Finance Officer

Do you have financial skills and expertise you would like to use to directly support a charity which changes lives every day through the gift of a highly trained assistance dog? Then we'd love to speak with you about joining our volunteer team as our new Finance Officer to help us look after the pennies and help more autistic people live their lives well. 

The role would be responsible for the charities financial administration and management accounting using Xero and with Access to the charities internal database. The post holder will process invoices and payments, maintain financial records and produce monthly management accounts to support the charity in good governance and access new funding to ensure our future success. 

Key Responsibilities 

Purchase Ledger & Invoice Processing

• Process supplier invoices accurately and in a timely manner using Xero.
• Match invoices to purchase orders and supporting documentation where applicable.
• Ensure all invoices are correctly coded to the appropriate nominal ledger accounts and cost centres.
• Work with the Operations Manager to resolve invoice discrepancies and supplier queries promptly.
• Maintain accurate supplier records and account details.

Payments & Cash Management

• Record supplier payments in Xero.
• Complete bank reconciliations and investigate any unreconciled items.

Management Accounts & Reporting

• Produce monthly management accounts within agreed deadlines.
• Prepare monthly income and expenditure reports working closely with the Operations Manager to ensure alignment with CRM Budgets and Income Categories.
• Produce financial information and management reports for senior management, with the ability to effectively analyse the reports and interpret the results for colleagues.
• Support the preparation of annual year-end accounts.

Financial Control & Compliance

• Ensure financial records are maintained accurately and in accordance with organisational policies.
• Support month-end and year-end accounting processes.
• Assist with external audits and provide required documentation.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Maintain confidentiality of financial information at all times.

General Duties

• Support continuous improvement of financial processes and systems.
• Provide financial administrative support to managers and departments.
• Assist with ad hoc finance projects and reporting requirements.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as required.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• AAT qualified or studying towards a recognised accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
• GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and English at Grade C/4 or above.

Essential Knowledge & Experience

• Experience processing purchase invoices and supplier payments.
• Experience using Xero accounting software.
• Experience producing management accounts and financial reports.
• Strong understanding of double-entry bookkeeping principles.
• Experience of bank reconciliations and ledger maintenance.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel, including formulas and reporting functions.
• Experience maintaining accurate financial records and meeting deadlines.

Essential Skills

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet competing deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Experience supporting audits.
• Knowledge of restricted funds and grant accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP.