Credit Controller Jobs

Accounts Receivable Supervisor.

Permanent position
Hybrid working
£34,000 - £37,000 Salary

14% pension contribution

35 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday.

Morgan law are working exclusively with the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama for the recruitment of an Accounts Receivable Supervisor.

Reporting into the Head of Finance and managing a credit controller, your responsibilities will include:

To be responsible for the accurate maintenance of the Student Billing module in the finance accounting system.

Manage and maintain an accurate debtor control record, adjusting student fee records to ensure that students have been correctly billed by raising invoices and credit notes accordingly.

* Ensure School fees are paid in line with agreed deadlines and liaise with students to resolve payment queries including setting up individual payments plans in a speedy, accurate and professional manner.

* Provide analysis of tuition fee income and provide information to management for monthly, quarterly, end of year financial reporting and periodic reconciliation purposes.

* Develop and manage communications plan for students regarding payment dates and methods of payment.

* Oversee the Sales Ledger, raising all invoices and credit notes for other income streams including Student Support Services, Short Courses, Research and other departments.

* Send accurate monthly statements to students/customers.

* Produce monthly sales ledger analysis including aged debtor report.

* To maintain accurate and appropriate credit control procedures in line with the school policy and proactively manage the collection of all outstanding debts.

* Advise Head of Finance regarding potential bad debt risk and adequacy of bad debt provision

The client will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so apply early so you do not miss out.

Finance Officer - Central London base

Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week

Location: Temporarily at Church House Westminster, then permanently at 25 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SF

Hybrid Working: Connexional Team staff based at Methodist Church House have a hybrid work pattern which is currently 2 days in the office, and 3 days remote.

The Vacancy

The role involves correctly accounting for all payments and income including legacies given to specific projects and district assessment ensuring that all sums due to the Church have been duly received and where necessary, banked intact and promptly and correctly accounted for.

Your Qualities:

• Good attention to detail and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• First class organisational and administrative skills and systematic approach to work
• Ability to deliver to set deadlines
• Able to remain calm under pressure and be tactful in difficult or sensitive situations
• Honesty, integrity, resilience and professionalism

Key duties include:

• Processing supplier invoices ensuring payments are made on time
• Processing donations, raising sales invoices and performing credit control checks
• Posting investment income transactions and administering legacies
• Process gift aid claims and provide support to churches Gift Aid Secretaries
• Raising sales ledger invoices and performing credit control
• Posting cash book journals and preparing bank and control account reconciliations
• Process the pension scheme cashbooks and general ledger journals
• To be the main point of contact to handle customer and supplier queries

Our Culture, Values and Benefits

Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.

We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), TOIL, flexi-leave and an on-site Wellbeing Adviser service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.

The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people of Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups. We welcome applications from people living with disabilities. 

Closing Date: 26 April 2024

Interview Date: 10 May 2024

Want to be part of a close-knit team that inspires, equips and supports people of all ages to grow in Christian faith? We are looking for someone with a passion for our mission who can provide high level service to customers and supporters as part of the Supporter Services team based at the BRF offices in Abingdon. This full time role involves processing orders from online, phone and post and answering queries. 

As part of the Supporter Services team:

• Respond to customer queries received by telephone, letter, and email, always providing a high standard of customer service.
• Process books, subscriptions and events orders received by post, telephone and online.
• Pack and post orders that require sending from the office.
• Process donations received by all forms, including web donations.
• Allocate payments received by BACS, cheque, or credit card.
• Conduct sales ledger reconciliations.
• Open and distribute the post.
• Assist in credit control.
• Manage office stock levels.
• Assist in processing of renewals and subscription releases.
• Order office and event stock.
• Circulate advance copies.
• Assist finance team with statements to account.
• Administrative support to the Operations team as required.

Skills and Experience

• Previous experience delivering high levels of customer service.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, high degree of confident on the phone.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office, order processing and accounts packages.
• Ability to work well under pressure and to multi-task.
• Excellent literacy and numeracy skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Reliable and consistent.
• Ability to work in a team with a flexible and positive attitude towards sharing tasks and workloads.
• Strong commitment to the aims of the organisation.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays (increasing to 30 days plus bank holidays after five full years' service)
• Additional three days off between Christmas and the New Year
• Auto enrolment pension scheme (8% employer contribution, 3% employee contribution)
• Private health insurance (after successful completion of probationary period)
• Generous flexitime scheme allowing employees to accrue time and earn additional days leave
• Employee Assistance Programme with access to financial advice, career coaching and counselling
• Staff discount scheme
• Learning and development opportunities
• Regular opportunities to connect with colleagues at our weekly briefing and virtual coffee break, and regular team in-person gatherings.
• BRF is proud to be an accredited Living Wage employer

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, in particular those that are currently under-represented within our staff team. This includes, but is not limited to, people from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups, especially within our leadership roles. 

A medium sized health education charity is seeking a Finance Officer on a full-time, permanent basis.

The organisation is an established charity that provides information and guidance on various aspects of veganism. Services range from general advice on vegan lifestyle – diet, travel, shopping etc, campaigning activities, additional services to charity members, and the certification and labelling of products based on their internationally recognised Vegan Trademark.

The organisation has around 65 staff with a turnover of around £4 million annually. Their central offices are in Birmingham, however this role can be taken on almost exclusively remotely – it is anticipated that there will be approximately 6 journeys per year required either to the Birmingham office or another mutually agreeable location – for staff events and meetings.

The role sits within a small finance team of 3, and will be highly varied covering most aspects of transactional finance. The starting salary is between £29,413 - £31,508, however they have regular salary reviews and growth in the role is possible. They also have an excellent benefits package including a pension scheme, employee assistance programme, 28 days leave + bank holidays, plus additional leave available as part of a sustainable transportation climate perks policy.

The ideal candidate will be AAT part-qualified with experience in a similar Finance Officer level role. Exposure to double-entry bookkeeping and an understanding of charity finance would be an advantage. Experience with Sage accounting is also useful. The organisation is a flexible employer and although the role is ultimately permanent they welcome applicants wishing to be considered on a part-time basis as part of a job share, and will also consider candidates on a shorter term fixed term contract basis if this is preferable to a permanent contract initially.

Please note, it is expected that staff adhere to a vegan lifestyle as much as possible.

Typical duties will include:

-Work closely with the sales team and raise invoices in accordance with the sales process.

-Support the credit control function and chase outstanding payments for renewals and new business.

-Provide up-to-date debtor ledger reports as required.

-Process invoices and expenses for payment ensuring adherence to internal purchase policies and procedures.

-Provide support and guidance to staff members and chase outstanding documentation to ensure correct processes are always followed.

-On a weekly basis, process supplier payments and staff expenses online ready for authorisation.

-Support the reconciliation of bank accounts, credit cards, merchant platforms and aggregators.

-Maintain responsibility of designated balance sheet codes and assist with the preparation of month-end reporting.

-Ensure balance sheets are kept up to date in readiness for year-end and annual audit.

-Work closely with the Finance Manager and support the Auditor during the annual financial audit.

-Assist with the development of financial policies, streamline processes, production of working instructions and training materials.

-Support the development of financial business critical systems and processes to increase efficiency and improve user journeys.

-Investigate, report and where necessary make improvements to minimise non-compliance to ensure robust policies and procedures.

-Support the Finance Manager and make suggestions for continuous improvement of systems and processes to support business requirements.

-Support the management of the finance mailboxes and respond to emails in a timely manner.

-Act as the first point of contact and provide timely responses to internal and external stakeholders, customers and suppliers by email and over the telephone.

Candidate requirements:

-AAT part or fully-qualified

-Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a customer service environment.

-Good working knowledge of day-to-day transactional finance, including all aspects of purchase and sales ledger, credit control, bank reconciliation, balance sheet reconciliation and journal entries.

-A working knowledge of VAT.

-Excellent customer service skills.

-Experience of using accounting software – Sage Cloud /Sage Intact desirable

-Knowledge and experience of working with databases and CRM systems.

-An understanding of charity finance is desirable but not essential

Closing date: Thursday 25th April

Interviews: W/c 29th April

Please send your CV for further consideration.

Are you looking for a position to get you on the Finance career ladder? Are you already working in Finance but wish to take on a role that looks at all areas of the day to day running of a Charity?

Would you thrive as a pivotal member of a small team supporting vibrant communities for older people to live independently?

Look no further.

Abbeyfield Southern Oaks is a small but growing charity that aims to enhance the quality of life for older people through supported independent living, providing companionship and social interaction to diminish the effects of loneliness and isolation.

We have created this role to support both our sheltered houses and our 60 Apartment, Independent Living property , Nonsuch Abbeyfield, in Ewell, where this post is based.

We are looking for a reliable, organised Finance Assistant to take ownership of the day-to-day transactional finance. You will need to have a positive attitude, a desire to work as efficiently as possible, and excellent communication skills. If you enjoy establishing your own organisational systems, we are excited to talk with you. We are looking for someone who can operate effectively with little or no supervision and who can manage multiple tasks at once without becoming overwhelmed.

Why should you join Abbeyfield Southern Oaks?

· Starting salary £24,000 per annum

· 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

· NEST pension scheme, 3% employer contribution

· Study support will be considered

If your skills match and you would like to be part of a dynamic and caring team, please submit your CV with covering letter highlighting how you meet the job description and person specification.

Please note that, for safeguarding purposes, all our roles require an enhanced DBS check.

We will be shortlisting as applications are received

The NI is looking for its next Events Officer to oversee the setting up and online booking of a range of events – mainly conferences and dinners – as well as overseeing the subscriptions to its Journal. The role is a busy one and the person recruited with require good experience with events booking CRMs as well as working with volunteers and other team members in a small team.

Responsibilities

Main duties include:

Manage all event bookings administration, including:

o Set up of online booking for events through CRM

o Set up and maintain webpages for each event through CMS adding sponsor logos and additional information as required.

o Ensuring invoices for events are issued and paid, updating any on CRM that were issued manually including sponsorship events

o Ensuring relevant communications such as joining instructions are circulated to attendees

o Issue sponsorship contracts, invoices and monitor payments of same

o Providing support for delivery of events including producing delegate lists, dietary requirements etc

o Liaising with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure all events run smoothly.

Manage the admin and event email inboxes, answering all queries in a timely and professional fashion; forwarding queries to colleagues as appropriate where outside your area of expertise.

Assist in maintaining the CRM to ensure data quality eg by removing duplicates, amending incorrect details, updating information and resolving login issues.

Work closely with the Branch Representatives and the Marketing and Communications Manager to set up all events including paid-for and free-to-attend, plus any external suppliers where necessary.

Manage all journal subscriptions including renewals and responding to subscription enquiries.

Actively recruit new subscribers for Nuclear Future.

Manage credit control for events and journal subscriptions and actively work to manage debtors ensuring all invoices are paid.

Undertake any ad-hoc tasks as directed by the CEO to ensure a smooth-running organisation.

Skills and Experience

Essential

Strong IT, written and verbal communication skills

Knowledge of database and/or events administration

Strong time management and organisation skills; ability to manage projects to deadlines and to manage a number of tasks simultaneously and autonomously

A confident attitude, willingness to learn and enthusiasm to take on new tasks as needed

Attention to detail

Experience of working with volunteers is desirable.

Salary: £28-31,000

Benefits: 25 days’ leave + one day’s birthday leave, optional compressed working scheme (9-day fortnight), pension, private medical cover and death in service benefit.

Reporting to: CEO

Location: the NI has no office so the successful candidate will work from home. They will be expected to travel to London once a month for team meetings and there may be other very occasional travel around UK as required.

Type of role: This is designed as a permanent full-time role but previously has been performed as a part-time role which could work again.

How to apply: CV and covering email/letter by 24 April 2024. The NI strives to be an equal opportunities employer so please also complete our EDI monitoring form and return this separately.

• Drive financial excellence in a dynamic £20m charity
• Shape strategic growth and robust finance controls in a leadership role

About Our Client

Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) is a charity that provides employment, support, housing and care to the British Armed Forces community.

There is a circa £20 million turnover and 300 employees spread over the UK and Scotland.

Job Description

The purpose of this role is to

• This is an exciting opportunity to join this reputable British charity and optimise financial performance within the RBLI's finance function.
• Take a proactive approach, supporting colleagues to achieve budgets and performance targets across the charity.
• Contribute to the strategic and business planning process to ensure a strong financial future for the organisation.
• Ensure good finance controls are implemented and rigorous financial reporting is in place.
• Support the Heads of Finance to establish 'business partner' relationships with 4 Operational Divisions.

Finance

• Provide expertise to the Board of Trustees in all accounting and financial areas as part of a mutually supportive Senior Leadership Team.
• Prepare and present finance Board papers on a quarterly basis.
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure operational performance and financial targets are met.
• Lead on the monthly financial reviews to ensure we exercise rigorous financial control to optimise performance.
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to push forward revenue opportunities and initiatives to drive cost efficiencies.
• Ensure the finance team has the right skills, processes, controls to ensure all aspects including purchase ledger, credit control, payroll and reporting work effectively.
• Overall responsibility for the preparation and completion of the annual budget for all divisions within the Company
• Control investment portfolio and short-term deposits and plan and manage the charity's tax liabilities under existing and proposed legislation. Evaluate the tax liability impact of contemplated courses of action
• Oversee the management of staff payroll and other benefits (Company Cars, private health scheme etc) including expenses
• Manage all pension activities
• Overall responsibility for the preparation of annual accounts. Ensure a satisfactory audit of these accounts and other interim accounts as may be required
• Analyse commercial elements of tenders and bids as required and advise on commercial viability of each proposal before tender or bid is submitted
• Overall responsibility for the procurement of goods and services across the organisation to achieve efficiencies.

Leadership and People Management

• Promote a highly visible leadership profile that incorporates our commitment to equality of opportunity, professionalism and quality standards
• Maintain an effective system of communication across the division, that ensures key information can be cascaded to staff effectively
• Together with the Senior Leadership Team ensure that business objectives are clearly understood across the organisation and that divisional activities support their achievement.
• Establish an effective methodology for managing performance of staff in order to support the achievement of business objectives
• Establish effective and productive relationships with all members of the Senior Leadership Team in order to deliver business excellence
• Encourage partnership working and cooperation pan RBLI.

The Successful Applicant

• Experienced Financial Director
• Significant experience at senior management level, with substantial budgetary responsibility and a proven track record of achievement in at least two relevant service areas
• Fully CIMA, ACA or ACCA qualified
• Financial accounting experience of financial management in a commercial or not for profit organisation
• Solution oriented with a proven ability to successfully deliver in a complex environment
• Exceptional people leadership skills with a proven ability to motivate, develop and inspire people to deliver outstanding performance
• Experience of successfully working at senior level with Boards and Committees
• Up-to-date knowledge of legislative frameworks, regulatory requirements and key issues relevant to the post
• IT literate (Microsoft Office)

What's on Offer

This role is based in Aylesford in Kent.

Salary will be £100K - £120k plus benefits.

Closing date 26th April 2024.

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Page Executive.

Field Lane Job Description

Job Title: Senior Finance Coordinator

Salary: £37,500 plus Study Assistance

Responsible To: Finance Manager

Hours: 35 Hours per Week

Annual Leave: 25 days per annum

Location: Head Office – London Near Victoria

Job Purpose

To manage the day-to-day accounting and financial tasks, ensuring accurate recording of financial transactions, and providing support in the preparation of financial reports. This includes processing of both purchase and sales invoices and the reconciliation of the books of prime entry. You will assist senior members of the finance team at month end and year end.

Main Duties

1. Go through relevant financial procedures as necessary with new staff.

2. Set up and train new starters on the purchase order system.

3. Review and post all monthly petty cash and prepaid card returns per the management accounts timetable.

4. Maintain the Purchase Ledger making any changes necessary such as name and bank details with the necessary correct documentation.

5. Maintain the Sales Ledger making any changes necessary such as name and bank details with the necessary correct documentation.

6. To clear accounts payable queries daily

7. Answer queries via telephone and e-mail relating to creditors and payment of invoices.

8. Reconcile monthly the balances on the creditor ledger and supplier statements.

9. Prepare BACS run with supporting documentation

10. Document processes used in the Finance function to support the ongoing development of the department and ensure that potential efficiencies are maximised.

11. Support the of Director of Finance with the Business Partnering approach to non finance colleagues.

12. Reconciling the Aged Debt report at month end to the General Ledger ensuring all payments are allocated and providing notes on any outstanding debt and action being taken for recovery.

13. Collecting Payment and managing the credit control function for both Field Lane and Fun.

14. Ensuring all Fee invoices are properly raised accurately for all Client Services

15. Ensure all rent and service charges are billed accurately.

16. To act as a point of reference for guardians when it comes to invoices queries and rent and service charge increases.

17. Produce weekly report showing voids per project and distribute to senior management team.

18. Produce monthly analysis showing the fees received compared with fees expected by client and to raise any adverse variances with the director of finance.

General

· Complying with Field Lane’s policies and procedures at all times.

· Covering and supporting other members of the team as necessary.

· Attending and participating in team meetings and other meetings as required.

· Being proactive in reflecting on own performance and identifying and acting upon areas for improvement and development.

· Undertaking as required any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by your line manager or other senior colleagues.

Person Specification

We need you to provide a covering letter to give evidence with supporting examples of how you meet the requirements in each point listed below.

Experience

· A formal finance qualification, or evidence of a significant period of study towards one.

· Experience of databases for the purposes of inputting and extracting information, report writing and design

· A proactive attitude

· To have demonstrable experience of working across multiple financial disciplines within a busy finance department

· Liaising with banks & auditors.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

· Willingness to undertake training and continuing professional development.

· Advanced experience of Excel spreadsheets skills including the use of and knowledge of complex formulae set-ups.

· Ability to plan, manage and organise own workload.

· Good interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate with staff at all levels across all departments.

· Team working.

· Computer literate, including Word, Excel, and Microsoft Office.

· Excellent written and numeracy skills.

· Sound analytical skills and the ability to apply those skills to problem solving.

· Adaptable to different situations

· Positive attitude towards disability.

· Commitment to the principles of equal opportunities and diversity

We are seeking an enthusiatic candidate to take overall operational management and administrative responsibility for internal and external venue bookings, principally at St George's Centre and St George's Church Leeds. With support for the Events Coordinators at other venues in Leeds for which St George's Church has responsibility (currently Holy Trinity Boar Lane and St Augustine's Wrangthorn). 

Arthritis Action is seeking an enthusiastic, organised and adaptable Office Administrator to join our team and ensure the smooth running of our office.

This is a varied and integral role providing administrative support to Arthritis Action’s Finance, Executive Management, Services Teams and Trustees, working under the supervision of the Operations Manager.  

Your role will provide day to day operational assistance in our London office including: meeting and diary management, writing minutes and providing admin support across the Charity. Liaison with the landlord and office suppliers, assist with finance including processing direct debits, staff credit cards and supplier invoices and compiling monthly reports. You will also be the first port of call for incoming calls and manage incoming/outgoing post and IT administration.

Key Responsibilities – the role will include but not be restricted to:

• Providing admin support to the Finance, Executive Management and Services Teams
• Ensuring smooth running of the office and troubleshooting issues that arise

Office & Executive Admin

• Support CEO with scheduling meetings, database entries and diary management
• Support with administration of Committee & Trustee meetings, and writing minutes
• Provide admin support for the Executive Management Team
• Responsible for premises troubleshooting, arranging minor repairs, cleaners, and refurbishment
• Liaise with landlord and office contacts where necessary
• Deal with incoming and external post and franking machine.
• IT administration

Finance

• Process staff credit card transactions
• Set up and process all direct debits and reconcile with monthly reports from the Direct Debit supplier
• Upload invoices, donations and other transactions, and file supplier invoices
• Other ad hoc finance tasks

Services & Team Support

• Be the first point of contact for incoming telephone calls to Arthritis Action
• Organise monthly team meetings and write the minutes
• Respond to research requests

Other Activities

• Other tasks relevant to the level of this post may be asked of you

About Arthritis Action

Our vision is for people to live active lives, free from the impact of arthritis. We want to empower people with arthritis to take control of their lives, manage their condition and reduce the need for medical intervention.

Founded in 1942, Arthritis Action is the only UK charity giving hands-on, practical help to combat the pain of arthritis through self-management and lifestyle advice. We offer people with arthritis a holistic self-management approach, looking at both the physical and mental aspects of arthritis.

Our self-management approach encompasses a wide array of services, including personal dietary and nutritional advice, and access to physical therapies with approved practitioners. We also offer people in various communities the opportunity to take part in self-management events and online groups. Through our approach, we help people with arthritis gain the knowledge and confidence to manage their condition themselves, and enjoy a more active life with less pain.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
EXPERIENCE & SKILLS
Competent in Microsoft Office packages - Essential
Experience in delivering strong customer service - Essential
Excellent verbal and written communications skills - Essential
Efficient organisational and time management skills - Essential
Experience of supporting an Executive Team and writing minutes - Essential
Experience of working in the Charity sector - Desirable
Experience of managing a database/CRM - Desirable

ATTRIBUTES
Excellent customer service and inter-personal skills - Essential
A self-starter, able to work on own initiative where required - Essential
Enthusiastic team-player with a can-do attitude  - Essential

How to Apply:
Applications should be in the form of a CV with a covering letter explaining your interest in and suitability
for the role. Please provide both email and telephone contact information for yourself. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applications should be received by 23:59 on Wednesday 24 April 2024 at the latest.
First-round interviews will be held in the London office (56 Buckingham Gate). 
Second-round interviews will be held over Zoom. Date tbc.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the deadline should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

Arthritis Action is an equal opportunities employer. We treat employees and job applicants in the same
way regardless of age, disability, marital status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic
origin, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

Galop - Treasurer
Galop is seeking a new Treasurer to oversee the charity's finances and risk management by working closely with the previous Treasurer (who will remain on the Board) along with the Financial Controller.

About Galop:
Galop is the UK's LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, working with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence. Run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, the needs of the community are at the centre of everything they do.

· Financial & Risk management oversight

• Maintain an overview of the charity’s financial affairs.
• Offer guidance to the Board of Trustees and the CEO on all financial matters. 
• Ensure the charity’s statutory financial viability. 

· Financial reporting and analysis

• Oversee, approve, and present annual budgets, financial statements, and quarterly management accounts. 
• Scrutinise related party transactions (e.g. CEO expenses, Credit card activity) 
• Present annual accounts to the Board at the AGM

· Financial planning and compliance

• Oversee, approve, and present annual budgets, financial statements, and quarterly management accounts.
• Scrutinise related party transactions (e.g. CEO expenses, Credit card activity)
• Present annual accounts to the Board at the AGM 

How to Apply:
Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to Galop on this appointment. If you believe your values align with those of Galop and you are keen to be pivotal in driving the organisation's strategic vision, then we would love to hear from you.

To receive the full recruitment pack, which has the details about this role and how to apply, please send your CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People

Timeline:
Q&A Webinar hosted by Galop, where they will share further insights and answer any additional questions you may have. Please register your interest in attending this webinar with your consultant and we will send you a link:

Webinar: 17th April 18:00
Closing date for applications: 9th May
First round interview: w/c 20th May
Final interview w/c 27th May

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities with which we work.

Job Title: Finance and Operations Manager

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week (however, we will consider part-time 28 hours per week)

Salary: £38,000 - £45,000 per annum 

Location: The successful candidate will either be posted at our office in London or Colchester: Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ or Colchester Wellington House, 4th Floor, 90-92 Butt Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3DA

About Coram

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

One of the nine members of the Coram group, Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) is the UK’s specialist centre for children’s rights in education, immigration, community care and family law, and provides significant international legal systems consultancy. The centre is located on the Coram Campus in central London with bases in Colchester and Leeds. We champion access to justice through information and advice, legal practice and representation, policy and strategic litigation. Our Legal Practice Unit provides advice and representation primarily under legal aid contract. Our Migrant Children’s Project promotes the rights of refugee and migrant children, young people and families through the delivery of advice, practice change through training and capacity building to professionals and systems change through research, policy and advocacy.

About the role

This role will provide financial and operational leadership and management for CCLC particularly focussed on the Legal Practice Unit and the Migrant Children’s Project but with support for the Child Law Advice Service and Coram International where required. Managing a small finance team, the role will hold primary responsibility for core financial functions within CCLC including legal aid billing and management and tracking of grant and other charitable funding. Through systematic and efficient financial management, the post holder will play a pivotal role in CCLC’s financial sustainability. The role will act as a key point of contact with Coram’s central finance team and a range of internal and external stakeholders on financial matters.

The role will also oversee the smooth running of the London and Colchester offices through line management of operations and administrative staff.

The role would suit a high organised and efficient business support professional with experience of financial management within the legal or charity sector. In particular, candidates with experience of legal billing and more specifically, civil legal aid billing, would be welcomed.

This is a largely office-based role in order to fully provide support to the finance and operations team. However, some remote / hybrid working may be possible depending the experience of the candidate after the initial settling in period (to be negotiated with the successful candidate).The finance team are split between the London and Colchester offices and the post holder should expect some travel to both locations. The large majority of the legal and policy team are based in London and as such regular (at least twice weekly) presence in our London office will be expected. However, on other days the candidate could be based in the London or Colchester office.

Whilst this is a full-time position, we will consider requests for part-time working (28 hours per week minimum) and we will endeavour to offer some flexibility with days and hours to be agreed.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing date: Wednesday 24th April 2024 at 23:59

Test and Interview date: Week commencing Monday 29th April 2024

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from, Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

The Role

This role will ensure the organisation is following robust financial systems and processes; carry out all day-to-day accounting tasks; and ensure timely production of financial information to inform management decisions. Most tasks can be done from home, however some tasks such as banking and petty cash reconciliation will require you to attend our offices. Once the initial training is complete you will be able to arrange your own hours, to be worked Monday to Friday.

This role is for a fixed period of 12 months, to cover maternity leave.

About You

A proven track record of relevant financial administration experience is essential and competence in the use of Xero accounting software, Excel and other MS packages such as word and Outlook is essential. You will have an organised approach to workload and ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines, be flexible and adapt to the requirements of the role. You must be able to clearly convey financial information to non-finance colleagues.

This role would suit someone looking to increase their experience of working within the charity sector as part of a busy and friendly finance team, perhaps whilst studying to complete AAT Level 4 or similar.

The Margins Project, Union Chapel’s Frontline charity, work with people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness and helps address pertinent social justice issues these communities face.

The charity runs three integrated programmes:

• a community drop-in programme providing access to nutritious hot meals, and limited access to showers & laundry services.

• advice and engagement programme providing one-to-one as well as group advice service on benefits and housing, and onward referrals to pertinent services.

• support employment programme offers a paid catering training to 10 people who have had experience of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, and or imprisonment.

Our range of services are designed to help guests (service users) at varying stages, from having no roof over their head to getting back into employment.

This role offers an opportunity for an experienced adviser to help shape and evolve Margins services. Experiences on the ground at the drop-in programme inform the charity’s strategic direction. The role will involve expanding our partner network to link into pertinent statutory and other charitable organisations that provide services that will help our guests with their housing, substance misuse, recidivism, and mental health challenges.

We work closely with people on an individual case work basis to get guests off the streets, into hostels or temporary accommodation where possible, and work with private and social landlords on a range of issues. We support and represent the people we work with on the phone and in person, including at the council, the doctors, the job centre, and benefits tribunals.

Our drop-ins run on Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00am to 1:00pm where attendance is currently from 65 to 75 guests. The advice and engagement worker works more intensively with smaller numbers of up to 20. The demand for more follow up work and advocacy support has been increasing over the last two years and this in-house advice worker is critical for this demand.

Working collaboratively with the Drop-in Community worker (currently vacant), the head chef, and a small group of dedicated volunteers, you will be responsible for the support of a caseload of guests, some with complex needs, and will undertake key work responsibilities including registering the guests, identifying their housing, benefit and personal needs and conducting all necessary follow ups including occasional advocacy support, where deemed necessary.

Job Title: ADVICE AND ENGAGEMENT WORKER

Responsible to: Head of Margins

Location: Margins Offices at Union Chapel, Islington, London

Salary: £32,500 - £35,000

Terms: Full time 37.5 hours per week with 1 hour unpaid for lunch.

Three-month probation, two months’ notice.

23 days annual leave + bank holidays. Workplace pension scheme (NEST)

Start date: May 2024

Purpose of Job:

• To advise and assist guests (service users) with benefit claims and related issues, e.g., Housing Benefit, DLA, PIP, Income Support, ESA, Universal Credit, and other benefits. In particular, assisting them to claim Housing Benefit and UC to reduce risk of rent arrears.

• To develop significant contact and liaison with comparable housing and benefits advice organisations.

• To encourage guests engage with Margins activities, and where practicable, with the wider Union Chapel activities.

• To develop, facilitate and deliver group advice workshops/training programmes and open discussions forums to engage guests who historically do not engage with Union Chapel.

• To Refer Margins guests to relevant internal and external services.

• In liaison with the head of Margins and the chef to refer potential candidates to Margins’ Supported Employment Programme.

The Advice and Engagement Worker will have an active role in identifying and engaging guests as well as referring potential candidates to the Supported Employment Programme, a programme anticipated to expand beyond its current services in Margins catering.

Responsible For:

• Working with caseload of guests

• With the support of drop-in services community worker (currently vacant) to ensure the smooth running of the drop-in services

• Identifying opportunities to improve services both at a project and organisational level.

• Assist the Head of Margins in ensuring that the Margins Project remains GDPR compliant.

• Represent the organisation effectively internally and externally.

• Working in partnership with statutory and other charities to deliver co-ordinated support to guests.

• Identify relevant training opportunities in capacity building.

• Initial liaison with and acting as the first referral contact for the Supported Employment Programme

Key Duties:

• To encourage and assist guests achieve the maximum income from benefits to which they are entitled to, and to refer to relevant support services such as mental health, social services, community support.

• To advise guests on basic budgeting and where applicable to refer to Tenancy Support Officers or outside agencies for more complex help.

• To liaise closely with local authorities, social, and private landlords to try to achieve the best outcome for our guests.

• To identify if the guest is accessioning the right benefit that will support their long-term wellbeing.

• To support newly arrived refugees with their housing and benefit advice needs.

• To actively assist guests with formal appeals against Local Authority, DWP and HMRC decisions regarding benefit entitlement. Representing at Appeal Tribunals.

• To signpost guests to resources that can assist them in finding work.

• When needed, signposting guests to specialist providers in mental health or drug and alcohol support services.

• To Support guests on paying their rent, including providing advice on benefits and debt management.

• To Address breaches of occupancy agreements and develop strategies that would prevent and avoid eviction.

• To assist guests with backdated claims for Benefit by supporting their applications through to completion.

• To ensure all guests’ files are up-to-date and that data is captured on our management system.

• To provide written reports and statistics as and when requested.

• To attend supervision, training, and meetings as and when required.

• To provide advocacy support to guests as and when required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• Good knowledge of the benefits system, including Universal Credit.

• Experience of working with homeless and marginalised people and understanding of the issues that face them.

• Experience of working or collaborating with people with mental health issues.

• Experience of working with refugees and their needs.

• Ability to manage challenging behaviours.

• Embrace a strength-based approach.

• A clear understanding of professional boundaries.

• A knowledge of the best practice in Safeguarding Adult procedures.

• Excellent written and oral communication skill.

• Ability to work proactively as part of a team.

• Ability to plan, manage and action follow-ups on time and manage and contain workload.

• Proficient in IT skills and competence in Microsoft Office applications.

• Committed to personal and professional development through ongoing training.

Desirable:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of providing advice to vulnerable groups

• Experience of delivering provision for the benefit of vulnerable backgrounds

Equal Opportunities:

• Ensure consistent and effective implementation of Union Chapel Equal Opportunities & Diversity policy and procedures.

• Positively promote an environment which respects and values the diversity of staff, volunteers, and Guests.

This is a guide to the nature of the work required of the Advice and Engagement Worker. It is therefore not comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed with the postholder and the line manager from time to time. The post holder may undertake any other reasonable duties within the capabilities and scope of the post as specified by their line manager. In such circumstances appropriate training will be provided.

How to apply

Please apply with your CV and a support statement, both no more than two pages, outlining your skills and experiences to meet the criteria of the role, why you want to work for Union Chapel Project and your availability to start with “Advice and Engagement Worker” in the subject line. Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Form.

Closing date: Tuesday 30 April 2024, 8am

Interviews will take place w/c 13 May 2024