Job Description
Weekly Hours Worked: 37.5 hours per week (circa 9-5 but flexible) Hybrid contract, WFH options available About Company We are Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber... one of 15 organisations set up by NHS England to operate as the key innovation arm of the NHS. Across the country we act as a bridge between health care providers, commissioners, academia and industry. By connecting these sectors, we help to build a pipeline of solutions for the NHS from research and product development through to implementation and commercialisation. Our vision is to improve the health and prosperity of our region by unlocking the potential of new ideas. Role purpose: The Finance Assistant will provide day-to-day support across the Finance function, helping to ensure that financial transactions, records and reporting are accurate, timely and appropriately controlled. The role combines practical, on-the-job experience with structured learning towards a recognised accounting qualification. Working closely with the Finance Manager and the wider Finance team, the postholder will develop their knowledge and skills across a broad range of financial activities, gradually taking on greater responsibility as their experience and competence develop. This is an opportunity for an organised, numerate and motivated individual to build a career in finance within a supportive and varied working environment. Key responsibilities: 1. Finance administration and transactional support • Process supplier invoices accurately and promptly, ensuring they are appropriately coded and submitted for approval, and following up outstanding approvals. • Assist with preparing supplier payment runs in accordance with established financial controls and authorisation procedures. • Raise sales invoices and support debtor monitoring and credit control, including following up outstanding balances as appropriate. • Process staff expenses, corporate card transactions and other expenditure in line with organisational policies and procedures. • Support the maintenance of purchase orders and ensure expenditure is recorded against the correct programme, project and cost centre. • Administer vouchers and similar payments to project participants in accordance with agreed processes and controls. • Respond to routine finance queries from colleagues, suppliers, customers and project teams, referring more complex queries to the Finance Manager where appropriate. 2. Month-end accounting and financial control • Support the monthly management accounts process, helping to ensure transactions are complete, accurately coded and supported by appropriate documentation. • Assist with preparing and processing routine monthly accounting journals, subject to appropriate review and authorisation. This may include: - Fixed asset additions, depreciation and maintenance of the fixed asset register. - Prepayments. - Other routine month-end adjustments. • Assist with regular bank and balance sheet reconciliations, investigating discrepancies and escalating unresolved items where necessary. • Undertake basic checks and reconciliations of monthly actuals and quarterly forecasts, with appropriate guidance. • Assist with investigating and resolving reconciling items and coding queries. • Support balance sheet reviews and maintain clear, accurate supporting schedules. • Maintain accurate and complete financial records in Xero and associated finance systems. • Follow established financial controls and procedures, seeking guidance where a task falls outside the postholder's knowledge or delegated authority. 3. Management reporting, budgeting and forecasting • Support the preparation of monthly financial information for budget holders and programme teams. • Download, organise and check Verto project information to support monthly financial and project reporting. • Assist with variance analysis and other financial reporting as knowledge and experience develop. • Support the preparation and maintenance of budgets and forecasts. • Help gather financial information from budget holders and programme teams. • Develop an understanding of programme finances and contribute to analysing actual and forecast expenditure. • Maintain the Finance team's library of costing sheets, ensuring approved versions are clearly identified, organised and accessible. 4. Funder and project reporting • Support the preparation of financial information required by funders and commissioners. • Compile supporting information and evidence for defrayal submissions and claims. • Maintain clear and accurate records to support funder reporting, financial monitoring and audit requirements. • Work with project teams to help ensure financial information is complete, accurate and available for reporting deadlines. • Escalate discrepancies or missing information that could affect reporting accuracy or deadlines. 5. VAT, year-end and compliance • Download, organise and check information required to support the preparation of VAT returns. • Assi