Balliol College: Bursary (Finance) Assistant

Balliol College, Oxford seeks a full-time, permanent Bursary (Finance) Assistant to provide accurate, timely administrative support across the College's finance activities. Based in the Bursary department at Balliol College, Oxford OX1 3BJ and reporting to the College Accountant, the postholder supports daily, weekly, termly and month-end processes: grants and scholarships administration, weekly cash book maintenance and banking, cash float checks, aged debt review, internal catering charge postings with the Buttery and Conferencing teams, month-end EPOS postings and reconciliations, Battels (student charges) administration, purchase ledger daybook entries, credit card reconciliation and sales invoicing, plus holiday cover across the team. Salary £27,865–£29,314 per annum for 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (9am–5.30pm), with time off in lieu for occasional out-of-hours work and possible flexible/hybrid working after a four-month probation. Essential: previous finance administration experience with regular transactional deadlines, strong Excel and attention to detail, organisational skills, numerical confidence and discretion. Closes 20 September 2026.

• Process and monitor grants and scholarships, including required daily and termly administration
• Maintain the cash book weekly, including expense claims, grants and other payments
• Complete weekly banking and undertake regular cash float checks
• Review aged debt weekly and support related reporting
• Post internal catering charges, working closely with the Buttery and Conferencing teams
• Complete month-end EPOS postings and reconciliations
• Assist with Battels (student charges) posting and administration
• Assist with purchase ledger work, including daybook entries and statements
• Administer credit card transactions and reconciliation
• Raise sales invoices for external bookings
• Provide holiday cover across finance activities, including banking and purchase ledger support
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date financial records in line with established College processes

Essential qualifications include previous experience in a finance administration role with regular transactional deadlines, high attention to detail and accuracy with financial records and Excel proficiency, strong organisational skills to manage daily/weekly/termly/month-end deadlines, numerical confidence, good communication skills, ability to work independently and within a team, and discretion when handling financial information. Desirable experience includes work in a college/university…

• Essential: previous experience in a finance administration role, particularly in a setting with regular transactional deadlines
• Essential: high attention to detail and accuracy with financial records and transactions, including sound knowledge of Excel
• Essential: strong organisational skills to manage daily, weekly, termly and month-end deadlines
• Essential: a reliable and conscientious approach to routine finance administration
• Essential: numerical confidence and ability to check information carefully and identify discrepancies
• Essential: good communication skills and a professional, helpful approach with colleagues and queries
• Essential: ability to work independently while contributing positively to the wider Bursary team
• Essential: discretion and integrity when handling financial and personal information
• Desirable: experience of working in a college, university or similar organisation with a varied finance operation
• Desirable: knowledge of Mercury Academic software (full training can be provided)
• Desirable: experience of banking, purchase ledger, sales ledger, aged debt, credit cards or EPOS-related finance processes
• Desirable: experience of supporting grants or scholarship administration

• Free staff meals
• Oxford University Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS)
• 30 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Interest-free travel ticket loans and discounted travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle leasing scheme (salary sacrifice)
• Free flu jabs and eye tests
• Free onsite gym and University swimming pool
• Free University Club membership
• Learning and personal development
• Free visitor access to colleges, libraries and museums
• Employee discounts
• Subsidised Balliol nursery place
• Time off in lieu for additional hours

Balliol College, Oxford, OX1 3BJ - Bursary department, on a historic site in central Oxford. Primarily on-site; flexible/hybrid working may be possible after probation.

Application materials

• Online application via the Balliol College careers portal (balliol.ox.ac.uk/careers, 'apply now')
• Separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
• Shortlisted candidates: original documentation proving right to work in the UK
• Specific documents (CV/covering letter) not stated in the posting