Job Description

Finance Associate (Full-Time 40hrs/week or Part-Time 32hrs/week)
Salary: 30,000 - 33,000
Diversity
We're an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment, where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves at work. We recognise that the climate crisis intersects with social and inclusion issues, and we're particularly eager to receive applications from individuals who bring diverse perspectives, including people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, parents, carers, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We also value different experiences and encourage applicants whose backgrounds may not exactly match the criteria in the job description to apply.
About the role
We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Finance Associate to support the day-to-day financial operations of Sustainable Ventures. This role is central to maintaining accurate financial records, processing transactions efficiently, and ensuring smooth workflows across our multi-entity group structure, which includes workspace operations, consultancy services, and fund management.
As the first point of contact for finance queries from our startup members, you'll play a vital role in building trusted relationships with the entrepreneurs and businesses we support. Clear, responsive communication with members, whether addressing invoice queries, payment matters, or account reconciliations, will be essential to delivering excellent service and reinforcing our reputation as a supportive partner in their growth journey.
We're looking for a systems savvy self starter who is eager to learn and excited by the chance to make things run smarter while supporting our mission to tackle climate change. This role offers a unique opportunity for an early career finance professional to get hands on experience across diverse business models, grow fast, and make a real impact in a collaborative, innovative, and purpose driven environment.
Key responsibilities

• Member Finance Support and Communication
• Act as primary finance contact for startup members, responding promptly and professionally to queries regarding invoices, payments, and account matters;
• Build strong working relationships with members to ensure smooth financial interactions and member satisfaction;

Coordinate with workspace and programme teams to resolve member billing queries and maintain accurate records.
Accounts Payable and Receivable

• Process supplier invoices and member invoices accurately in Xero with correct coding and allocation;
• Prepare weekly payment runs and reconcile incoming payments via GoCardless and other platforms;
• Monitor outstanding payables and receivables, sending professional reminders and following up as needed;
• Maintain accurate supplier and member records.

Banking, Reconciliations and Expense Management

• Perform weekly bank reconciliations across all entities, identifying and investigating discrepancies;
• Reconcile GoCardless, Pleo, and Capital on Tap accounts in Xero;
• Monitor Pleo card spend, chase missing receipts, and process expense claims in line with policies.

Finance Administration and Process Improvement

• Maintain organised digital filing systems for contracts, invoices, and financial documentation across entities;
• Schedule finance meetings, prepare agendas, and follow up on outstanding actions;
• Support onboarding/offboarding activities and system access updates;
• Identify repetitive tasks suitable for automation or AI-assisted workflows (e.g. minute generation);
• Contribute ideas for streamlining processes and improving efficiency across the finance function.

Month End

• Assist with month-end activities including journal postings, account reconciliations, and VAT preparation;
• Support statutory reporting and collaborate with other departments on financial analysis.

We need you to have experience in

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and reconciliations.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency (or willingness to learn) in accounting software, ideally Xero, and familiarity with tools such as Dext, Pleo, or similar platforms.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills for liaising with startup members, internal teams, suppliers, and clients.
• Good understanding of accounting principles and financial processes.
• Confident using Google Sheets for data management and basic analysis.

You ideally have experience in

• 1-2 years' experience in a finance, accounting, or bookkeeping support role (or currently completing a bookkeeping apprenticeship).
• Experience handling the full AP/AR cycle with minimal supervision.
• Familiarity with multi-entity accounting structures or group consolidations.
• Knowledge of digital payment platforms, reconciliation tools, and finance integrations.
• Experience with EU sales transactions or VAT considerations.

Benefits

• Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week or Part-Time, 32 hours per week. Flexible working (with minimum 3 days in either the London or Manchester office)

Remuneration: 30,000 - 33,000 FTE per annum (prorated for part-time)
Based: London or Manchester Workspace.
Additional details

• 25 days Holiday + Bank Hols (prorated for part-time)
• Monthly Wellness Day (for rest & recharge)
• Paid Sick Leave + Vitality Health Insurance Scheme
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme + Octopus EV Lease Scheme

As you grow with us, you can access additional benefits, including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave & pay (after 2 years' service).
Recruitment process

• 30 min phone screening interview
• Two stage interviews

About Sustainable Ventures
We're Europe's largest ecosystem of climate tech startups. Following our expansion of our Central London headquarters, and the recent opening of our Central Manchester workspace, we're focused on our mission to develop 1000 new businesses by 2025, and expand our operations across UK regions.
Our impact on the planet's climate and its natural resources is being felt more often and by more people than ever before. It is clear that significant changes must be made to achieve the targets set by the IPCC and reach Net Zero by 2050. This presents the world's biggest challenge and it is something that SV has been addressing since 2011.
We believe in the power of commercial innovation to address the twin challenges of climate change and resource scarcity.

Skills Required