Finance Operations Associate

Department for Education

Finance Operations Associate assisting in the finance operations engine at ARIA funding technological advancements. Manage supplier management and invoice processing with attention to detail.

Posted 7/8/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomJuniorMid-Level💰 £36,750 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Keep ARIA’s finance engine moving: You’ll assist in the day to day running of our procure-to-pay processes, helping make sure suppliers are onboarded, invoices are processed, approvals move smoothly, and payments happen accurately and on time. You aren’t just processing transactions - you’re helping ensure that the scientists, engineers, programme teams and partners we work with can focus on ambitious R&D, knowing the finance operations behind them are thoughtful, reliable and well run.
Be a trusted first point of contact for finance operations: You’ll help manage the finance inbox and reply to queries from colleagues, suppliers and partners with clarity, care and pace. You’ll act as an ambassador for the Finance team, making sure every interaction is helpful, human and well owned - whether you’re resolving a supplier question, helping a colleague learn new processes, or spotting where a recurring query points to something we could improve.
Build the knowledge and systems that help us scale: Working closely with the Finance Operations Manager, you’ll help refine and professionalise our internal finance knowledge base, guidance, templates and process notes. You’ll make sure our ways of working are easy to comprehend, consistently applied and high quality - turning repeat questions or manual workarounds into clear, useful resources that help the whole organisation move faster and with more confidence.
Improve how finance work gets done: You’ll support process improvement projects across finance operations, from implementing new tools and apps to using AI and automation to reduce manual work. You’ll work closely with the Finance Operations Manager, Head of Finance Operations, and wider Operations team to identify friction, test better ways of doing things, and help build simple, scalable solutions that balance ARIA’s start up energy with the duty and transparency expected of a publicly funded organisation.

Requirements

What you’ll need

High Autonomy: We don’t micromanage; we trust you to take full accountability, proactively identifying bottlenecks and helping build solutions before problems escalate.
Agile & Adaptable: You thrive in environments where the "right way" isn’t always written down.
Detail Obsessed: You understand that in a high stakes agency, small details and error free numbers build the credibility needed to succeed.
Organised and responsive: You can manage a busy inbox or task list, prioritise sensibly, keep people updated and follow work through to completion.
Systems confident and curious: You pick up new tools quickly and are comfortable using systems, spreadsheets and structured data to organise, track and improve work.
Good judgement and integrity: You understand that finance work involves confidential information, public money and important controls. You are thoughtful about when to move quickly and when to escalate.
Collaborative and low ego: You enjoy working with others, are happy to get stuck into the basics and value brilliance without pretension.
This is an entry level role, although some work experience - through a job, internship - in a fast-paced, start-up/scale-up environment is preferable.
You do not need to be a technical expert, but you are interested in how AI, automation and better workflows can remove friction from repetitive tasks while maintaining good controls.
Exposure to procure-to-pay, accounts payable, supplier management, expenses, procurement, invoicing or finance systems.
Confidence with Excel or Google Sheets, including basic formulas, data checks or organising information clearly.
An interest in science, technology, R&D, public purpose organisations or ARIA's mission.
Interest in building towards a finance qualification over time, although this is not required for the role.

Benefits

Comp & perks

27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
Enhanced family leave arrangements
A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
Life Assurance
2 days of paid volunteer days
5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
Cycle to Work scheme
An excellent office location in Kings X, London

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

ProcurementInvoicingAccounts PayableData ChecksStructured Data Management

Soft Skills

Detail ObsessedOrganised and ResponsiveCollaborative and Low EgoGood Judgement and IntegrityAgile and Adaptable