We are seeking to appoint a Financial Accountant. This is a hands-on role, and we are looking for someone with relevant qualifications and/or experience which will help them to understand and become proficient at the key tasks quickly. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong accounting, Excel and interpersonal skills. This is an exciting opportunity for the selected candidate to learn and develop within the role whilst adding value to a not-for-profit organisation.
The Institute for Employment Studies (IES)
The Institute for Employment Studies is an independent, apolitical, centre of research and consultancy in public employment policy and human resources. It undertakes research projects varying in both size and length (typically ranging from 3 months to 3 years) covering all employment related topics.
We are not-for-profit and a registered charity, with a mission to bring about sustainable improvements in employment policy and human resource management. We achieve this by increasing the understanding and improving the practice of key decision-makers in policy bodies and employing organisations.
We work closely with a large range of bodies including government departments, public sector organisations, employers, agencies, and professional and employee bodies. The Institute is based in Brighton with circa 50 multidisciplinary staff and a turnover in the region of £4 million annually.
Job Description
This is an important role based in a finance team which is part of a Support Services function that covers office management, information technology, finance, as well as human resources and communications.
This is an interesting and broad role with a primary focus on finance. A key objective is to keep the accounting system and project accounting system up to date and accurate and you will play an important part in maintaining strong financial controls and helping staff across the organisation with finance matters.
You will be working in a team with the Director of Finance and Resources. Our most recent accounts are found here.
The role is full-time (35 hours per week).
Key responsibilities include:
- Purchase ledger duties including processing and payment of supplier invoices and expenses
- Sales ledger duties including invoice preparation
- Banking and credit control
- The update and maintenance of the project accounting system
- Monthly Balance Sheet review and reconciliation
- Prepare accurate and timely management accounts
- Prepare payroll (in conjunction with external payroll bureau)
- Staff utilisation reporting and the collection and review of monthly timesheets
- Assist with cashflow forecasting
- Prepare quarterly VAT returns
- Advising staff on financial procedures
- Assist in preparation of audit papers and support for annual audit process
- Undertake reasonable additional tasks as required.
Person Specification
Job-related knowledge, skills and abilities
The successful candidate will have:
- Strong Excel and data skills
- Good understanding of the structure of financial systems, and the practices and controls surrounding them
- Ability to communicate financial information to non-finance staff and senior managers
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deal with a varied workload, and work accurately under pressure and within prescribed deadlines
- Ability to work in detail, coupled with ability to see the wider picture
- Ability to work independently.
Experience
The successful candidate will have:
- Experience in accounting, preparation of management accounts and statutory reporting and ideally in charity accounting and project accounting
- Use of Xero and Workflow Max would also be beneficial.
Qualifications
An accountancy qualification would be beneficial but part-qualified candidates can also be considered with suitable experience.
Working at IES
We support flexible working and will consider applications from candidates seeking to work flexibly (35 hours per week). The post will be based in our office in central Brighton, UK, although we work in a hybrid way.
Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 (full time equivalent) depending on skills and experience.
To view our full range of benefits, please see IES Benefits.
IES offers a friendly workplace culture. Our research and practice are guided by our values, and our staff act in accordance with these. Our values centre on: respecting others, acting with integrity, collaboration, curiosity, excellence and compassion. You can learn more about what it’s like to work at IES by looking at our Glassdoor profile.
The Institute for Employment Studies is a registered charity (no. 258390). IES seeks to be an equal opportunities employer.
How to apply
Candidates should submit a full CV with a covering letter explaining their interest in the post and highlighting how they meet the criteria.
Please apply via SafeHR.
Please also complete the IES Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.
Closing date for applications: Friday 04 September 2026
If you would like an informal discussion about the role before you apply, please contact [email protected].
Because of the nature of our work, appointments will be subject to a report from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or Disclosure Scotland.