Bookkeeper jobs in milton keynes

The Scientific and Medical Network (SMN) is an educational charity that challenges the adequacy of scientific materialism by exploring the frontiers of science, consciousness, and spirituality. SMN produces webinars, online conferences, and a regular journal, Paradigm Explorer, aimed at academics, educational professionals, students, and the general public.

We need another member of the accounts team who can dedicate the time to fortify our accounts team and help with operational processes, and with organisational development.

Role Overview: This is a hands-on systems development role that combines operational financial administration with organisational development. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the existing bookkeeper to further bring order and clarity to SMN's financial processes while building a coherent framework within its new Chart of Accounts, that can accommodate the organisation's growing interconnected projects.

The role focuses on improvements such as new invoicing processes, streamlining payment workflows, and resolving banking issues - while helping to develop the systems and structures needed for long-term financial clarity and governance compliance.

This is a mid-level position that blends practical work with systems thinking, requiring someone who can work at both levels to support SMN's diverse activities across webinars, conferences, membership services, and multiple projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Practical priorities

• Help new weekly payables cycle, working closely with Bookkeeper and Director with financial oversight 
• Organise invoices from various projects, determining their place in the overall financial structure
• Initiate payments via CAF, PayPal, and other systems, 
• Manage banking relationships with Barclays and CAF, maintaining efficient access and reporting
• Maintain banking mandates and ensure record-keeping remains clear, up-to-date, and efficient
• Support General Manager with hands-on financial operations and day-to-day payment processing

Financial Structure Development

• Help to implement and refine new Chart of Accounts with SMN Bookkeeper focusing on clear reporting
• Collaborate with project leads (particularly David Lorimer for Galileo Commission) to understand financial structures and reporting requirements
• Develop project reference systems linking budgets, codes, and stakeholders across diverse activities
• Work on 2026 organisational budgets once foundational systems are established

Collaborative Team Support

• Work as peer consultant with bookkeeper Rhanna Lei Cariaga, supporting her professional development
• Support Director Alan Malby, General Manager Andrew Polson , and Company Secretary Catherine Coubrough-Smith in meeting Charity Commission compliance requirements
• Contribute to Board reporting through accurate financial documentation and analysis

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Accounting qualification (AAT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or significant equivalent practical experience
• Hands-on experience with payment processing, banking relationships, and invoice management
• Proven ability to work with complex organisational structures and multiple projects
• Experience with Xero or similar accounting software systems
• Strong relationship management skills for dealing with banks and financial institutions
• Collaborative working style with ability to support team development
• Practical problem-solving approach to operational challenges

Highly Desirable:

• Experience with charity/nonprofit financial management
• Knowledge of CAF banking and payment systems
• Understanding of UK Charity Commission requirements
• Experience in systems implementation and process improvement
• Familiarity with multi-project organisational structures

Working Arrangements:

• Flexible remote work with occasional video conferencing for team meetings
• Collaborative schedule coordinated with bookkeeper and General Manager
• Initial intensive period (10-20 hours/week) for systems implementation
• Sustainable ongoing commitment (7-10 hours/week) once foundations established
• Responsive availability for urgent financial matters and payment processing

Benefits:

• Collaborative team environment with opportunities for professional development
• Flexible working arrangements with remote work capability
• Meaningful work supporting innovative projects at the intersection of science, consciousness, and spirituality
• Financial systems development experience working with a UK charities context 

Finance Assistant

We are seeking an experienced Finance Assistant with strong bookkeeping skills to join the central finance team of a growing international charity working at the intersection of cultural heritage and community development.

Position: Finance Assistant
Location: Remote (UK-based)
Contract: Fixed-term, 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Hours: Part-time (0.4 FTE / 15 hours per week – must be available on Mondays)
Salary:Circa £30,000 per annum, depending on experience

Closing Date:21st September 2025 at 11.59pm

About the Role

Working as part of the charity’s central finance team, the Finance Assistant will help ensure the integrity of financial records and play a key role in maintaining accurate and timely bookkeeping for the UK.

You will be responsible for recording and reconciling transactions, processing invoices and payments, maintaining ledgers, and assisting with audit schedules. This is a highly detail-oriented role, requiring excellent accuracy, organisation, and the ability to work independently in a fully remote environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Recording USD and GBP bank, MoneyCorp, and PayPal entries in QuickBooks
• Monthly reconciliation of all UK bank, MoneyCorp, and PayPal accounts
• Reviewing and processing supplier invoices and expense claims, including setting up payments
• Setting up multi-currency payments for international offices and maintaining creditors ledgers
• Maintaining UK debtors and creditors ledgers
• Recording and reconciling corporate credit card transactions
• Reconciling specified balance sheet accounts monthly
• Assisting with audit schedules and financial reporting

About You

The ideal candidate will be methodical, accurate, and proactive, with significant bookkeeping experience and strong QuickBooks skills. You will be comfortable working remotely, with excellent communication and organisational skills, and the ability to manage your workload effectively.

Key skills and experience required:

• Significant bookkeeping experience with excellent understanding of double entry
• Strong experience using QuickBooks
• Understanding of multi-currency accounting
• Methodical approach with outstanding attention to detail and high accuracy
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong organisational skills, able to work independently in a remote environment

Desirable:

• Understanding of charity finance regulations and practices
• Cross-cultural understanding and experience working with dispersed teams

How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and a statement (no longer than 2 pages) outlining why you are the right person for this role.

About the Organisation

The employer is a British charity founded in 2006 that believes artisanal heritage matters and has the power to transform lives. The charity supports artisans to thrive, revitalise endangered traditions, and connect people across the world through heritage.

The organisation is fast-growing, with offices in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, and the Levant, and employs over 400 staff worldwide. With both charitable and trading operations, they deliver an ambitious, wide-ranging programme of work in complex and sometimes conflict-affected regions.

You may have experience in areas such as: Finance Officer, Bookkeeper, Assistant Accountant, Accounts Assistant, Finance Administrator, Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.