,570.
About the role
You will be home based and will need to travel in the UK, Eire, Europe and further afield as the role develops.
You will need some storage space available for Charity materials.
If you are self-driven, motivated, and want to help others achieve something amazing in support of Histiocytosis UK, we would love to hear from you.
You are likely to be in a similar role at another charity or have the right experience and transferable skills from another sector. You’ll be confident, enthusiastic, and an exceptional influencer with great customer care and communication skills.
There will be ample opportunity to shape the role, lead on specific projects and put your ideas into action.
The role will be mainly remote working so your experience and motivation will be key in this role so that we can achieve tangible results.
Who we need?
You will be an excellent communicator, face to face, online, phone or email. You know the importance of listening, and you are the sort of person that brings focus and calm to difficult situations. Prioritising your workload is second nature. Perhaps most importantly of all, you’re energised and driven by a passion for learning and making life better for those with a long term and/or serious illness.
A degree is not essential, but a communication and fundraising skills qualification is desirable. It is important that you have a high standard of writing, and that you are on good terms with your computer, particularly MS office, email and maybe even Mailchimp, Zoom, Sage Accounting, Spreadsheets etc.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.