Research Finance Assistant

Uniperms Coventry, England, United Kingdom

Uniperms
• The University of Warwick, Coventry, (United Kingdom)

Overview

The University of Warwick is a world‑leading research‑intensive university, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK. Over 90% of research is assessed as world leading or internationally excellent. Warwick offers a diverse, innovative community that supports professional development and collaboration across disciplines.

About the Role

Fixed Term Contract (12 months) full‑time position (36.5 hours per week). The role is based in the Research Finance – Post Award team, supporting externally funded research and related projects from award acceptance to closure, ensuring compliance with university regulations and funder requirements. The post holder will work independently, maintain excellent customer‑service ethos, and build strong working relationships with stakeholders.

• Preparing claims and invoices for research projects.
• Providing post‑award financial administration assistance for small to medium‑sized research projects.
• Offering support and advice to Departments and Principal Investigators in liaison with Research & Impact Service (R&IS).
• Advising on eligibility of spend, budget virements and funder rules.
• Managing cost‑recovery invoices for a portfolio of Departments.
• Completing income transfer journals, reporting actual spend versus budget and ensuring budgets are utilised without overspends.
• Maintaining complete, accurate and auditable working papers supporting claims and invoices.
• Posting journals to clear reconciling items or correct mis‑postings/ remove ineligible spend promptly.
• Producing financial reports from SAP, manipulating data in Excel to reconcile and review transactions on research grants.
• Ensuring claims and invoices are complete, accurate and comply with funder terms and conditions.
• Liaising with departmental contacts and funders, and meeting all deadlines.
• Inputting claims on external funder systems as required.
• Keeping up‑to‑date knowledge of varying funder rules and financial procedures to ensure compliance.
• Maintaining a timesheet log and submitting signed timesheets within two months.
• Downloading and pivoting payroll data, maintaining an automated reconciliation of salary costs.
• Setting up new research project codes by reviewing contracts or grant offer letters, and maintaining this data.
• Liaising with R&IS contacts in pre‑award regarding project set‑ups queries.
• Submitting starting certificates if required.
• Monitoring research projects that have ended and ensuring appropriate actions for a prompt close.
• Maintaining an action plan for projects past end date but not yet closed off.
• On project completion, ensuring all required documents and audit trail are archived.
• Assisting with audits and preparing documentation.
• Responding in a timely manner to basic audit queries from external or internal auditors.
• Providing absence cover for work and undertaking other ad hoc duties as required.

• Good GCSEs including English and Maths grades A‑C or equivalent essential.
• Working towards or qualified in a relevant practical accounting qualification such as Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or part CCAB qualified.

• Highly proficient in use of IT systems, especially Microsoft Excel (advanced level) and Outlook (essential).
• Excellent numerical skills with the ability to manipulate data, complete calculations, build financial models and present financial data using spreadsheets and maintain clear comprehensive audit trail.
• Excellent verbal/written communication in English and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills; capacity to manage and prioritise a high workload and achieve strict deadlines while maintaining a high standard of customer service.
• Demonstrable experience of working to a high standard of accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.
• Adaptable and flexible with the ability to learn new areas of knowledge and skills rapidly.

• Evidence of being able to make independent decisions whilst working as part of a team.
• Willing to progress to a full CCAB Professional accounting qualification.
• Experience in higher education/research support role or similar environment.
• Experience dealing with detailed contractual requirements.
• Experience of budgetary management and working with an ERP system such as SAP.

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.