We are hiring...
A Finance Assistant to join our team
Finance Assistant
Catalyst is seeking a Finance Assistant to play an important role in our Finance Team. You will support the smooth and accurate delivery of day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, expense processing, transaction processing and finance administration.
Key Information
- Contract- Full- time, fixed-Term 12 months, with opportunity to be extended
- Competitive salary – up to £30k
- Based at the Innovation Centre, Queen’s Road, Belfast (hybrid working arrangement available)
- Reporting to the Project Accountant
Benefits of working at Catalyst
Competitive Benefits Package
Private medical insurance for you and your dependents
Generous pension contribution
Generous life assurance policy
Enhanced parental leave packages
Free open access to company organised events
Free parking onsite
Responsibilities
Project Claims Administration:
- Gather, collate, and organise supporting documentation for project funding claims.
- Prepare draft claims and claim packs for review by the Project Accountant.
- Ensure expenditure is supported by appropriate invoices, timesheets, and funder procurement requirements.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date project records and filing systems.
- Liaise with project teams to obtain required financial and supporting documentation.
- Monitor claim deadlines and assist in ensuring submissions are completed on time.
- Highlight any missing information or discrepancies to the Project Accountant.
Finance Administration:
- Process purchase invoices and assist with routine finance transactions.
- Support supplier statement reconciliations and other account reconciliations as required.
- Assist with maintaining accurate financial records within the accounting system.
- Provide support during month-end processes.
- Respond to routine finance queries from colleagues and suppliers
- Assist the Project Accountant with ad hoc finance tasks and reporting requirements.
- Provide administrative support to the wider finance team when required.
Essential Criteria
- Minimum two years experience in an accounts, finance administration, or project support role.
- Experience of accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, expenses or transaction processing.
- Experience using a finance system or other accounting software, with confidence entering and maintaining financial data.
- Strong numeracy, accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Strong communication and customer-service skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently, follow established procedures and handle confidential financial information appropriately.
Desirable Criteria
- Accounting technician qualification or relevant finance study in progress.
- Experience of working with Sage 50, Microsoft Dynamics or a similar ERP/accounting system.
- Experience in a not-for-profit, grant-funded or multi-project environment.
- Knowledge of following procurement processes and adhering to strong financial governance
- Previous experience working with funded projects
Special Requirements
- Proof of right to work in the UK.
Criteria may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. Exceptional candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered where relevant skills and experience are demonstrated.
More info about Catalyst
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About Catalyst
Catalyst is an independent, non-profit science and technology hub, driving innovation-led growth in Northern Ireland. We help founders, SMEs, researchers and global organisations turn ideas into real-world impact through space, support and collaboration. Every surplus we generate is reinvested into inclusive entrepreneurship, innovation programmes and community impact, building a more competitive, resilient and inclusive economy. Our vision is opportunity for all from world-leading innovation.
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Diversity and Inclusion at Catalyst
Diversity and inclusion aren’t boxes to tick on a CSR list. At Catalyst, they are part of our DNA, lived, breathed, seen, and heard across our community, projects, and co-working spaces. We not only want to foster and empower a culture of innovation, but also an environment where people can be their true, authentic self and thrive, and we are proud to be recognised by the Diversity Charter for achieving silver status, with ambitions to progress to Gold.
As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit based solely on the individual’s ability to perform the role, and that’s allowed us to create an inclusive workplace which celebrates the diversity of our teams and community.
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Working at Catalyst
A certified Great Place to Work® and recognised as one of the top 100 Workplaces in the UK for 2024, receiving awards for Best Place to Work, Best Workplace for Development, Best Workplace for Employee Wellbeing, and Best Place to Work for Women, Catalyst is one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting employers.
With a strong vision of Opportunity for all from world-leading innovation, this is a workplace brimming with ambition to create social, cultural, and economic advantage. We are a force for good, bold in our approach with integrity at our core and passion in everything we do.
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Our Values
INTEGRITY
We approach everything with a straightforward, open and honest attitude. Every new challenge requires a brave, smart, and flexible way of thinking and we put integrity at the heart of every decision. Our strong moral code intuitively understands what doing the right thing means in every situation.
PASSION
We love what we do. We are committed to our members and partners, ready to go above and beyond for the future we are building together. This is the ‘Catalyst Way’. We sharpen our senses, take calculated risks together and work hard for a brighter future.
BE BOLD
Be ambitious and dare to be different. We are the catalyst that connects entrepreneurs and businesses to an eco-system and community that transforms ideas and innovation into real-world reality with global impact.
Have a question?
Contact Joe at joe.finnegan@wearecatalyst.org
Joe Finnegan
HR Officer
