The British Museum
Finance Assistant: Payables
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Finance Assistant: Payables
Part-time, working 3 days per week (Wednesday – Friday)
Hybrid working available, based in Bloomsbury, London
Permanent
£17,785.20 per annum (based on £29,642 pro rata)
Application deadline: 23:59 on Sunday, 9 August 2026
About the Role
We are seeking a meticulous and motivated Finance Assistant (Payables) to join our Finance team and play a vital role in supporting the smooth running of the British Museum. Working behind the scenes, your contribution will help ensure that we can continue to preserve, protect and share our collections with millions of visitors each year.
As part of our accounts payable team, you will ensure the accurate and timely processing of invoices and payments, helping us maintain strong relationships with suppliers and colleagues across the Museum.
You will be responsible for managing a busy and varied workload, balancing priorities and ensuring high standards of accuracy and service at all times.
About You
We are looking for someone who is detail-oriented, and collaborative with excellent communication skills. You will be able to evidence:
- A good understanding of basic accounting principles.
- Strong numerical skills with high levels of accuracy.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage high volumes of data.
- Confident IT skills, including spreadsheets.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Able to prioritise work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive, flexible and team-oriented approach.
Familiarity with accounting systems and experience working in a finance environment would be advantageous.
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Key Areas of Responsibility
Accounts Payable:
- Maintain the purchase ledger, ensuring records are accurate and up to date.
- Process invoices and ensure timely authorisation across departments.
- Prepare and run high-quality payment batches in line with agreed schedules.
- Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies.
- Liaise with suppliers and internal teams to efficiently resolve queries.
Financial Administration
- Input and reconcile financial data, including general ledger postings.
- Support month-end processes including account reconciliations.
- Maintain stock records and resolve related queries.
- Ensure accurate record-keeping and filing (digital and physical).
The Masterplan
The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Benefits
At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we’ve outlined some highlights below:
- Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
- Civil Service Pension Scheme defined benefit with 28.97% employer contribution.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years), pro-rata’d for part-time working.
- Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
- Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
- Interest-free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.
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Our Values
Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:
- Care Deeply
- Embrace the Unknown
- Spark Curiosity
- Value Many Voices
These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.
Additional Details
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.
Internal Applicants: We welcome internal applicants regardless of background, department or length of service but encourage you to let your manager know before applying.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
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