Internal Redeployment Only - Finance Assistant en Cardiff University

Please note that this job is open only to current Cardiff University staff who are eligible for redeployment.

Internal Redeployment Only - Finance Assistant
School of Psychology

The School of Psychology is looking for a Finance Assistant to provide a professional finance administrative service to the School by completing a range of routine tasks to meet operational and customer service requirements. The successful applicant will be providing support and guidance on financial procedures and regulations, ensuring the School Finance team is supported and key duties are undertaken. The post will suit someone who is adaptable, motivated and enjoys the challenge of dealing with a variety of finance tasks. 

This is an exciting time to be joining Cardiff University in a finance role as we are transforming how and where we provide our Finance Services. This includes the creation of a Finance Services Unit which will bring together all operational Finance services across the University into one Unit.

This post incorporates operational Finance work and therefore the location and reporting arrangements are likely to be subject to change once we have established the Finance Services Unit.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), is fixed term for 6 months from start date, available immediately and is based in Tower Building, situated in the Cathays Campus.

Salary: £25,249 - £26,093 per annum (Grade 3).  Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at the bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 40 days annual leave pro-rata (incl. bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It's an exciting and vibrant place to work with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter. Business needs will require some degree of office-based working, but the balance of time can be spent in the office or remotely (subject to agreement with the line manager).

Closing date: Wednesday, 17 September 2025

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangement.

JOB PURPOSE

To provide a professional finance administrative service to the School by completing a range of routine tasks to meet operational and customer service requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Duties

• Deal with a range of enquires from internal (staff & students) and external (members of the public) customers in a professional manner, establishing their needs and adapting the standard responses accordingly.
• Work with others to make recommendations for the development and improvement of current University processes and procedures
• Create good working relationships with key contacts to help improve service levels
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the team and department
• Gather and review data to update administrative systems such as databases and spreadsheets, making sure the information is accurate, and highlighting to your line manager basic trends and patterns.
• Actively contribute to the success of the team and support the supervision and management of it

Specific Duties

• To act as first point of contact for financial enquiries in the School Finance team, dealing with a range of enquiries from internal and external customers in a professional and timely manner, establishing their requirements and adapting the standard response accordingly.
• To work closely with the Finance team by providing cover for colleagues, contribute to team and/or external finance related meetings, identifying new ways of working that improve the service and share best practice. 
• Develop and maintain a detailed and up-to-date knowledge of the Financial Regulations and Procedures, Including School guidance on student expense claims. operate all procedures effectively ensuring appropriate compliance and report any discrepancies to the Finance Officer/Manager.
• Raise sales invoices to external stakeholders and liaise with the Finance Division
• Carry out a range of reconciliations, such as supplier statements, open orders and Invoice on holds.
• Develop, evaluate and maintain databases, spreadsheets and electronic and other data filing systems, as required.
• Carry out fund checks on research grants and school accounts, as required.
• Process catering and taxi requirements through the online booking systems
• Assist with courier arrangements, both nationally and internationally.

General Duties

• Abide by all University policies and undergo appropriate personal and professional development
• Perform other duties which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.
• Uphold the Professional Services Values & Behaviours or local equivalent

26,093

Grade 3

25,249

Admin / Clerical

HOW WE WILL SUPPORT YOU IN PERFORMING THIS ROLE

We want to support and develop you in the role, using a combination of the following to help you reach your full potential.

1. Regular one-to-one meetings with your team leader
2. An experienced and supportive team around you
3. A staff mentoring scheme
4. Support to learn Welsh or to update language skills

Administrative Support

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We want to employ people with a wide variety of experiences. We welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We are particularly seeking applications from candidates who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented at the University, including people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

We are looking for a team player who will work with colleagues to provide a great service to staff and students.

This role may be an opportunity for you to build on your experience from working in a previous administrative role or environment, showing your transferable skills and potential to be successful in the role. You should be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge and skills to become a valued member of the team.

Your application will be assessed against the following essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please copy and paste this section into a new document and give clear examples of how you can evidence meeting each criteria by writing under each one. You can draw on elements from any aspect of your life (e.g. work, home, education/qualifications or community life) as long as you focus on their relevance to the role.

Please save your supporting statement in a separate document with the title [YOURNAME-BR NUMBER-JOB TITLE] and attach it to your application in the recruitment system, available here.

Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).

Essential Criteria

1. Ability to carry out a variety of administrative tasks, including writing clearly and concisely.
2. Experience of working in a finance or administrative office environment
3. Experience of using common office IT packages (e.g. MS Office, e-mail etc.).
4. Ability to set up and maintain standard administrative systems and procedures, including using University systems to collate and record data online and in hard copy. (Training will be provided where required).
5. Ability to communicate with a wide range of people effectively and courteously whilst maintaining professional standards, adapting your language and style of communication depending on who you are communicating with.
6. Ability to work well with your team, knowing how to give advice, guidance and feedback (to colleagues and members of the public) as appropriate. 
7. Ability to deal with requests for information or service, resolving customer issues where appropriate, or being able to escalate where necessary.
8. Ability to plan and organise your own workload within agreed timelines as set by your Line Manager.
9. Ability to use initiative in solving problems and responding to queries ensuring compliance with standard procedures and practices

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience of working in a Higher Education environment.
2. Ability to speak/understand Welsh or a willingness to learn.