Part-time jobs for the Disability sector
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We kindly ask recruiters or agencies not to contact us about this role as we're managing this process directly. Due to the volume of agency enquiries, we're unfortunately unable to respond to each one individually.
Location: Reading, Hybrid (at least once per month to Reading Office)
Hours: 21 hours per week
Salary: £30,124 pro rata £17,097.41 for 21 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent, Part Time
Campaign Closes: 22nd June 2026
Interviews: First stage: 24th/25th June 2026,
Second stage: 30th June 2026
On occasion, we may close a vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible, as we will be shortlisting on a rolling basis.
Core Purpose
To deliver high quality, accurate, and responsive financial support that ensures the smooth operation of Make-A-Wish finance function. This role is central to maintaining the integrity of financial data through timely processing of transactions, effective communication with stakeholders, and diligent reconciliation of accounts. By supporting both internal teams and external partners, the role helps uphold financial compliance and operational efficiency, enabling Make-A-Wish to focus on granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
Key Responsibilities
Customer and Communication Support
- Monitor the finance mailbox daily, ensuring all emails are reviewed and responded to in a timely, professional, and accurate manner. Provide first-line support for internal and external customer queries, escalating complex or unresolved issues to the appropriate team member or manager.
- Handle incoming calls to the finance team, offering courteous and knowledgeable assistance. Accurately log call details and follow up on outstanding queries to ensure resolution and customer satisfaction.
Sales and Purchase Processing
- Process sales invoices accurately and efficiently in accordance with MAW’s financial procedures, ensuring correct coding, VAT treatment, and timely dispatch to customers.
- Set up new customers and suppliers on the finance system, verifying all required documentation and approvals are in place. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records to support compliance and audit readiness.
- Process purchase ledger invoices (approx. 360 per month), ensuring they are matched to purchase orders, coded correctly, and approved in line with internal controls. Resolve discrepancies promptly to avoid payment delays.
- Create payment runs and upload onto the bank for approval, ensuring approvals are obtained in a timely manner
Reconciliations and Debt Management
- Perform supplier statement reconciliations regularly, identifying and resolving aged or unmatched items. Liaise with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure accounts are accurate and up to date.
- Monitor outstanding sales invoices, escalating overdue items to the relevant ‘requestor’ or budget holder. Support the credit control process by providing timely updates and assisting with follow-up actions.
- Conduct income reconciliations on a regular basis, ensuring all income is accurately recorded and discrepancies are investigated and resolved.
- Reconcile balance sheet accounts as assigned, maintaining clear audit trails and supporting documentation for all entries.
Expense and Credit Card Management
- Process monthly credit card statements, ensuring all transactions are supported by receipts, correctly coded, and approved in line with company policy.
- Review and process employee expense claims, checking for accuracy, policy compliance, and appropriate authorisation before submission for payment.
Inventory and Stock Control
- Conduct stock takes at agreed intervals, working with relevant departments to ensure accurate counts and investigate variances. Support the maintenance of accurate stock records in the finance system.
Financial Recording and Reporting
- Post and process journal entries for accruals, prepayments, and other adjustments to ensure the general ledger reflects accurate and complete financial information. Maintain supporting documentation for all entries.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify process improvements and opportunities for automation, making recommendations to line manager and supporting implementation
General and Ad-Hoc Support
- Support with ad-hoc finance tasks as required, including data entry, reporting, and assisting with audits or internal reviews.
- Provide cover for team members during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of service and workload management. Take on additional duties as appropriate to the level of the role and contribute to team objectives.
Essential Criteria
- Proven experience in a finance or accounts role, with a solid understanding of financial processes such as invoicing, reconciliations, and ledger management.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and financial reporting.
- GCSE Maths or equivalent, grade 4/5 (C) or above.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to respond professionally to internal and external queries.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing workload effectively and meeting deadlines.
- Proficient in using finance systems, particularly Xero and Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
- Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with integrity and discretion.
- Strong organisational skills and a methodical approach to problem-solving.
- Willingness to learn
- Positive and ‘can do’ attitude
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working within a charity, non-profit, or mission-driven organisation.
- Experience with stock control or inventory management.
- Knowledge of VAT and basic accounting principles.
- AAT qualification or working towards a relevant finance qualification.
- Experience supporting audits or financial reviews.
- Willingness to take on additional responsibilities and support team members during absences.
- Proficiency in finance systems, Lightyear & JOIIN
Together, we create joy, happiness and magical memories through life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
About Ataxia UK
Ataxia’ is an umbrella term for a group of progressive, neurological conditions which involve problems with co-ordination, balance and speech caused by disruption of the messages sent from our brains to our muscles.
Ataxia UK funds research into cures and treatments for ataxia, including stem cell and gene therapy. By collaborating with ataxia researchers across the globe, and pharmaceutical and research organisations, we’re confident that cures can one day be found. Until then, we work towards getting better treatments for people with ataxia and providing information and support to everyone affected. Improving their quality of life and helping to slow the progression of the disease.
About the Role
As our Financial Controller, you'll lead the day-to-day financial operations of the charity, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting and efficient processes that support our mission. You'll oversee month-end reporting, budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis, providing clear insights to inform decision-making across the organisation. Working closely with colleagues throughout the charity, you'll manage grant and restricted fund reporting, support annual planning, drive continuous improvement in financial systems and processes, and lead a small finance team. You'll also play a key role in ensuring compliance with charity accounting standards, governance requirements and best practice.
About you
We're looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA ,CIPFA or similar) with at least five years' post-qualification experience and a proven track record in senior finance or audit roles. You'll be confident leading finance operations, managing staff, and turning complex financial information into clear, actionable insights.
You'll bring experience of charity finance, including grant management, restricted and unrestricted funds, and Charity SORP, alongside strong skills in Xero and Excel. Experience with Fathom and Raiser's Edge (or similar CRM/database systems) would be an advantage.
Just as importantly, you'll be passionate about making a difference for people affected by ataxia. You'll understand the barriers faced by disabled people, approach our members with empathy and respect, and share our commitment to equality, inclusion and ethical medical research.
This is an opportunity for a skilled finance professional to use their expertise to help drive our mission and make a meaningful impact.
Benefits of working for us.
- 25 days annual leave pro rata (rising to 30 with a length of service)
- Extra holiday day for your birthday
- Access to a free Health Plan, Employee Assistance Programme & Employee Hotline
- Flexible hybrid working
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity and co-parental leave
- Cycle to work scheme
- Training and development opportunities
- Accredited Living Wage Employer
Please see full Job Description for further details including Person Specifications. Your covering letter will be used to assess you against the person specification for this role.
*First round interviews will take place online. Second round interviews will take place in person at our office in Highgate.*