Finance Officer
Contract Duration: One month
Location: London (2 days on-site weekly)
Rate: £224.48 per day/ Inside IR35

A prestigious higher education institute in London is seeking a Research Finance Officer to manage day-to-day transactional financial administration. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with financial regulations, support research grant funding administration, and provide financial data and insights to assist decision-making. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to work both on-site and remotely.

Key Responsibilities *Manage all financial transactions using UCL’s MyFinance and Axiom systems.
*Train and advise team members on using financial systems effectively.
*Generate and prepare financial reports to support decision-making.
*Collaborate with the finance team to improve university-wide financial systems.
*Process interdepartmental transfers, expense claims, and student expense accounts.
*Manage departmental credit cards, ensuring accurate reconciliations.
*Handle procurement processes, including raising requisitions, purchase orders, and sales invoices.
*Ensure compliance with UCL regulations for expenses, procurement, and foreign payments.
*Oversee large-scale purchases, including tender submissions for items over £50,000.
*Support research grant applications by providing accurate financial data.
*Monitor grant expenditure and flag potential under- or over-spending.
*Assist in responding to audits and reconciling research requisition commitments.
*Administer research student fees and stipends via UCL’s systems.
*Monitor in-year expenditure to ensure financial targets are met.
*Provide insights for budget forecasting and resource planning.
*Manage discretionary accounts and prepare business reports.
*Act as the first point of contact for financial inquiries from staff, students, and suppliers.
*Maintain accurate financial records and investigate account discrepancies.
*Support departmental activities, including travel arrangements and field trip reimbursements.
*Liaise with UCL’s customs team to ensure compliance with import/export regulations.
*Supervise the Finance Administrator, set targets, monitor performance, and provide feedback.
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience: *Essential:
*A-Level qualification (minimum of 2 at grade C or above) or equivalent.
*5 GCSEs (including Mathematics and English) at grade C or above or equivalent experience.
*Proven experience in financial administration, including financial reporting and online systems (e.g., MyFinance).
*Strong knowledge of Excel for data management and numerical analysis.
*Ability to work effectively in a busy, team-oriented environment.

*Desirable:
*Experience in higher education or research environments.
*Knowledge of UK customs procedures.

Skills & Attributes: *Strong oral and written communication skills.
*High numeracy skills and attention to detail.
*Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
*Discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive data.
*Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
*Adaptability to new systems and processes with a commitment to professional development.