Vat finance officer jobs

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a Finance Manager to join a very well-established animal welfare charity based in Solihull, with a second site in Wolverhampton. Working within a passionate and dedicated team, this role will suit an experienced finance professional with strong leadership skills and a determination to make a difference.

The organisation has been supporting dogs and the community for 133 years, employs eighty dedicated staff, and delivers vital services that improve the lives of dogs and humans alike. You’ll play a key role in guiding the charity’s financial strategy to ensure long-term sustainability.

Duties & Responsibilities

Lead and develop the finance team, ensuring effective management of budgets, forecasting, payroll, and statutory reporting.

Oversee financial governance and controls, ensuring compliance with charity and company legislation.

Provide strategic financial advice to the Executive Team and Trustees to support decision-making and risk management.

Manage the annual audit process and liaise with external auditors.

Oversee financial planning for bids, tenders, and funding applications, ensuring robust cost modelling and reporting.

What experience?

Ideally a fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, or) with proven experience in a finance role.

Experience managing finance within the charity, not-for-profit, or SME sector.

Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to present financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

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. 

NAPAC (the National Association for People Abused in Childhood) is entering an important period of growth. Our income sources are diversifying, our public profile is rising and our operations are becoming more complex. With new earned income streams, additional grant funding, VAT considerations and more detailed Board reporting, we are now strengthening our finance function to ensure accuracy, clarity and confidence in all financial matters.

We are therefore seeking a freelance finance professional to provide part-time, ongoing operational finance support. The role involves managing our monthly financial bookkeeping and reporting functions, working closely with our Chief Operating Officer and wider team. Our current provider will continue to handle payroll and year-end audit preparation, but we are moving our day-to-day finance support to this new model.

We are looking for a proactive, highly competent individual who can understand the way NAPAC works and provide accurate, timely and thoughtful financial support. This is a key role that underpins our success and gives confidence to the team, trustees, funders and external stakeholders.

Please download the full support brief for further details including how to apply. 

Role Summary

Julie’s Bicycle (JB) is seeking an experienced and hands-on professional who can contribute to the organisation's financial strategy and future resilience. This is a senior leadership role within the Operations and Finance function, where you will be working closely with the Managing Director, Head of Programmes, CEO, and Treasurer, providing the essential financial intelligence needed to guide key organisational decisions.

Job title: Finance Manager
Contract: Preferably 0.8 FTE (Full-time also considered for the right candidate), 1 year contract with the possibility to become permanent
Location: Hybrid working: office base is at Somerset House, London: we are flexible on approach, within a hybrid model of in-person & virtual. This can be discussed at interview (*) 
Salary: £50k to £55k p.a. (pro rata), depending on experience
Reporting to: Managing Director
Start date: ASAP - depending on candidate’s notice period 
Normal hours: Office hours are 9.30 - 5.30pm, Monday – Friday. As this is ideally a 0.8 FTE role, there is flexibility on how the time is spread across the week. Please state how you would intend to allocate your time when you apply. (requests for flexible working hours will be considered) 

Other: 

• Annual leave is 25 days per year (pro rata) plus standard bank holidays
• Cultural entitlement of £250 per annum (pro rata) to spend on arts/cultural events & activities
• All employees are able to claim 1 hour a week for personal wellbeing
• Pension scheme enrolment and 6% employer contributions (reviewed annually)

(*) Access to office space in London is always available to staff who can't or don't want to work from home. 

If you would like this application pack in a different format (e.g. large print or audio file), please email us (information in the link provided). 

About Julie’s Bicycle (JB)

JB is a leading non-profit putting climate action at the heart of culture. We believe that creativity is a powerful catalyst for change—and that the arts and cultural sector has a vital role to play in building a just, regenerative future.

For over 15 years, we’ve worked with artists, cultural institutions, funders, and policymakers to mobilise creative climate leadership through advocacy, research, policy influence, training, and community building. We champion climate justice, centre equity, and believe that environmental solutions must be driven by cultural shifts as well as systems change. For more information, please visit our website.

The Role

The Finance Manager will be a pivotal position within JB’s senior leadership team, responsible for the effective and efficient management of all financial operations. This role requires a highly experienced and hands-on professional who can seamlessly manage day-to-day bookkeeping and compliance while also contributing to the organisation's financial strategy and future resilience.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in charity finance, a deep understanding of VAT complexities, and the ambition to grow into a strategic financial leader. You will work closely with the Managing Director, CEO, and Treasurer, providing the essential financial intelligence needed to guide key organisational decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management And Reporting (Operational & Strategic)

• Hands-on bookkeeping and transaction management: Oversee and execute all financial transactions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll preparation, and bank reconciliations using the organisation's accounting software.

• Management accounts: Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts, commentary, and analysis for the Managing Director, CEO, and the Board of Trustees.

• Statutory compliance: Manage all aspects of Charity SORP compliant financial reporting. Prepare and coordinate the annual statutory audit, working directly with external auditors. Oversee filing and reporting to regulators including the Charity Commission and Companies House.

• VAT and tax compliance: Lead on all VAT compliance, including preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns, ensuring full adherence to HMRC regulations, particularly those unique to the charity sector, including partial exemption requirements and annual adjustments.

• Budgeting and forecasting: Coordinate and support the annual budgeting process. Develop regular financial forecasts and projections to ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable.

• Cashflow management: Monitor and manage the organisation's cash flow, ensuring adequate funds are available for all operational needs.

• Payroll: Manage the relationship with the outsourced payroll provider, collate salary information, ensuring is accurate and up-to-date and manage pension payments.

• Coordination of confidential finance administration: Business rates/premises, company bank accounts, credit card software, audit preparation, companies house, PL, EL, PI & and drive insurance renewal process

Strategic support and leadership development

• Financial insight as part of the Senior Leadership Team: Develop and deliver clear, data-driven financial analysis and insights to inform strategic decision-making across the organisation (SLT, SMT and Board).

• Policy and procedure: Review and maintain robust financial controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard the charity’s assets and ensure best practice.

• Strategic recommendations: In collaboration with the MD and CEO, research and present options for improving financial efficiency, exploring new funding models, and strengthening the long-term financial health of Julie's Bicycle.

• Board support: Prepare monthly management accounts, as well as comprehensive financial reports for quarterly Trustee meetings, attending meetings as required to present and discuss financial performance.

• Training the team: Embed a culture of financial curiosity, procedures and basic literacy.

Grant And Project Finance

• Restricted funds: Maintain meticulous records for all restricted and designated funds, ensuring compliance with all donor and grant conditions.

• Grant reporting: Lead on preparing detailed financial reports for funders (e.g., Arts Council England, trusts, foundations), ensuring all expenditure is accurately recorded and compliant with specific grant requirements. Consolidate all the above into a shared reporting calendar.

Person Specification

Essential experience and knowledge

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT), with at least 5-10 years of demonstrable, progressive experience in a similar finance role, with a significant portion gained within the UK charity/non-profit sector.

• In-depth, practical knowledge of UK charity financial regulations and Charity SORP.

• Expert-level understanding of VAT for charities, including partial exemption and trading subsidiaries.

• Proven ability to manage the full accounting cycle, from transaction entry (bookkeeping) through to preparing statutory accounts.

• Experience in managing the annual audit process and engaging with external auditors.

• Excellent proficiency with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, Aquila) and advanced Excel skills.

Skills and attributes

• Hands-on and proactive: Willingness to undertake all levels of tasks, from routine data entry to high-level analysis (essential)

• Developing leadership: Demonstrable potential or experience in influencing decisions, leading process improvements, and contributing strategic thinking (strongly desirable)

• Collaborative working: Ability to nurture and maintain relationships across the team (essential)

• Exceptional attention to detail: A meticulous and highly accurate approach to all financial data and reporting (essential)

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues, the MD, and Trustees (essential)

• Alignment with mission: A genuine interest in and commitment to the mission and values of Julie’s Bicycle (desirable)

Why Join Us?

At Julie’s Bicycle, you’ll join a passionate team working at the intersection of creativity and climate action. We offer a collaborative, inclusive, and flexible working culture, where your voice will shape how the cultural sector responds to one of the greatest challenges of our time. 

How to apply

If you’d like to apply, please: 

• Complete the application form and equal opportunities monitoring form found on our website.

Submit these via our application portal by 11.59pm on Sunday 23rd Nov 2025.

We encourage people from any background to apply for this post. We are committed to creating a workforce which is representative of our society, and to bringing together those with a variety of skills and experiences to help shape what we do and how we work. We are particularly keen to hear from people of colour and those who self-identify as disabled.

Please note, this post is open to people who already have the right to live and work in the UK, as Julie’s Bicycle is not currently in a position to sponsor a work visa. 

A note on AI

While we understand that some people may use AI tools for accessibility (and recognise and support that many assistive technologies may use elements of AI), we ask candidates to consider what tools are most appropriate during the application process. For example, we recognise the value for many people of machine learning language tools like Grammarly. On the other hand we would discourage the use of generative AI tools in writing your application, as we'd like to understand your personal interest in working for Julie's Bicycle, and be able to understand your non-AI-assisted communication skills just as they are. We also recognise that for many of the people and creative communities we work with, the rise of generative AI poses a threat to their livelihoods, while the environmental impacts of AI are only set to grow: this means we also have a responsibility as Julie's Bicycle to consider where and when (and if) we use AI in our work. 

Thank you for your interest in working at Julie’s Bicycle.

As Finance Director, you will work closely and collaboratively with Amit Sharma (Artistic Director/ CEO) and Iain Goosey (Executive Director), supporting them as they lead Kiln Theatre through a period of transition and growth. As a key member of the Senior Team, the Finance Director will be responsible for Kiln Theatre's financial health and for ensuring that effective controls are in place and that all regulatory requirements are met.

You will lead and manage the Finance department, ensuring that the finance operation at Kiln operates to the highest standards and is effectively embedded within the organisation.

The Finance Director will play a major role in contributing to Kiln Theatre's business planning and strategic development, including identifying opportunities for efficiencies, supporting the resilience of the organisation for the future, ensuring compliance with best practice at all times and helping the company to fulfil its creative and financial ambitions.

The role will work with members of the Board, particularly the Finance & Risk Committee, as well as the external auditors. The Finance Director also oversees the finances for Kiln Theatre Ltd and its two subsidiaries - Tricycle Screen Ltd and Kiln London Productions Limited.

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) is seeking an exceptional Interim Director of Finance to join our leadership team for maternity cover. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in one of the UK’s most innovative and internationally renowned orchestras.

We are a trailblazing ensemble, known for our historically informed performances - run by our players and collaborating with world-class artists including Sir Simon Rattle, Nicola Benedetti, and Sir Mark Elder. From our residency at the Southbank Centre and global tours, to our education programmes and innovative partnership with Acland Burghley School, we bring adventurous, period-informed music-making to audiences and communities across the UK and around the world.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the interim Director of Finance will be a key strategic partner, responsible for all aspects of financial management across four OAE entities. You will oversee budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audits, and tax compliance — as well as nurture a small but high-performing finance team. Your leadership will help ensure that OAE remains financially robust, transparent, and resilient, able to deliver its ambitious artistic and educational vision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all financial planning, forecasting, and reporting activities
• Drive business partnering across departments and funding partners
• Oversee statutory reporting and audit processes
• Manage cash flow, balance sheet, restricted funds, and payroll
• Ensure compliance with charity tax law, VAT, Gift Aid, and cultural sector reliefs
• Maintain strong internal controls, risk management and fraud resilience
• Support financial governance and Board engagement
• Line manage the Finance Manager and mentor the Accounts Officer

About You:

You will be a qualified finance professional (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with:

• Significant experience in a senior finance role, ideally within the charity or arts sector
• Strong understanding of Charity SORP and FRS 102
• A proven track record in strategic financial planning and business partnering
• Experience leading teams and engaging with Boards and governance structures
• Excellent communication and analytical skills, with a collaborative approach

Recruitment timetable: 

Application deadline: 5th November
First stage interviews: w/c 24th November
Contract start: Tuesday 6th January

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Accountant to oversee the charity’s day-to-day financial management and reporting.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Accountant will play a key role in maintaining accurate accounts, preparing management reports, and supporting the annual audit and budget processes. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working across all aspects of charity finance, from daily transactions to strategic financial planning.

About The Child Beale Trust

The Child Beale Trust operates Beale Wildlife Park, a 350-acre charitable wildlife park and estate near Pangbourne. The charity’s objectives are the advancement of recreation, conservation, education and biodiversity. The Park welcomes thousands of visitors each year and is home to a wide range of animals, gardens and visitor attractions.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate financial records using QBOL.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and capex/cashflow forecasts.
• Administer and submit VAT returns, liaising with our external VAT advisor where required.
• Oversee budget tracking and forecasting for all departments, working closely with budget holders.
• Prepare year-end accounts and liaise with external auditors.
• Support the CEO and trustees with financial reporting and board papers.
• Manage payroll and pension administration (payroll itself is outsourced).
• Oversee the purchase order and approval process (using ApprovalMax).
• Ensure compliance with all charity and statutory financial regulations.
• Support the development of financial systems and processes to ensure on-going overall efficiency.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience.
• Strong experience in management accounting and financial reporting.
• Good working knowledge of QBOL (or similar accounting software).
• Experience preparing year-end accounts and working with auditors.
• Excellent Excel skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain financial information clearly.
• Ability and desire to contribute to positive work environment.

Desirable:

• Experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Knowledge of charity VAT and restricted/unrestricted fund accounting.
• Experience in fund raising and Gift Aid management/optimisation.

Working Arrangements

• Option of a hybrid role with flexibility to work from home, but a minimum of 50% of hours must be worked on site at Beale Wildlife Park.
• Immediate start available, with a handover from the current Accountant to ensure a smooth transition.

Start Date: Immediate – full handover provided

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged.