Main Purpose of the Job

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Grants Accountant to join their busy Finance department.

The Grants Accountant will be responsible for leading the grant reporting team. They will work with the team to ensure that all grants are reported in line with sponsors expectations, along with making sure invoices are raised for funds.

Key Relationships

This role interacts with staff both internal and external to finance. Within the finance team the Grants Accountant is responsible for keeping the team up to date with changes in sponsor grant requirements. The individual will also interact with other NBI departments (as required) and will liaise with Group Leaders on specific grant queries.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

1. Grant / Project Accounting

• Liaise with Institute Group Leaders, Contracts department, and HR department to ensure the financial income profile and HR profile of grant awards and proposals in the pipeline are well understood.
• Liaise with Group Leaders and the Contracts department to ensure new grant awards are set up on the financial systems with budgets that are easily understood
• Ensure all aspects of grant accounting are performed accurately and on time
• Provide cost statements and other financial documentation required by sponsors and other stakeholders
• Assist in the development of computer systems

30

2. Leading the Grants Accounting Team

• Provide day to day guidance and support for the team
• Regularly review deadlines and workloads, assisting with priorities as necessary
• Set direction and appraise performance
• Supervise professional training and development

30

3. Maintaining the Ledgers

• Ensure sales invoices are raised as appropriate for specific grants
• Ensure the monthly income recognised for each grant in each institute is accurate
• Maintain time recording systems

20

4. Grants Support for Group Leaders

• Liaise with Group Leaders with questions on specific grants
• Respond to ad-hoc requests for information

10

5. Financial Reporting and Compliance

• Preparing ad-hoc analysis of financial investigations
• Preparation of balance sheet reconciliations
• Being point of day-to-day contact for grant auditors
• Assist in preparing appropriate returns for BBSRC and other stakeholders

5

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

5 GCSEs (or equivalent) A-C grade, including Maths and English

Essential

AAT qualification (or equivalent)

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Strong numeric analytical skills, with the ability to interrogate and interpret complex financial data

Essential

Clear logical approach to problem solving

Essential

Computer literate in Microsoft Office programmes such as Word and Excel

Essential

The ability to work with precision and accuracy within deadlines

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Previous experience working in an accounts role

Essential

Recent experience of financial management of grants in a research organisation or University

Desirable

Experience managing a team, setting work priorities and work flow as well as motivating and developing staff effectively

Desirable

Experience of post award financial management including reporting and liaising with sponsors.

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Has a strong customer orientation with effective interpersonal skills and proven ability to develop effective and positive working relationships with both internal customers and team members

Essential

Adaptability within the role, responding to change and the requirement to work across all institutes with positivity

Essential

Demonstrates positive attitude and behaviours necessary to be an effective member of a team.

Essential

Willingness and flexibility to help out members of own team and in wider department.

Essential

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK as we do not hold a Sponsorship Licence

Essential

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willing to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Partnership

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

Finance

Group Details

This role is within the Finance team in NBIP, the finance team consists of approximately 25 individuals, providing all finance services to the 4 institutes.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Grants Accountant

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Grants Accountant to join their busy Finance department.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. 

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team.  In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The Finance Team is responsible for dealing with all Finance matters for the main organisations on site and other subsidiary companies. Financial services provided include Management Accounts, Supplier and Customer invoices, Expense Claims, Budgets and Grant Accounting. They also deal with all Statutory Accounting, VAT and Taxation issues.

The role:

The Grants Accountant will be responsible for leading the grant reporting team.  They will work with the team to ensure that all grants are reported in line with sponsors expectations, along with making sure invoices are raised for funds.  The individual is expected to keep up to date with changes in sponsor requirements and engage with other members of the finance team regarding the implications of any changes. Where grants require external audits, the Grants Accountant is responsible for overseeing this work.

Where appropriate they may work with other NBI departments, such as HR and Computing to resolve grants issues or update systems for changes. The role will work closely with the Contracts department, understanding the grants that are starting and finishing.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have 5 GSCEs grades A-C (or equivalent), including Maths & English and an AAT accounting qualification would be advantageous. The post holder will be confident using Microsoft Office programmes such as Word and Excel, and have strong numeric analytical skills, with the ability to interrogate and interpret complex financial data.

The successful candidate will have previous experience of working in an accounts role and prior experience of managing a team is desirable.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £33,050 to £40,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis.

Interviews will be held 17th February 2023.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK as we do not hold a Sponsorship Licence.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 6 February 2023.