Main Purpose of the Job

The Assistant Grants Accountant will be responsible for ensuring that all grants assigned to them 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 Assistant Grants Accountant is responsible for organising the day-to-day audit, with assistance from the Grants Accountant.

Key Relationships

This role interacts with staff both internal and external to finance. Within the finance team the Assistant 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. When grants require external audits, the Assistant Grants Accountant will be responsible for providing the information to external auditors.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Grant / Project Accounting
• Set up new awards as budgets on Great Plains finance system
• Ensure income profile on Great Plains is reconciled with Contracts system
• Ensure financial transactions processed in relation to grants are correct
• Ensure capital element of grants are correctly accounted for
• Ensure personnel changes on grants are correctly accounted for
• Prepare cost statements
• Raise invoices directly on sales ledger as appropriate
• Post journals, where appropriate
• Collect data for grant auditors
• Monitor partner expenditure within Collaboration projects
• Obtain and report partner expenditure for collaboration projects led by NBI Institutes

80

Grants Support to Project Leaders
• Liaise with project leaders with questions on specific grants
• Respond to ad-hoc requests for information

10

Financial Reporting and Compliance
• Preparing ad-hoc analysis for financial investigations
• Being point of day-to-day contact for grant auditors
• Assist in preparing appropriate returns for BBSRC and other stakeholders

10

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

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

Essential

Part qualification in a recognised professional accounting qualification or equivalent qualification

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail with an ability to work with high accuracy

Essential

Excellent computer skills, notably in Excel

Essential

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

Essential

Effective written and verbal communication skills

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Recent experience working in a Finance department

Essential

Experience of Great Plains Finance System

Desirable

Recent experience of post award financial management including reporting and liaising with sponsors

Desirable

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

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Has a strong customer orientation with strong interpersonal skills to develop strong and positive working relationships with 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 a positive attitude and behaviours necessary to be an effective member of a team

Essential

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

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

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

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

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

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Assistant Grants Accountant

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for an Assistant 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, Petty Cash, Expense Claims, Budgets and Grant Accounting. They also deal with all Statutory Accounting, VAT and Taxation issues.

The role:

The Assistant Grants Accountant will be responsible for ensuring that all grants assigned to them 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 Assistant Grants Accountant is responsible for organising the day-to-day audit, with assistance from the Grants Accountant.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have 5 GCSEs grades A-C (or equivalent), including Maths & English. An AAT accounting qualification would also be advantageous. They will have excellent computing skills, most notably in excel, and have previous experience of working in a Finance department. Experience of financial accounting of grants in a research or higher education environment and excel skills would be advantageous.

Candidates should have strong customer orientation and interpersonal skills to develop robust working relationships. They should also possess excellent attention to detail.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £30,600 to £33,920 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis.
We welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time working arrangements.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

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 14 October 2026.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.