About Business Disability Forum

Business Disability Forum is the leading business membership organisation in disability inclusion. We are trusted partners, working with business, Government, and disabled people to improve the life experiences of disabled employees and consumers, by removing barriers to inclusion.

We work with circa 600 Members and Partners employing over 5 million people in the UK, and a further 16 million people worldwide. We advise, support, and encourage businesses (many of them global) to become more disability smart. We influence policymakers, informed by the experiences of business and disabled people – as employees and consumers. We provide evidence-based thought leadership on how business affects the lives of disabled people. We help effect changes in business practices, products, services, and policies that positively impact the life experiences of disabled people and also benefit business.

Our Values

- Purposeful: We are focused on removing barriers to disability inclusion.
- Evidence-based: We are informed and driven by unique insights from our membership.
- Respectful: We are supportive and approachable.
- Pragmatic: We find practical solutions that business and Government can implement.
- Responsive: We are constantly evolving to meet our Members’ and Partners’ needs.
- Bold: We are thought leaders who are not afraid to challenge.

Job Purpose

Business Disability Forum has recently restructured its corporate services function. The Finance Assistant role will be a key support position in the newly formed Resources Directorate. This role will work closely with and report to the Finance Manager, assisting with day-to-day transactional accounting and financial operations.

In addition, the Finance Assistant will support efforts to optimise our ways of working by maintaining day-to-day financial controls, adopting automated processes, and ensuring data accuracy across our core systems.

Key Areas of Responsibility

- Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable Ledger Maintenance and Reconciliations.
- Credit Control.
- Transactional Cash Management Support including preparation of BACS payments.
- Payroll, VAT, and Year End Administration.
- Finance Administration and Data Entry.
- Support a new finance system implementation.

Key Tasks & Duties

1. Ledger Maintenance and Reconciliations

- Support the month-end close by processing day-to-day transactions to ensure all ledgers are up to date (AR, AP, and GL).
- Perform routine balance sheet reconciliations under the guidance of the Finance Manager.
- Identify ledger anomalies and flag processing variances ahead of the working day 7 management accounts deadline.

2. Year End Support

- Assist the Finance Manager in preparing basic schedules for the annual audit file.
- Collate transactional backup documentation, receipts, and invoices to respond efficiently to audit queries.

3. Cash Management Support

- Process supplier invoices and prepare draft BACS payments for Finance Manager review.
- Perform regular reconciliations of bank accounts against transactional records.
- Collect, check, and process employee expense claims and company credit card receipts.
- Undertake credit control to ensure prompt payment of outstanding invoices.

4. Payroll, Statutory and Regulatory Returns

- Collate and organise monthly payroll data to assist the Finance Manager with timely salary preparation.
- Ensure day-to-day VAT records are properly categorised and maintained to support compliance and accurate return submissions.
- Help compile necessary corporate documentation to support timely submissions to Companies House and the Charities Commission.

5. Finance Systems, Processes and Controls

- Maintain accurate accounting records to ensure balance sheet and profit & loss accounts remain tidy for review.
- Strictly adhere to the guidelines set out in the financial controls and procedures manual.
- Work with the Finance Manager to identify manual tasks that can be streamlined through new system implementation, workflow automation, and software integration.

Working Contacts

- Internal: Finance Manager, Director of Resources, Other Heads of Department, and work colleagues.
- External: Organisation Members, Suppliers and Associates, Auditors (administrative queries), and Bank customer service staff.

Person Specification

Criteria will be assessed through application (A), interview (I), or testing (T). Adjustments will be made for all candidates throughout the recruitment process.

Skills & Experience

- Accounting Foundation (A): Solid foundation in accounting principles (debits, credits, and ledger double-entry) through experience and minimum of a completed level 3 accountancy such as AAT Level 3, ACCA Foundation Level, CIMA Foundation Level or other suitable accountancy qualifications.
- Ledger Experience (A, I): Practical experience handling day-to-day accounts payable, accounts receivable, and basic invoice processing.
- Data Entry & Accuracy (A, T): High attention to detail with a systematic and methodical approach to data entry and matching transactions.
- Spreadsheet Skills (A, T): Strong Excel skills, including a comfortable understanding of formulas and data formatting.
- Communication (A, I): Effective communication and written skills to handle basic supplier queries and support internal staff with expenses.
- Collaboration (I): Ability to work collaboratively to support the wider team in meeting structured month-end deadlines.
- Finance Software (A, I): Hands-on knowledge of finance software, with experience of Sage 50 and Xero being beneficial.
- Sector Experience (A): Relevant charity, not-for-profit or transferable sector experience would be advantageous.

Key Attributes & Values

- Collaborative and relationship-focused approach, with a willingness to share learning and support colleagues across the organisation.
- A proactive, can-do mindset to drive organisational value and improve ways of working for all colleagues.
- Curiosity and a continuous learning approach to developing bookkeeping and accountancy skills.
- Appreciation of Business Disability Forum’s values and commitment to equality and inclusion.
- Patience and empathy.
- A genuine passion for their work and for the mission and vision of Business Disability Forum.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We are committed to becoming disability-smart and an employer of choice irrespective of race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, or pregnancy and maternity. The ethical and business case of ensuring that our workforce is representative of wider society is at the heart of what we do. When we are recruiting, disabled candidates who meet all of the criteria will be offered an interview.

General Terms, Conditions & Benefits

- Location: Hybrid working (Business Disability Forum, Dowgate Hill House, 14-16 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SU)
- Hours: 35 hours per week (Standard 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a flexible approach to service delivery)
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Salary: £27,000 – £30,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
- Probationary Period: Four months
- Annual Leave: 25 days per annum plus statutory and bank holidays (usually 33 days in total).
- After 3 Months: Workplace Pension Scheme (8% of gross salary).
- After 4 Months:
- Permanent Health Insurance,
- Group Death in Service (Life Assurance 3x Annual Salary),
- Private Medical Insurance Scheme OR Private Medical Cashback Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme.

Accessibility Statement

Business Disability Forum is committed to ensuring that all its information, products and services are as accessible as possible to everyone. If you would like to discuss anything about accessibility, or need this information in an alternative format, please contact our People team at humanresources@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk or by phone on 020 7403 3020.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a supporting statement of up to 300 words explaining why you think you would be suitable for the role. Email your application to jobs@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk.

You can also post your application to: Human Resources, Business Disability Forum, Dowgate Hill House, 14-16 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2SU.

If you need any adjustments to the application process, please email jobs@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk.

Key dates

- Closing date: 11:59pm on Monday 23 November 2026
- First interviews: planned for the week commencing Monday 30 November 2026
- Second interviews: likely to take place in the week commencing Monday 7 December 2026