Finance Officer

The Finance Officer will play a key role in maintaining strong financial controls, ensuring data accuracy, and supporting the effective stewardship of resources across the organisation.

Key responsibilities:

Financial Operations

•         Act as the first point of contact for finance-related queries, responding or escalating as appropriate 

•         Contribute to the effective day-to-day financial operations across the Church and associated entities 

•         Process and accurately record income and expenditure transactions in line with internal processes 

•         Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready financial records 

•         Support the handling, recording, and secure processing of cash and cheque income in line with established procedures 

•         Prepare and arrange the banking of funds, ensuring accurate reconciliation to financial records 

•         Support financial processes across multiple related entities, including appropriate allocation of income and costs 

•         Process and reconcile inter-entity transactions where required 

•         Investigate and resolve discrepancies, escalating issues where appropriate 

Income, Giving, & Donor Administration

•         Administer all income streams, including donations, events, and charitable and commercial activities 

•         Maintain accurate records of donor giving and ensure appropriate allocation of funds 

•         Process Gift Aid claims in compliance with relevant regulations and maintain supporting documentation 

•         Reconcile giving records with bank and system data, investigating and resolving discrepancies 

•         Support donor communications, including responding to queries and preparing giving statements and related communications 

Accounts Payable & Receivable

•         Process supplier invoices, staff and volunteer expenses, and other payments in a timely manner 

•         Ensure all transactions are appropriately authorised and coded in line with financial controls 

•         Support the preparation and execution of payment runs 

•         Raise invoices and manage incoming payments, including monitoring outstanding balances and following up where necessary

•         Prepare and process payments, including international transactions where required, ensuring accuracy and appropriate authorization.

Financial Controls & Compliance

•         Maintain and apply financial controls, including approval processes and expense policies 

•         Support fraud prevention measures, including verification of payment details and appropriate segregation of duties 

•         Ensure compliance with charity finance requirements, including Gift Aid and restricted fund management 

•         Maintain accurate and audit-ready financial records and supporting documentation 

•         Maintain appropriate controls over cash handling and banking processes 

•         Support the integrity and accuracy of financial data across systems

Month-End & Reporting Support
 

•         Assist with period-end processes, including reconciliations and preparation of supporting schedules 

•         Prepare draft financial reports and summaries for review by the Finance Manager 

•         Provide basic analysis and commentary on financial performance where appropriate 

•         Monitor bank balances and support cashflow awareness through regular updates and reporting 

Systems & Process Improvement

•         Use financial and related systems effectively to maintain data accuracy and efficiency 

•         Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, and internal controls 

•         Support the implementation of new systems or process improvements where required 

General Support

·       Provide administrative and operational support to the Finance Manager as required

·       Contribute to the continuous improvement of the finance function

·       Undertake other duties appropriate to the role

Christian Faith and Culture

•           Will clearly live out, embrace and impart the culture of New Life Church through being Honouring, Courageous, Compassionate and Generous.

•           Clearly demonstrate a heart and passion for the church and the city

•           Sincere acceptance, understanding and practice of the Christian ethos and purpose of the charity.

•           Willingness and ability to communicate their own story of their faith journey

•           Positively promote the Christian faith in line with the objectives of New Life Church