Finance Officer vacancy

This page has information on: 

• Quick overview of the Finance Officer role
• What it’s like to work in the Finance team at Seafish
• Job role, responsibilities and relationships
• Knowledge, skills and experience required
• Salary and benefits
• Application process

Quick overview of the role

• Job status: This is a permanent role.
• Location: Homebased (UK) or office-based in one of our offices in Edinburgh or Grimsby 
• Salary: The starting salary for this role is £23,492 

What it’s like to work in Finance at Seafish 

About Seafish 

Seafish is here to give the UK seafood sector the support it needs to thrive. Our work makes a huge difference. We collaborate with a wide range of partners – from seafood businesses and trade bodies to government, regulators and environmental organisations – and we engage in everything from research to campaigns, insight and training. 

About the Finance and Levy Team 

Working in our Finance team, you'll be a key player in maintaining the organisation's financial well-being, taking responsibility for aspects of expenditure including recording of invoices, managing the purchase ledger, preparing payments, recognising prepayments and accruals and maintaining the fixed asset register. The dynamic and flexible nature of the work means you'll collaborate with talented professionals, contributing to the smooth operation of financial processes.  

How we work 

At Seafish we have a trust and performance culture. Performance driven results mean having autonomy and accountability in equal parts, so you can work in the way that’s most effective for you, as long as you deliver your work to the expected standards. You’ll have a personal development plan that outlines the objectives and competencies for your role and learning and development goals. You’ll have regular catch-ups with your line manager, along with mid-year and end of year reviews to discuss your work and performance.   

Job role, responsibilities and relationships 

Job Purpose: 

As Finance Officer, you will proactively support the financial operations of Seafish by maintaining accurate financial records, managing the purchase ledger, ensuring compliance with financial policies and supporting the reporting and audit processes. This includes processing invoices, recognising prepayments, preparing payments to suppliers, accruing expenditure and processing employee expenses, working collaboratively with colleagues and external providers to achieve financial objectives.  

The main dimensions of the role are: 

The finance officer acts as first point of contact for external providers, whilst managing all aspects of expenditure including the purchase ledger, accruals and prepayments. The finance offer is responsible for processing and paying all Seafish purchase invoices and expense claims circa £6m.   

Key accountabilities will be: 

• Maintain and reconcile the purchase ledger, ensuring accurate and timely recording of invoices and expenses using Access Financials
• Prepare payment batches to ensure suppliers are paid on a weekly basis including employee expenses 
• Prepare monthly accruals and prepayments schedules and journals to ensure the accounts accurately reflect expenditure
• Manage and maintain the fixed asset register, ensuring assets are recorded, depreciated and accounted for in line with financial reporting standards
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, procedures and relevant regulations 
• Responsibility for the management of the shared accounts mailbox, ensuring all emails are addressed promptly
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies or queries
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, suppliers, and budget holders
• Provide guidance and support staff in their use of the finance system and administration of financial processes 

Additional responsibilities will be: 

• Support month-end and year-end reconciliations and financial reporting tasks as required 
• Ensure month end journals for accruals and prepayments are entered before the month end close
• Ensure all relevant procurement guidelines and finance processes are followed
• Prepare departmental reporting as required
• Undertake ad hoc tasks as required by the Financial Controller
• Handling sensitive information regularly as part of the post
• Independent working, with the ability to apply existing guidelines to new situations, supported by management 

Essential working relationships will include: 

• Act as first point of contact for the finance team, advising and liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, suppliers, and budget holders, to resolve financial queries efficiently through both written and verbal communication
• Reporting to the Financial controller through regular communication and weekly one-to-one meetings. 

Knowledge, skills and experience required 

Essential Skills & Experience 

• Previous experience in an accounts assistant or similar finance role
• Understanding of accruals, prepayments and fixed asset accounting
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and financial record keeping
• Good communication and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Previous experience of working with a computerised accounting system 

Desirable skills & Qualifications 

• AAT, ACCA Foundation level or CIMA qualifications (or working towards one), or equivalent experience
• Experience working within a public sector or non-profit organisation
• Proficiency in Access financials or similar accounting software
• Knowledge of public sector financial regulations or best practice 

Every role is Seafish is linked to our bespoke competency framework. The competency levels for this role are: 

• Growing Expertise – Maintains personal development
• Embracing Change – Responds positively to change
• Building Relationships – Works well with others and responds effectively to requests for help
• Achieving Results – Overcomes challenging circumstances to achieve high-quality results
• Influencing with Impact – Listens and clearly presents information 

Salary and benefits 

All roles within Seafish are graded and have defined salary bands. This role is a grade 2 post, and the starting salary is at £23,492. A new member’s appointment on the pay spine is dependent on the experience they bring to the role when they start. New candidates normally start at the lower end of the range unless they can demonstrate considerable experience in the requirements of the role. 

Additional benefits include: 

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and wellbeing break when the organisation closes between Christmas and New Year (3 additional days). 
• Optional five days per year paid volunteering leave for an activity of your choice.
• Trust and Performance culture – you work in a way that suits you to get your work done to the expected standard.
• A generous employer pension scheme – we'll double your contribution up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%.
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits including the Cycle to Work scheme, private medical insurance, gym discounts and eye care.
• Our unlimited employee assistance scheme is a support service available 24/7 – it offers confidential, impartial advice on anything you need such as work, family, finance support or anything else personal to you. 
• A professional development culture with plenty of learning opportunities.
• Rewards for high performance each year. 

Application process

To apply for the post, you should email your application to recruitment@seafish.co.uk. Please include “Finance Officer” in the subject line of your email.  

Your application should include: 

• A covering letter or a short video explaining why you are a suitable candidate.
• A recent copy of your CV so we can find out more about your skills and experience.  
• A completed copy of our recruitment consent form.