Finance Sandwich Student - Placement

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of Europe's largest research organisations. We're trusted to support, enable and undertake pioneering projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we're driving ground-breaking advances in science, technology and Engineering.

STFC is one of nine organisations that have been brought together to create UK Research and Innovation (UKRI); a new organisation with a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Each year we offer opportunities to undergraduate sandwich students to gain practical experience, working alongside technical experts at the forefront of scientific research. We offer an invaluable experience with exposure to world class science and technology, and the opportunity to develop working relationships that continue well after your placement has finished.

The STFC Finance Directorate seeks to recruit two Sandwich Student based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) Oxfordshire. One post will have a main focus in the Capital Management (Fixed Assets) Team. Both posts will also receive all-round experience within a Finance Department should the opportunities arise, as well as visiting other UK based STFC sites. This appointment will be for a 12 month duration.

List of Duties/Responsibilities

Main activities to be undertaken during the year as part of the rotation around the STFC Finance Directorate:

Strategic Planning & Financial Management

• assist with Strategic Planning and reporting
• cost centre and project budget setup
• project maintenance, monitoring of income and expenditure and forecasting
• creation of project reports
• assist the Business and Innovation team in the production of monthly Proof of Concept and Business Incubator Reports
• revenue analysis
• Research Council, Service Level Agreement (SLA) management and grant administration.

Financial Accounting

• creation and posting of Project and General Ledger Journals
• creation of Sales Invoices
• processing of travel claims
• account code reconciliation.

Asset Management and Recording

• carry out physical verification of assets, and disposal of assets
• review capital project expenditure for non-capital costs
• reconcile the Oracle Project Accounting module entries on capital projects with Oracle General Ledger entries.

Governance & Audit

• support to the Governance team on the internal audit programme.

Administrative support

• archiving
• any other activities suitable for the role and experience.

Shortlisting (S) and Interview (I) Criteria

Following training, you are expected to be self-motivated, follow policy, meet deadlines and work diligently through the workload assigned to you.

Qualifications

Essential:

• at university, enrolled on an undergraduate degree course and required or have requested to take a year out of studies to gain experience within industry (S)
• the right to live and work in the UK (S)
• students should be undertaking an Accountancy, Business, Economics (or similar) Degree (S).

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential:

• knowledge of MS Word and Excel (S&I)
• experience of working within a team environment (I)
• experience of working to deadlines (I)

Desirable:

• work experience in an office or similar environment (S&I)
• knowledge or experience in using a Finance system (e.g. Oracle) (S&I)

Personal Skills, Qualities and Attributes

Essential:

• good communication skills (I)
• good written communication and presentation skills (I)
• demonstrate good team working capabilities (I)
• the willingness to learn new skills, both technical and non-technical (I)
• open minded and flexible in relation to the type of work assigned to them (I).

Organization Description

UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at .

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation, and our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people - and more broadly to the world.

Interview Date: 27th - 29th November 2018