Project Accountant (Reporting and Compliance)

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental research institute in the UK is seeking a skilled Project Accountant to join its Finance team. In this role, you will manage post-award monitoring and lead financial project reviews for UKRI-funded research projects. The ideal candidate will have accountancy training or qualification, experience with UKRI grant management, and strong Excel skills. This position offers flexible working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package, supporting an inclusive and equitable workplace.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Dental insurance

Gym/fitness discounts

Retail discount portal

Qualifications

• Experience with JeS or Joint Funding Service is preferred.
• Proven experience in external funder reporting and audit processes is required.
• Strong organizational skills and workload management.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and deliver financial project reviews.
• Collaborate on tailored reporting templates.
• Guide colleagues through complex financial reporting.

Skills

Accountancy training or qualification

Experience with UKRI post-award grant management

Strong financial systems experience

Excellent Excel skills

Education

Trainee, part or fully qualified accountant

Tools

Workday

Job description

A 1‑year fixed‑term opportunity has arisen for a Project Accountant to join our Finance team at UKCEH. In this role, you’ll play a key part in post award monitoring and submission of final expenditure statements for our UKRI‑funded research projects- supporting vital work that addresses some of the biggest environmental challenges of our time.Reporting to our Head of Project Accounting, you’ll take the lead on implementing finance project reviews with our project managers. This is a key role at the heart of UKCEH’s research funding ecosystem - one that ensures our world‑leading science is delivered with integrity, accountability and financial excellence. Working closely with project managers, project accountants and research funders, you’ll act as a trusted expert who guides colleagues through complex reporting requirements and drives continual improvement in our financial project management processes.Your main responsibilities will include: Schedule and deliver financial project reviews using existing tools, working closely with senior Project Accountants. Collaborate with Project Accountants to create clear, tailored reporting templates for a variety of funders. and values‑driven finance team, where your contributions genuinely matter. This role offers the chance to build strong relationships across the organisation, working closely with colleagues from diverse To thrive in this role, you’ll bring a truly collaborative approach: someone who supports colleagues, delegates effectively and works confidently as part of a team. You’ll be skilled at partnering with non‑finance colleagues, translating financial information clearly and building trust with academic scientists and project teams. Alongside this, your strong organisational skills and ability to manage your workload independently will enable you to plan, prioritise and deliver high‑quality work in a dynamic, purpose‑driven environment.For the role of Project Accountant we’re looking for somebody who has:Accountancy training or qualification - trainee, part or fully qualified (we’llnon-qualification based relevant experience) also consider alternative professional qualifications or Experience with UKRI post‑award grant management, including familiarity with JeS or the Joint Funding ServiceProven experience in external funder reporting and audit processes Strong financial systems experience (Workday desirable) and excellent Excel skills We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant) Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal Please answer the following questions below, providing up to 150 words per question. Use specific examples from your experience and focus on your personal contribution and impact (Please do not submit a cover letter - your responses to the questions below will be used in place of a cover letter)Outline your experience of UKRI grant post award reporting e.g. use of JeS/ joint funding service and submission of Final Expenditure Statements.- What interests you about this role and working for UKCEH (we are keen to understand your motivation for applying to UKCEH).At UKCEH, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone has the opportunity towe’re happy to provide adjustments or support at any stage of the recruitment process - just let us know. If you’redoesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we’d love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team. thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and circumstances. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and people with disabilities, and excited about this role but your experience