Finance Officer

About the position

The successful candidate will be a finance professional with experience of working in an accounts payable function in an international environment. The successful candidate will come either from a similar position in another charity or from industry, looking to move into the international charity sector. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, time management, attention to detail, flexibility and tenacity are essential requirements of the post-holder as these will enable the successful candidate to liaise with both with finance and non-finance staff around the world as well as helping the finance team to maintain robust financial systems and processes. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a growing, highly regarded organisation doing incredible work around the world.

The Finance Officer will provide all staff with day-to-day advice and support on finance matters to ensure that there is good understanding of and compliance with financial controls and processes. The Finance Officer will lead on accounts payable, including all cash advances and staff expenses both in the UK and for staff and consultants overseas. The Finance Officer will also provide support for the Financial Accountant in the preparation of monthly balance sheet reconciliation; bank and treasury management; and the production of schedules required in relation to the year-end statutory accounts.

 

Responsibilities

Accounts payable

• Preparing weekly payments runs within the accounting system (Microsoft Business Central) in accordance with the agreed timetable and financial procedures, ensuring correct coding of all costs and checking completeness and accuracy of all supporting documentation;

• Setting up all payments for release via online banking by management;

• Checking all staff and consultant expense claims and monthly credit card returns, including reconciliation of any staff advances;

• Acting as a point of contact for all accounts payable queries;

• Maintaining a strong control environment, ensuring accounting records are complete and accurate; and

• Assisting on process and systems improvements which lead to more effective financial control;

• Monitoring Expensify and providing training to new users as required.

 

Financial accounting

 • Ensure all transactions are processed accurately within the accounting system (Microsoft Business Central) – posting adjustments where necessary

• Reconcile all bank and credit card accounts

• Assist the Financial Accountant with balance sheets reconciliations as needed

• Assist the Financial Accountant with the maintenance of the fixed asset register and inventory

• Assist the Head of Finance and the Financial Accountant to maintain the organisational accounting system including the development of new systems and processes

• Help generate supporting schedules required in relation to the year-end statutory accounts and audits

• Assist the Financial Accountant with month-end tasks as required

 

Banking and treasury management 

• Provide administrative support in relation to all bank accounts;

• Monitor bank balances and currency requirements; and

• Ensure staff travelling overseas requests for advances and credit card top ups are dealt with in a timely manner.

Other

• Resolve queries from suppliers, funders and other external customers; and

• Advise local staff, consultants and partners on financial matters and provide support as required. • Participate in new staff inductions

Any other duties commensurate with the post as requested by the Financial Accountant and Head of Finance

Qualifications and experience Essential

• Experience managing accounts payable for an international organisation;

 • Experience working with multiple currencies;

• Experience of performing bank reconciliations;

• Experience of producing other balance sheet reconciliations and using control accounts;

• Excellent numerical skills;

• Excellent excel skills and strong general IT skills;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

 

Desirable

• Accounting / book-keeping qualification;

• Experience of working in the charity sector;

• Experience in the anti-slavery sector;

• Experience working in for a grant-making organisation;

• Proven track record of working in a small team;

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Business Central.

 

Personal attributes Essential

• Thoroughness and attention to detail – producing work with a high degree of accuracy, first time; • Flexible, “can-do” attitude;

• Ability to work independently, displaying strong initiative and tenacity in solving day-to-day problems with limited direction;

 • Strong organisational skills and efficient time management, ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise;

 • Team player committed to the Freedom Fund’s values;

• Ability to prepare accurate, relevant and clearly presented financial information; 

 Ability to build relationships with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

 

Compensation

 • £35,309 – £39,025 per annum pro rata, plus 10% non-contributory pension scheme.

• 25 days holiday pro rata, plus public holidays.

 

Application procedure

Applications should be submitted in English and include a CV, cover letter (maximum one page) and contact details of two professional referees, one of which must be the applicant’s current / most recent line manager or current / most recent Head of HR. Please send applications by email in PDF format to jobs@freedomfund.org, including ‘Finance Officer’ in the subject line, before 9.00am (BST) on Monday 22nd April 2024. Note: applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the vacancy is filled. Please note that only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. No agencies please. Applicants must be entitled to work in the UK without work permit sponsorship by the Freedom Fund. The Freedom Fund is an equal opportunities employer. In line with our values of respect, agility and excellence, we value the strength of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, LGBT+ and from different socio- economic backgrounds