Job title: Finance Officer
Reports to: Head of Finance
Location: Birmingham or Manchester
Salary: £26,000 - £30,000
Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), open to flexible working.
Contract: Permanent
Overall purpose
As the Finance Officer, you will be required to ensure that our income and expenditure records are accurate, complete, free from error and comply with both the relevant accounting standards as well as donor restrictions. This role will play a key part in ensuring that the recording of financial information is compliant and auditable, in both the finance system and CRM.
You will also work alongside the Head of Finance to support the wider organisation in its financial understanding and management. This support will focus on both the fundraising team to empower them to raise as many funds as possible, especially unrestricted funds, and the services team to ensure their financial processes are robust and efficient. You will also be expected to contribute to and uphold our outstanding culture by living and demonstrating our values of being mission-led, welcoming, entrepreneurial and collaborative.
Key responsibilities
Finance responsibilities
- Record all income and expenditure general ledger transactions in the finance system, ensuring correct coding and full supporting documentation is stored in either the finance system or in the CRM.
- Have ownership of both the sales ledger and purchase ledger, ensuring all entries are recorded accurately with the correct VAT treatment while adhering to the relevant controls.
- Ensure all staff and client expenses are captured and recorded accurately, adhere to the relevant expense policy and are paid in a timely manner.
- Prepare and post payment runs alongside the Head of Finance
- Support the Financial Accountant in the monthly bank reconciliation
- Participate in month end processes to ensure the I&E figure is accurate within the pre-determined deadline, including posting prepayments, deferrals and accruals where relevant and other accounting adjustments as needed such as grossing up of platform fees.
- Ensure all finance documentation is complete and auditable including restricted fund evidence, and ensure the relevant GAUs are tracked on salesforce.
- Capture all restricted fund income and expenditure is the finance system on a monthly basis (staff and non-staff) alongside the Financial Accountant and Head of Finance
- Understand clawback risk on grants
- Ensure Breaking Barriers is claiming gift aid where applicable and optimising opportunities to reclaim input VAT in our business/non-business VAT return
- Reconciling to third party platforms on a monthly basis including fundraising platforms and Equals
- Work with the Head of Finance to upskill the fundraising and service teams to ensure they understand necessary financial processes
- Undertake income and expenditure control activities e.g. checking for grant rejection letters and verifying changes to supplier details.
- Be the finance team’s superuser for the CRM
- Support in year-end audit and the creation of relevant notes
- Support with ad hoc projects such as the implementation of a new finance system and policy and procedure updates
Technology
- Support the Financial Accountant, Finance Director and outsourced technology provider as needed for ongoing technology support and occasional projects.
Office and facilities management
- Support the financial team and any applicable offices as needed for ongoing office and facility management
Cross-cutting
- Ensure staff are effectively onboarded and our knowledge management processes ensure that required information on the finance and ops processes is accessible and understood
To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack when you click 'Apply'.
Other considerations
- As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
- We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.
Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.
How to apply
If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a statement of interest (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:
- Why you are interested in the role
- What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
- Any experience you would like to highlight
- Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process
- Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role).
Closing date for applications is Sunday 16 November at 11:30pm.
We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Network, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and /or are from a refugee background. Please feel free to use information and resources found here, which may help in preparing your job application.
If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for independent and confidential support with your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager, Caroline Meechan for further details. You can find contact details on the final page of this recruitment pack.
We are open to flexible working arrangements and alternative working patterns.
If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a statement of interest (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:
• Why you are interested in the role
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
• Any experience you would like to highlight
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process
• Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role).
Breaking Barriers exists so that every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We have an exciting opportunity for a content creator and social media expert, with a focus and interest in shortform video content, who thrives on planning, creating and delivering high quality content.
This is an exciting time to join an expanding social media team. The successful candidate will be working across two charity brands, Rethink Mental Illness and its partner charity Mental Health UK.
This is an agile role, working a minimum of two days a week from the London office, offering flexible working and some amazing benefits!
Position: Digital Content Creator
Location: Agile (required to work from the London office a minimum of 2 days a week)
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week (flexible working available)
Salary: £30,880 (£33,880 inclusive of London Allowance)
Contract: Permanent
The Role
The objectives of the Communications and Campaigns team are to increase the public profiles of Rethink Mental Illness and Mental Health UK, mobilise public support to bring about change and ensure that all colleagues are aware of, bought into and engaged in contributing to the values and direction of the charities.
A natural storyteller, you will have a talent for creating shortform video content that engages key audiences across our social media platforms. By generating ideas and making them happen, sourcing contributors, shooting and editing footage, you will monitor the performance of posts and proactively incorporate best practice to ensure that content is well received by audiences, and that the charities’ presence on its social media channels grows.
You will regularly collaborate with colleagues across both charities, the other founding charities and key partners to create compelling and inspiring content.
Main duties include:
- Creating shortform video content
- Project manage the production of video content for social media campaigns
- Ensure that the charity showcases its advice, information, programmes and services through shortform content.
- Champion and promote the brands, including their tone of voice, in our creative content.
- Working with the Social Media Manager, plan for and produces engaging content for relevant awareness events, including Mental Health Awareness Week in May and World Mental Health Day in October.
- Analyse the performance of video content
- Help the team keep up with social media trends, spotting opportunities
About You
A content creator and social media expert you will have experience of planning, shooting and editing footage to engage audiences across different social media platforms and of using creative design software (Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere Pro - essential). With an eye for detail, you will use your project management skills to analyse the performance of social media content, refining and improving content through iteration.
You will also have experience of:
- Writing and editing copy to suit different audiences and providing updates and briefings at meetings.
- Being a brand guardian and supporting others to use brand and tone of voice guidelines.
- Planning, creating and scheduling engaging content across multiple social media channels, while optimising content by channel and audience.
About the Organisation
Rethink Mental Illness is the leading charity provider of mental health services in England that supports thousands of people through groups, services, campaigns and advice and information. This work supports the organisation in delivering its mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”
Mental Health UK, Rethink Mental Illness’ charity partner, challenges the causes of poor mental health and provides people with the tools they need to live their best possible life at home, school and work.
In everything the charity does, it seeks to demonstrate the values: Passion, Equity, Commitment, Openness, Hope, Expertise and Understanding. If these values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you.
What will you receive?
You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your abilities with the opportunity to make a real difference every day. In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including funded training, career development, and a range of e-learning courses.
You will also receive:
- Employer funded pension
- Flexible working
- Life assurance
- Eye care vouchers
- Training opportunities
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 plus Bank Holidays
- Rewards, benefits and recognition platform
- Employee assistance programme
- Your birthday off
- Plus many more great benefits…
“It feels very rewarding to be part of such a meaningful Organisation where everyone is valued and has the opportunity to make a difference” Current staff member
We actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
You may also have experience in areas such as Digital, Content, Digital Content, Marketing, Digital Officer, Content Officer, Digital Content Officer, Marketing Office, Content Creator, Digital Content Creator, Campaign Officer, Video Content, Online Content, Social Media Content Creator.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.
Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation
We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
We’re Rethink Mental Illness and no matter how bad things are, we can help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About us
CSE is a national charity based in Bristol with a clear mission: to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes. We believe in a future where everyone can live in a warm, healthy home powered by a fair and sustainable energy system, and we work with people, organisations and communities to help make that a reality. We collaborate across teams and disciplines to deliver practical change, and we’re proud of our independence, integrity and commitment to social justice. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we want CSE to be an outstanding place to work, one where colleagues feel supported, included, and empowered to make a difference.
The role
Would you like to be part of a small, collaborative HR team that supports the people driving CSE’s mission to tackle the climate emergency and end fuel poverty? We are looking for a proactive, organised and values-driven HR Officer to join our busy HR team. This is a hands-on role at the heart of our operations, supporting around 150 staff and 60 line managers across the employee lifecycle.
As HR Officer, you will provide practical, people-focused support from recruitment and onboarding through to contract changes, benefits administration, and leaver processes. You will act as the first point of contact for HR queries, helping colleagues and managers to apply policies effectively, use systems confidently, and follow processes that are consistent and people-centred.You will also play a key role in maintaining accurate information across systems such as Employment Hero, SharePoint HR Intranet and Monday, ensuring data is compliant and well managed. Working closely with the Senior HR Manager and Senior HR Advisor, you will contribute to improving how HR supports staff, helping to strengthen processes, enhance systems and create a positive employee experience.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys getting the detail right, solving problems and improving the way things work. You will be part of a small, friendly team where HR systems and processes are evolving, so you will need to be comfortable balancing daily operational work with helping to shape clearer, more efficient ways of working.
Who you are
You are motivated by the opportunity to deliver reliable, people-focused HR support that helps staff across CSE do their best work. You take pride in being organised and accurate, and you are keen to develop your skills and confidence in a supportive, purpose-led environment.
You will bring:
- Some experience in HR or people-focused support, with an understanding of HR processes and a basic knowledge of UK employment law, and a willingness to continue learning.
- Confidence managing day-to-day HR queries, preparing contracts and letters, and maintaining accurate employee records.
- Strong digital and administrative skills, including experience using HR systems, spreadsheets and Office 365 (especially Word and Excel).
- Excellent organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to take ownership of routine processes.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain HR information clearly and sensitively.
- A collaborative mindset and alignment with CSE’s values, championing inclusion, fairness and wellbeing at work.
What we offer
Working at CSE means being part of a supportive, purpose-driven team, where your skills contribute to real social and environmental change. We offer:
Salary: Scale D (£28,124 - £33,688).
Pension: 8% employer / 6% employee.
Holiday: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
Benefits:
o TOIL programme and flexibility to support work–life balance
o A commitment to supporting your role progression and continued development
o Health Cash Plan
o Life Assurance
o Enhanced sick pay, maternity pay, adoption pay
o Access to retail discounts and discounted breakdown cover
o Employee Assistance Programme
o Staff activities like yoga at lunch and a book club
o Tech Scheme
o Cycle to Work Scheme
Our culture and values
At CSE, our values shape how we work together and with others.
- Commitment to our mission
- Collaboration
- Conscientiousness
- Initiative
Application procedure
To apply, please complete CSE’s application form. Applications should clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the person specification outlined in the job description.
Application deadline: 10:00 on Tuesday 25 November 2025.
Applications should be sent by:
- Email
or, - Post - Reception, Centre for Sustainable Energy, St James Court, St James Parade, Bristol BS1 3LH
If you require any reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment process, please let us know and we’ll be happy to accommodate your needs.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.