Finance Officer

In the UK, there are more than 1.3 million disabled children and nearly four million children living in poverty. Variety exists to improve their lives. We believe every child has a right to live their best life and reach their full potential, whoever they are. We fund and deliver life-changing programmes that enhance their quality of life and give children and young people across the UK a better future.

Over the past 75 years we have supported over one million children by funding almost 6,000 Sunshine Coaches, almost the same number of wheelchairs, and giving thousands of grants to individual children, schools, youth clubs and other organisations for specialist equipment. Variety is also involved with a number of capital projects which transform the facilities of hospitals and SEN schools. In addition, each year tens of thousands of children take part in day trips, special events and educational activities as part of our Variety Great Days Out programme and every single day we are improving more young lives. We do it with practical, tangible help. Help that makes a real and immediate difference.

We’re not content to rest on our laurels – we have recently completed a leadership transition that will provide the strategic and operational foundation for the charity to be more effective than ever. We plan to double our income in the next three years and grow our support for children and young people across the UK.

Role Summary

The Finance Officer will support the Finance and Operations team and regional teams with key areas of responsibility around financial administration and general office and governance administration tasks.

Role and responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

Financial Administration - (95% of role):

Supporting the Finance team with

o   Day-to-day financial administration

o   Bookkeeping on Xero, raising invoices, chasing debtors, dealing with supplier statements

o   Ensuring correct VAT categorisations.

o   Tracking expenditure on Xero in accordance with funder requirements

o   Processing monthly expenses and petty cash claims

o   Responsible for preparation of the weekly payment run (approval max and Xero)

o   Day-to-day financial administration

o   Banking of cheques

o   Managing control accounts for CAF, Charities trust, and Justgiving

o   Managing shopify, worldpay, stripe, paypal and other payment processing platforms

o   Organising card machines for events

Administration: (5% of role)

Some tasks listed below are less frequent and ad-hoc.

o   Opening post and electronic filing

o   Weekly franking of post, topping up funds when required and taking post to nearby post office

o   Supporting the Director of Finance and Operations with preparation of board and audit committee papers and materials, minutes and actions

o   Supporting the finance and operations team with writing and editing documents and presentations and arranging online and in-person meetings as required.

o   Overseeing the general email address forwarding queries to relevant team members

Other

o   Undertake any other duties that may from time to time be required.

Person specification

Essential

-          AAT accounting qualification or equivalent

-          Experience within the charity sector

-          Experience with Xero accounting software

Other essential:

-          IT skills- Knowledge of MS office

-          Understanding of VAT

-          Experience of donations platforms, stripe, shopify

-          An understanding of fund accounting, restrictions and unrestricted funds

-          Enthusiastic and creative self-starter.

-          Ability to multi-task

Desirable

-          Experience of CRMs - Sales force

-          Understanding of disability, diversity and equality issues.

Further Information

·         Limited travel around the UK may be required. 

·         Variety, the Children’s Charity, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

·         Proof of eligibility to work in the UK is required.

·         9-5pm 3 days per week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 days will be in the office, 1 day work from home).

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Inclusion is one of our key values. It is our ambition to recruit great people from diverse communities. We welcome and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment/identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity and or marriage/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief.

You will be working with a supportive and knowledgeable team who are regularly in our vibrant office in the heart of Camden, London.

This role will require a DBS check.

Benefits 

·         Enhanced Pension (7% contribution from Variety with 2% employee contribution).

·         25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. In addition, after one year's continuous service, an extra 2 days annual holiday for every complete year of service will be added, up to a maximum of five days' extra holiday. (pro rata will apply for part-time)

·         3 additional days between Christmas and new years given as discretionary leave

·         Membership to a health and well-being cash plan scheme

·          Life Assurance scheme offering 4 x salary

·         Company Sick Pay

How to apply

If you would like to apply, then please submit the following:

1.    CV (up-to-date)

2.    Cover letter (max 1 page) on why you are interested and how you meet the essential and desirable skills and experience.

Please also advise if you may require any reasonable adjustments for the interview process.

Applications should reach us by 5pm on Monday 27th October 2025, with interviews to be held w/c 3rd November 2025.

We are looking for a candidate ideally to start by December 2025.