Progress your finance career with hands-on experience across a full finance function while studying towards a fully funded professional accounting qualification.

We are looking for an Assistant Financial Accountant to play a key role in supporting Purposeful Ventures’ day-to-day financial operations. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone early in their finance career who wants to build a strong foundation in accounting, whilst studying towards a professional qualification, in a supportive and purpose-driven environment. You’ll gain hands-on experience across the finance function, and Purposeful Ventures will support you to gain a Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship, covering the cost of your professional study. This will allow you to complete on-the-job training, and be part of a vibrant finance team, whilst gaining your Level 4 AAT, ACCA or CIMA Diploma.

You will be at the heart of the organisation’s financial operations, gaining exposure to a wide range of finance processes including purchase ledgers, expenses, payments to banking, month-end processes and finance systems. You will also be able to support in the production of management accounts and provide information for the annual audit, helping give you a strong foundation in core finance processes

This is a role for someone who likes working with numbers and loves getting into the detail. You’ll be trusted with responsibility from day one, but you’ll also have the support and guidance you need to propel your finance career forward. You will have had some exposure to a finance function, but are now looking for a role where you can grow and be supported to gain a formal accounting qualification.

Please download the full job description on the Purposeful Ventures website

Responsibilities and duties

Purchase Ledger and expenses

• Maintain the Purchase Ledger to process, code and enter invoices for payment in line with agreed terms.

• Process all expense claims, ensuring that all the necessary supporting documents are authorised by the relevant manager.

• Oversee and initiate automated payment runs, including purchase ledger payments, examiner payments and staff expenses, ensuring all pre-payment checks and authorisations are correctly captured within the system.

• Set up new suppliers and update bank details for existing suppliers.

• Resolve supplier and internal staff finance-related queries in a timely manner.

• Own the organisation’s credit card and pre-paid card process to update users, allocate funds, code payments and reconcile receipts.

• Ensure receipts are submitted within agreed timelines by encouraging the wider employee base to submit these on time.

Month end and year end

• Assist with bank reconciliations and posting daily bank transactions.

• Post journals for accruals, prepayments and other financial adjustments as directed by the Finance Manager.

• Support the preparation of monthly management accounts.

• Assist the Finance Manager with audit preparation.

Other

• Assist in managing financial administration procedures and contribute suggestions to improve efficiency and processes.

• Set up new users on multiple internal systems.

• Ensure internal systems are being used and are beneficial to staff by supporting them with queries on their use.

The job description is subject to change and the postholder may be required to undertake tasks not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the job description.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who is ready to take the next step in their finance career and develop through a Level 4 Diploma. You’ll be eligible to enrol by having a minimum of either five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Level qualifications or a Level 3 apprenticeship, and will be motivated to deepen your technical knowledge while gaining practical, hands-on experience.

You’ll already have some exposure to core finance responsibilities such as processing invoices, supporting expense claims, assisting with reconciliations and working with financial systems. You understand the importance of accuracy and take pride in your attention to detail and time management.

We are also looking for someone who is methodical, proactive and curious. You’re comfortable using systems and technology and are comfortable with driving improvements in both finance processes and your own skills. Most importantly, you’ll be someone who is motivated to learn and sees this role as an opportunity to develop your technical finance knowledge alongside your apprenticeship and to build a strong foundation for a long-term career in finance.

Key requirements

Essential:

• Passionate about creating a fairer society where all young people thrive.

• Demonstrable track record of taking ownership of commitments and working hard to succeed.

• Some experience within a finance function, ideally within a fast-paced, growing organisation.

• Exposure to purchase ledger, expenses, payments and banking processes.

• Comfortable working with multiple finance systems with the ability to learn new tools.

• Commitment to implementing and improving systems and processes.

• Good organisational and time management skills.

• A confident communicator with the ability to work with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

• Strong attention to detail with a keenness for high levels of accuracy.

• A growth mindset who seeks opportunities to learn.

• Proactive by nature with a solution-focused approach.

• Reliable, punctual and able to work to deadlines.

• A-Level qualifications or a previously completed Level 3 Apprenticeship.

• Right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with systems such as ApprovalMax, Toggl and Equals money and Xero.

• A confident user of Microsoft Excel.