Allen Lane Interim & Permanent Recruitment

Assistant Financial Accountant Salary: £43,000 £50,500 Contract: Permanent, Full-time (35 hours per week) Working pattern: Hybrid 2 days per week in the office Location: Central London (near Euston Station) About the Organisation This organisation is a specialist higher education institution with a strong global reputation for academic excellence, cultural awareness, and social impact. As part of its central professional services, the Finance function plays a critical role in safeguarding financial integrity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting sound decision-making across the institution. About the Role The Accounting Officer plays a key role in statutory reporting, financial control, and compliance activities. Reporting to a senior finance lead, the postholder will support year-end, audit, tax, and specialist accounting areas, including endowment and fund accounting. This is an excellent opportunity for a part-qualified accountant or finance professional with strong reconciliation and reporting experience, looking to deepen their technical expertise within a complex, regulated organisation. Key Responsibilities Statutory Reporting & Compliance Support year-end financial statements and external audit processes Assist with VAT and Corporation Tax returns Prepare regulatory and statutory returns, including ONS and Companies House submissions Maintain strong financial controls and compliance with accounting standards Endowment, Funds & Income Accounting Complete accounting and reporting for endowment and investment portfolios Calculate and post monthly income, gains/losses, and total return information Administer endowment funds, including set-up, documentation, and reconciliation Produce Gift Aid reclaims in line with charity law Financial Operations & Controls Reconcile payroll suspense accounts and support payroll queries Maintain the fixed asset register and support capital accounting Review new cost centres and ensure compliance Invoice external organisations and manage internal recharges Provide cover for core banking activities when required About You Essential Part-qualified accountant or equivalent relevant experience Strong experience preparing reconciliations and accounting reports Understanding of financial controls and compliance Strong Excel skills and confidence analysing financial data Clear communicator, able to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues Desirable Experience of endowment, fund, or charity accounting Knowledge of Gift Aid, charity law, or SORP requirements Experience in higher education or the not-for-profit sector Familiarity with finance systems such as Agresso (or similar ERPs) Experience working with auditors

My client is a world-renowned organisation at the very heart of London s cultural sector. Entertaining, educating and engaging with visitors from around the world, they are looking to appoint an interim Finance Business Partner to support them through their budgeting cycle. Reporting into the Head of Financial Reporting and Analysis, key responsibilities will include: Act as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to your business area, providing high-quality financial analysis and insight. Oversee financial performance through analysing variances, trends, modelling and scenario planning. Supporting the department to review current working practices and processes, making recommendations with both efficiencies and commerciality in mind. The successful candidate will be a fully qualified Accountant and have a proven track record in finance business partnering and analysis. A good level of Excel and an engaging can-do approach are also essential. Preference for candidates with a Not-for-Profit background. This role has been assessed as inside of IR35. With flexible office working practices, this role would be based in their London office 2 days a week.