Accountant jobs in birmingham, west midlands

Summary

EduSpots is an innovative, dynamic, and community-orientated UK and Ghanaian registered charity which connects, trains, and equips grassroots voluntary educators (named ‘Catalysts’) to drive community-led change through education spaces named ‘Spots’. Our vision is of a world in which communities unite to create the futures they want to see, through education.

Since 2016, through collaborating with over 400 local voluntary community educators and actors – named ‘Catalysts’ – who take a central leadership role in the development of the network, we have supported 50 communities in creating and running community-led and owned education spaces named ‘Spots’’. Together, we are developing a model for a community-led education space with accompanying network engagement that could have global relevance. 

Our Ghana-based team creates collaborative learning opportunities through three leadership programmes for Catalysts which are increasingly facilitated by the EduSpots app: the Ignite, Catalyse and Inspire Mentoring Programmes. These enable the Catalysts to lead EduKidz (early years education), DigLit (digital literacy), EcoSTEM (STEM and environmental education) and Ignite Equity (gender equity) clubs for learners typically aged 3-16, alongside locally designed education projects, reaching over 10,000 learners of all ages annually. 

We are in an exciting period of our development, having more than doubled our income, programme breadth and reach in the last two years, with a recent independent evaluation by Expectation State offering further evidence in support of our model’s outcomes. We have been recently selected for two accelerator programmes, who are supporting us as we consider the scaling potential of our model. In the period, we are aiming to double our network reach, bringing an additional 50 Spots into the network.

We won the Tes International Award in 2018 and the Big Give Supporters’ Choice Award in 2022, and we were recently selected as a finalist for the 2023 Their World Scale-Up Innovation Prize. In 2021, our Founder was a Finalist in the UNESCO-backed $1 million Global Teacher Prize.

We are excited by our future. 

About this role 

The Global Head of Operations is a new role being introduced in 2026 with the core purpose of strengthening systems, processes and strategic delivery across both EduSpots Global and EduSpots Ghana, offering hands-on support to the CEO and wider staff across a range of areas.

In this senior role, you will work closely alongside the CEO, offering her the advice and skills needed to move EduSpots successfully through a complex period of growth in a challenging fundraising context, enabling more learners and Catalysts to participate in a unique community-led model of education, whilst sharing our practice more widely.

We are looking for an organised and empathetic strategic leader, ideally with strong or developing skills across project management, finance, HR and MEL skills and an ability to work independently in a fast moving work environment.

This role has the potential to grow into a Director of Global Operations or Deputy CEO role in time for outstanding candidates, and carries significant organisation-wide responsibility.

Candidates should hold a genuine passion for educational equity, a strong belief in the power of community-led models to transform lives at scale and a high level of flexibility in a fast-changing yet friendly and playful work environment.

Whilst this role is remote, and open to all global candidates, you will need to have understanding and experience of UK law, accounting and policy development, or a strong appetite to build experience in this area quickly.

Main duties and responsibilities 

Systems

• Work with the CEO and staff to proactively strengthen systems and processes across the organisation, including monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks and operations. 
• Support the wider team with IT, including general skill development, leading the Google Space system. 
• Monitor compliance to organisational policies and lead the quarterly review of the organisational risk register, working with the Ghana Head of Operations. 

Finance 

• Work with the Finance and Admin Officer to produce monthly and quarterly global management accounts, cash flow analysis and to complete the annual audit. 
• Lead the financial planning of the organisation, working with the CEO and the Ghana Head of Operations to create the annual budget. 
• Work with the Ghana Head of Operations to strengthen financial systems, processes, and training across the organisation. 
• Work with the Ghana Head of Operations to prepare budgets for funding bids as needed.
• Work with the grants team to track grant spending and produce consolidated financial reports (including expenditure from the UK and Ghana) for donors. 
• Ensure EduSpots’ new accounting software (QuickBooks) is fully embedded and utilised.
• Oversee bank account management, including payments, checking bank statements, and reviewing bank reconciliations for UK and Ghana.
• Ensure staff payroll (likely to be outsourced) and payments to freelancers / consultants are done accurately and in a timely manner.

HR

• Work alongside the CEO, Head of Operations, Safeguarding and Inclusion Managers  and wider staff to develop strategies to sustain and strengthen a high performing and friendly work culture. 
• Work across the team to strengthen HR and performance management structures, informed by best practice and legal frameworks. 
• Lead the recruitment of staff, consultants and volunteers in the UK (advertising roles, drafting contracts, contacting referees and completing all filing and administration relating to recruitment).
• Onboard new staff, provide training on policies and procedures, and track key information (leave, appraisals, etc) for UK staff. 
• Regularly review and keep the Staff Handbook up to date.
• Depending on skill-set, work with the CEO to lead professional development for staff across the organisation, liaising with trustees and advisory group members.

Administration & Governance

• Manage and maintain databases and our Google Drive system. 
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and adherence to our child safeguarding and protection policy. 
• Maintain insurance renewals, tracking and filing.
• Review and keep up to date all organisational policies in line with current legislation, working with the Trustees and Directors. 
• Assist the CEO in the administration relating to EduSpots’ governance, including board meeting arrangements and minute taking.
• Support the CEO in all ad-hoc tasks that arise, working closely alongside her to ensure the smooth running of the organisation. 

Strategic insight 

• Work closely with the CEO and staff/Catalysts across the organisation to ensure all EduSpots’ decision-making is strategic and in the best interests of the Catalysts, Sparks and Communities we partner with. 

Other areas 

• Depending on experience, you may in time take on management responsibilities for some staff, but this role is principally a systems strengthening and quality improvement role, working closely with the CEO to offer advice and additional capacity. 
• Depending on experience, you may support with grants writing / management and/or community fundraising. Experience of fundraising would be of significant benefit to the organisation in this key leadership role. 

Personal Specification 

Essential 

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience of operations in a small/medium charity context. 
• Self-starter with the ability to hit the ground running and work with minimal supervision with high levels of flexibility.
• Self-motivated, with an ability to motivate and energise others.
• High level strategic understanding, critical thinking and the ability to strengthen systems in a fast-paced high performance environment.
• Excellent communication, both oral and written.
• The ability to thrive and adapt in a fast-paced, creative and impact-driven culture. 
• Strong administrative skills with a high level of attention to detail. 
• Experience in creating user-friendly tools and processes to support project and quality management.
• Experience using Google Suite, with strong Excel skills.
• Tech savvy – ability to learn new tech tools efficiently.
• Experience coordinating others. 
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills with strong empathy and cultural sensitivity 
• Strong personal alignment with the mission, vision and values of EduSpots. 

Highly desirable 

• Experience supporting charity Boards, and working with external bodies including auditors, tax authorities, and other official bodies is highly desirable.
• Experience complying and strong familiarity with UK charity regulations and requirements.
• Experience preparing budgets and financial reports for donors/grants. 
• Experience of working in a cross-cultural team.
• Experience of working with an international charity would be advantageous. 

Please send a tailored covering letter and CV addressed to the CEO Miss Cat Davison by Wednesday 31st December with a hope to meet shortlisted candidates for a first-round interview in the week starting Monday 12th January. 

EFAM

For more than twenty years, Education For All Morocco has worked to ensure that girls from Morocco’s most disadvantaged rural communities can access — and complete — their education. What began as a small initiative providing safe boarding for girls in the High Atlas has evolved into a nationwide organisation creating long-term pathways from secondary school to university and employment.

Today, EFA Morocco operates a growing network of boarding houses, specialist education centres, and university scholarship programmes, supporting girls with diverse needs — including those with disabilities — to learn, thrive, and shape their own futures. Through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and a holistic support model, EFA Morocco is driving systemic change so that every girl, no matter where she is born, has the opportunity to learn, lead, and transform her life and community.

The Role

The Finance & Operations Coordinator is a central position in a small, purpose-driven team. The role provides direct support to the Managing Director and works closely with the Finance Committee to ensure that the charity’s financial and operational systems are well managed, compliant and effective.

This is a broad and hands-on role that involves managing day-to-day UK operations, supporting financial oversight, ensuring smooth coordination with our in-country partners, and keeping our administrative framework in excellent order.

You will be responsible for maintaining clear systems, meeting key reporting deadlines, and ensuring that the organisation runs efficiently behind the scenes. The role suits someone who is proactive, reliable, and comfortable managing a wide variety of tasks with independence and initiative.

Key Responsibilities

Finance and Reporting

• Maintain accurate financial records in Xero, reconciling transactions and processing payments for invoices, payroll and expenses.

• Allocate receipts and donations to the correct funds and ensure supporting documentation is filed systematically.

• Prepare and submit Gift Aid claims to HMRC.

• Collate quarterly financial and narrative reports from Moroccan partner NGOs and follow up on missing information.

• Support the Managing Director and Finance Committee with budget preparation, analysis and audit documentation.

• Ensure that annual accounts and financial reports are submitted in line with Charity Commission requirements.

Operations and Administration

• Oversee and improve shared filing systems (Teams/SharePoint), ensuring that all administrative and financial records are accurate, up to date and easy to access.

• Manage the main email inbox, responding to or redirecting correspondence promptly and professionally.

• Coordinate logistics for meetings, events, and annual project visits in Morocco.

• Support the Managing Director with scheduling, documentation, and general administrative follow-up.

• Monitor compliance tasks, ensuring that all Charity Commission and internal governance requirements are up to date and properly documented.

Donor and Partner Relations

• Act as a first point of contact for donors, supporter schools, hotels and individuals.

• Process and acknowledge donations, issue receipts and maintain accurate donor records.

• Proactively follow up with existing and potential supporters, helping to build and maintain relationships.

• Liaise with Moroccan partners to ensure that project and financial reporting are on track and shared on time.

Governance and Oversight

• Support the Finance Committee and Managing Director with preparation for trustee and committee meetings, including gathering reports and ensuring actions are followed up.

• Assist with external audits and reviews, coordinating with UK auditors and Moroccan partners as needed.

• Maintain oversight of risk management, safeguarding and health and safety documentation, ensuring relevant information is filed and accessible.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience with Xero or similar accounting software, and confidence handling day-to-day bookkeeping.

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Word) and comfortable using Teams/SharePoint.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Able to work independently and take initiative, with good judgement about when to seek input.

• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and adapting to a varied workload.

• Interest in education, international development or girls’ empowerment.

Organisation: Education For All Morocco (EFA Morocco)

Responsible to: Managing Director
Location: Remote (with annual project visit to Morocco)
Hours: 24/32 hrs per week
Salary: £25,000 – £29,000 per annum (pro rata)
Annual leave and benefits: 25 days annual leave (pro rata, excluding bank holidays) + pension scheme (as per regulatory requirements)