Job Description

British Geological Survey

Finance Accountant
Grade: UKRI - Band D
Salary: £37,841 per annum
Contract Type: 1 year fixed term
Hours: Full time – 37 hours a week is preferred (Part-time will be considered for a minimum of 30 hours p/w and a small amount of remote working is possible, but this role does require regular onsite attendance)
Location: BGS Keyworth, Nottingham
Closing date: 7th April 2026
Interview date: 24th April 2026

A great benefits package is offered! including an outstanding pension scheme (with an generous employer contribution – on average 27% of your pay), 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays!

About the role

The post holder will work closely with the finance team, primarily using information from Oracle Fusion and other corporate systems. The role also involves liaising with the wider BGS workforce, external customers, funding bodies and suppliers when required.

They will provide support and guidance on complex accounting matters, exercising sound judgement in reconciling control accounts, reviewing revenue generation and analysing income, referring issues to management where appropriate.

The role requires some independent decision making, particularly around accruals, revenue analysis, form completion and resolving complex issues. However, much of the work will involve following established BGS, NERC and UKRI processes and procedures. The post holder will apply their accounting knowledge to ensure transactions are processed appropriately.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Month end accruals and other journals.
• VAT advice.
• Preparing non-invoice and pre-payment cases.
• Reviewing revenue generation / IFRS15 decisions.
• Preparing and reviewing monthly expenditure data and reporting.
• Processing of the employee allowances.
• Monitoring of the BGS Finance email inbox and appropriately dealing with queries and issues and assisting with the implementation of the new finance ticketing system.
• Assisting with maintaining the minor repayment system, with support from the other Finance Officers
• Work closely with the Financial Accounts team, having a good knowledge of all roles in the section and being able to provide support, cover and supervision in the absence of the Senior Financial Accountant
• Supporting the BGS Finance Management Team, with ad-hoc exercises
  

About you

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated individual to make an immediate contribution to the finance team and the wider organisation.

Working flexibly within a small team, you must demonstrate excellent communication skills as part of the role will require you to be able to explain and present financial information in an understandable way to non-finance professionals.

The following specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post will be assessed at shortlist (S) stage, interview (I) stage, or both (S&I).

Essential

• Part Qualified Accountant (CCAB or CIMA) or AAT Qualified or Substantial relevant finance experience (S)
• Very good working knowledge of basic financial accounting functions, such as accruals, prepayments, debits, credits, journals etc as well as control accounts (S & I)
• Good experience of working at a high level in a complex financial environment, with a computerised finance system including production of reports and exporting to Excel / Word and using Microsoft Excel to at least intermediate level, including lookups, pivots etc (S & I)
• Proven ability to prioritise work and meet tight deadlines & adapt to changing priorities, by using problem solving and attention to detail skills (S & I)
• Must be able to build good working relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation, whilst displaying enthusiasm for the role and continuing any professional development (S & I)
• You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I)
  

Desirable

• Experience of not for profit and/ or science research organisations (S)
• Knowledge of relevant accounting standards and principles (S & I)
• Knowledge of VAT legislation and application (S & I)

• Knowledge of Oracle Fusion reporting systems (S)

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.