Bookkeeper volunteer roles in carlisle, cumbria

Volunteer Bookkeeper (3–4 hrs/month to start)

Team-based • Remote • Growing hours next year

About us

Willowbrook Farm Charity is a small, grassroots UK charity delivering education in sustainability, biodiversity, and ethical farming. Please visit our website to read more about us before you apply. 

Purpose of the role

Keep our day-to-day finances tidy, accurate, and compliant, recording donations and expenses and reconciling ledgers. Help set up simple, reliable systems so we’re ready for year-end accounts, trustee reporting, and regulatory returns.

Where this role sits

• Reports to: Treasurer / Operational Director
• Works with: Finance Lead Volunteer, Fundraising Coordinator Volunteers (for donations log) and Operational Director
• Line management: None

Time & location

• Commitment: ~3–4 hours per month (light start; likely to grow next year)
• Location: Remote (occasional on-site optional)

Key responsibilities

• Record transactions: Log donations, grants, invoices, bills, and staff/volunteer expenses (attach receipts).
• Bank & wallet reconciliations: Monthly bank recs; check petty cash/PayPal/Stripe as applicable.
• Donation tracking: Maintain a donations register (date, source, restricted/unrestricted, Gift Aid eligibility).
• Ledger hygiene: Keep chart of accounts clean; tag restricted funds; maintain an audit trail.
• Monthly file: Produce a simple pack (bank recs, transaction list, outstanding items).
• Systems setup: Propose and implement a simple process for receipt capture, naming conventions, and monthly checklists (we use Airtable but also have Google Sheets or could get an accounting software if fund is sourced).
• Compliance support: Keep records ready for trustees, independent examination/year-end accounts, and HMRC Gift Aid claims (if used).

Boundaries & decision-making

This is a record-keeping and reconciliation role. Payment approvals, budgets, and financial decisions rest with the Volunteer Finance Lead and Operational Director/Trustees. You’ll flag issues or gaps; the leadership team will act on next steps.

This position is ideal for professionals looking to dedicate a few hours a month to support charitable, grassroots projects with their skills.

What a good start for us looks like (first 3 months)

• All transactions entered and reconciled monthly with receipts attached. (we have very little currently)
• A simple finance system in place (folders, naming, monthly checklist, donations log). (to be created with the Finance Lead)
• Finance Lead receives a tidy monthly file (bank recs + transaction export).
• Clear list of any gaps (missing receipts/policies) with suggestions to fix.

Person specification

Essential

• Bookkeeping experience and qualifications (charity or small business).
• Comfortable with spreadsheets and/or accounting software (e.g., Xero/QuickBooks/Sage—happy to adopt what suits as we have limited budget to work with paid solutions).
• Attention to detail; organised record-keeping; clear written communication.
• Values alignment with our mission and approach.

Desirable

• Familiarity with UK charity finance basics (restricted funds, Gift Aid, independent examination).
• Experience setting up simple finance processes in small teams.

Induction & support

• Induction to our programmes, finance folders, and current records.
• Named contact (Treasurer/Director) + a short monthly check-in.
• We’ll agree a starter checklist and refine it together.

Inclusion statement

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments. Tell us what you need to participate fully. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from volunteers outside of the UK.

How to apply

Please, apply with a cover letter and CV.  References may be requested.