Finance Manager/Financial Controller

Financial Controller sought for thriving youth charity

28 hrs per week, flexible

Salary £33k-£36k (£47k-£51k FTE) dependant on experience  

London W10

Job Description

This is a responsible position managing the accounts and payroll of a medium-sized West London youth charity. The role is central to maintaining the charity’s financial wellbeing and thereby enhancing opportunities for young people.

It is a part-time role, with plenty of flexibility. Working from home and coming into our office at least once a week, you can spread the weekly hours across 3, 4 or 5 days – whatever works for you. You’ll be working closely with the Treasurer, Chief Executive, Fundraiser and Programme Director as well as our HR Manager and Operations Manager, with whom you will share some admin support.

About us

As a leading London youth club, our work is challenging but very rewarding.

For over 40 years The Avenues Youth Project has provided a safe space for young people aged 8 to 18 to play, socialise, acquire and develop skills and receive advice and motivation.

In an area of north Westminster with plenty of social challenges, The Avenues is seen as a beacon organisation, hugely valued by our community and widely respected in the youth sector.

Our standards are high; we are recognised by Westminster City Council as one of three key youth hubs in the borough and, in 2024, were re-awarded London Youth’s prestigious three-year Gold Level Quality Mark, one of only nine youth organisations to hold this badge of excellence.

Our team is professional, hard-working and great fun to work with.

Each one of us is passionate about giving every child and young person the opportunity and support to make the most of their future, regardless of their background, and we apply the same principle to those who work at Avenues.

Role Requirements

·         Manage day-to-day financial operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable/grants claims, bank reconciliations, general accounting functions.

·         Perform monthly journals and reconciliation of balance sheet/control accounts, including accruals, prepayments, deferred income and fixed assets.

·         Claim monthly the Gift Aid that has not already been collected through donation platforms.

·       Produce timely and accurate monthly reports for budget holders to help them effectively manage their budgets, ensuring that spend is being properly tracked and allocated against programmes and grants/donations.

·       Hold regular meetings with budget holders following the production of the monthly reports.

·       Work with the CEO, Treasurer, Fundraiser and programme/operational budget holders where necessary to:

o   Provide the Finance Committee with a monthly dashboard

o   Co-ordinate the annual budget process, and produce quarterly financial forecasts.

o   Manage cashflow projection

·       Support the Monitoring and Evaluation manager with donor reports

·       Liaise with the auditors throughout the audit process, providing supporting schedules and  grant documentation in support of the TB figures provided.

·       Prepare the statutory annual accounts for review by the auditors.

·       Manage payroll (30+staff), pensions and the allocation of project personnel costs. This includes liaison with the HR and programme managers to ensure the Employment Hero payroll system is processing HR information and timesheets correctly.

·       Process improvement – work with key stakeholders to ensure that finance processes are fit for purpose and implementing change where improvements can/should be made.

·       Ensure the Avenues has appropriate internal controls in place and is meeting all tax and audit obligations.

·       Preparation and maintenance of a finance manual.

·       Deal with general finance queries, both externally and from members of the team

·       Co-supervise the finance and operations administrator

Person Requirements

·       Accountancy qualification eg- ACA/CIMA/ACCA/AAT Professional Level or QBE

·       Demonstrable experience of working in a similar role.

·       Previous experience in the charity sector would be highly desirable although not essential.

·       Good knowledge of QuickBooks system and proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel.

·       Experience of process improvement and system implementation an advantage.

·       Strong communication skills well versed in speaking finance with non-finance colleagues.

·       Ability to adhere to deadlines

·       Confident in holding self and others to account

·       Ability to work to high standards, without needing detailed supervision

Avenues is an Equal Opportunities employer welcoming people from all backgrounds.

Avenues puts the safety of our members first. Candidates are subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.