Support assistant jobs in wormley, hertfordshire

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: 

• Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)

• 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

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• 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

• Oversee the maintenance of accurate financial records and bookkeeping in accordance with charity accounting standards (SORP)

• Prepare monthly management accounts including variance reporting and rolling forecasts

• Prepare annual statutory accounts and manage the annual independent audit process in its entirety

• Manage restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with funder requirements

• Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to the Board of Trustees, Executive Director, and funding partners

Financial Operations

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations including payment processing, staff expenses, and cost allocation (including staff costs)

• Oversee monthly payroll using QuickBooks (led by Finance Assistant)

• Manage treasury functions including bank and cash management

• Oversee procurement of key assets such as IT equipment

• Cashflow management

Grant and Budget Management

• Support budget development for funding bids and proposals

• Monitor spend against grants and projects, working towards full cost recovery

• Prepare financial reports for donors and funding partners

• Lead annual budget-setting and forecasting processes in collaboration with the Board and Executive Director

Financial Systems and Controls

• Develop and maintain robust financial systems, processes, and controls

• Continuously improve finance processes and identify efficiencies

• Advise on financial governance and best practice

• Manage financial risks and opportunities (e.g., insurance, foreign exchange)

Team Management and Stakeholder Relations

• Line manage the Finance Assistant and oversee external bookkeeper consultant

• Build collaborative relationships across the organisation

• Manage relationships with key external stakeholders including banks, international transfer services, and audit partners

• 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

The Management Accountant is responsible for ensuring that the staff and Trustees are supplied with timely, accurate and relevant financial information. This includes budgets for the Museum, trading subsidiary, individual departments and capital and revenue projects as necessary, as well as quarterly management accounts, cash flow and forecast, with additional analyses and reports as necessary.

This is a demanding post requiring attention to detail, the ability to take an overview and to make progress with several tasks in parallel. It is also an exceptional opportunity to work in a small and friendly environment at a busy and challenging time. The ideal candidate will have some understanding of the museum sector and an interest in the work of a high-profile National Museum.

The Finance team is headed by the Finance Director and in addition to the Management Accountant there is a Finance Manager and Finance Assistant.  The Museum employs around 80 members of staff (48 FTE).

Key responsibilities:

· Preparation of management reports, accurate quarterly forecasts and assistance with preparation of the year-end financial statements.

· Preparation of information for regular and ad hoc returns to DCMS and other external bodies.

· Ensure compliance with donor restrictions, public and charitable sector regulations and guidelines.

· Analysis of Museum-wide income and expenditure streams to monitor and improve efficiency and profitability.

· Provide and review financial information for funding applications.

· Key to the successful execution of these duties would be an understanding of financial information in relationship to the activities of the Museum and to explain these clearly to the Senior Management Team and Trustees.

· To provide the Board of Directors of the trading subsidiary, Soane Museum Enterprises, with relevant financial and management accounting information and to attend the quarterly meetings as required.

· With the Finance Director, ensure compliance with the Treasury publication ‘Managing Public Money’, Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), the Framework Document issued by DCMS, Cabinet Office control of Civil Service Pensions and the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP FRS 102).

· As part of the finance team, work with the auditors of the Museum and SME and the internal auditor.

· To work with the Finance Director liaising with DCMS on financial and other matters and developing a good working relationship. This includes completion of annual and other reports including the Museum’s submissions for the periodic Spending Reviews.

· To maintain financial and internal control systems, mindful of the requirements of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, internal audit and the NAO. 

· To provide papers in a timely manner for meetings of the Trustees and their Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and to attend meetings, as required.

· To contribute financial expertise to Museum-wide projects and initiatives.

· Work one day a quarter on the weekend rota to support front of house staff (for which TOIL is given). 

Person Specification

· Educated to degree level or equivalent experience with an accountancy qualification ACA/CIMA.

· Good technical knowledge of relevant Accounting Standards.

(Knowledge of government accounting would also be desirable.)

· Experience ideally within the charity/not-for-profit sector or an understanding of compiling charity SORP and company accounts.

· A broad understanding of VAT requirements (including partial exemption methods) and other taxation issues such as the operation of Gift Aid in the charity sector and corporation tax within trading subsidiaries.

· Excellent communication skills with a willingness to take a hands-on approach. The Museum has only a small staff covering a multitude of disciplines working closely together in a cooperative environment.

· An ability to prioritise workload and use initiative with problem solving skills and attention to detail.

-      Excellent IT skills, including advanced Excel, and a working knowledge of accounting systems, preferably with direct experience of Sage.

-     An interest in the museum sector.

Remuneration

This is a 3 days a week post at a salary of £23,735 pa, (£39,558 FTE)

16 days annual leave plus (pro-rata of 26.5 days) and pro-rata Bank and public holidays  

Museum staff can choose to join an excellent, defined benefits pension scheme, the Principal Civil Service Scheme Alpha. The Museum provides an annual season ticket loan.

We have Hybrid Working and this post-holder can work for 1 day a week at home, on the completion of the 6 month probationary period.

Our policy allowing flexible start and finish times means that staff can choose to start work between 8.00am and 10.00 am in the morning and finish correspondingly between 4.00pm and 6.00pm.

Our Annual Report can be found in the ‘Governance and Management’ section of our website.

Applications:

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 December 2025.

Interviews will be held in the Museum on Friday 16 January 2026.

Please apply by sending a covering letter describing how you meet the criteria for this post with your CV and the names and email addresses of two referees.