Finance Assistant

Finance Assistant

Reporting to: Finance Operations Manager

Location: Hybrid: approx. 3 days in the office, 2 days from home

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 Hours per week

Salary:  £23,933-£25,122 depending on experience     

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Disability Confident Employer that welcome disabled applicants and provide reasonable adjustments.

About FareShare

FareShare is the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors, made up of 18 independent organisations. Together, we take good quality surplus food from right across the food industry and get it to nearly 8,500 frontline charities and community groups.

The food we redistribute is nutritious and good to eat. It reaches charities across the UK, including school breakfast clubs, older people’s lunch clubs, homeless shelters, and community cafes. Every week we provide enough food to create almost a million meals for vulnerable people.

Every year, more than three million tonnes of food go to waste in the UK, enough for 7 billion meals. Meanwhile, the cost of living crisis is driving millions into food insecurity.

We are fortunate to benefit from the support of major retailers, the media, ambassadors and a groundswell of public engagement. As a result, there has never been a more exciting time to join an organisation at the heart of public consciousness.

FareShare’s Strategy & Vision

Vision: We have the vision of a UK where “No good food goes to waste”.

Mission: To use surplus, fit for consumption, food to feed those who are vulnerable in the UK by supporting front line charitable organisations that tackle the cause and not just the symptoms of food poverty.

Our Purpose:We are doers. We are a community. We change lives.

Our Values: 

Passion – for our cause and the challenge that lies ahead

Ambition – to go the extra mile and drive the change that must happen

Respect – for ourselves, each other, our volunteers, our partners and our beneficiaries  

Collaboration – it’s only by working with others that we can be stronger

Focus – on providing the best service possible so that we deliver and achieve the most for our clients and customers

The role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative Finance Assistant to join our friendly and dynamic finance operations team of 4. You will play an important part in ensuring that day-to-day finance is run smoothly. You will bring strong accuracy and organisational skills and will be able to communicate with a range of staff and volunteers to assist them with finance related queries. This is an entry level role in finance that will suit someone with the desire to learn and develop and who enjoys working in a busy environment.

Main areas of responsibility

Role is focused on accounts payable but will be required to support other areas of the finance department as needed for example to ensure cover during annual leave or helping with month end tasks.  

Purchase ledger (80%)

• Process purchase ledger invoices, ensuring accuracy and compliance with FareShare’s policies and procedures.
• Process staff and volunteer expenses ensuring accuracy and compliance with FareShare’s policies.
• Set up payment runs bi-weekly, ensuring every invoice has been processed accurately, into the correct cost centre and authorised in line with the delegated authority.
• Support with the reconciliations of the creditor accounts; investigate and resolve queries efficiently.
• Support with the new supplier’s vetting process.
• Respond to staff queries and requests in a professional and timely manner.  

Sales ledger (20%):

• Support with sales ledger invoice processing as and when required.
• Produce monthly statements of debtor accounts.
• Post and allocate in the finance system the income received.  

Other:

• Monitor the finance inbox on a rota basis, respond to queries promptly and redistribute emails to the relevant finance team members.
• Attend office at least twice per week on rotation with other team members to process post received, including cheques ensuring these are banked on the same day
• Demonstrate a professional approach to internal and external customers by responding to requests timely and accurately.
• Work collaboratively with the finance team and in particular with the Finance Officers.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

 Person Specification

 Skills, experience and abilities

• AAT partly qualified and/or previous experience of working in accounts payable roles.
• Excellent numeracy and accuracy skills and attention to detail.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work systematically and to fixed deadlines.
• Ability to use own initiative and work independently whilst taking responsibility as an individual.
• Some experience with finance systems is desirable.
• Basic Excel skills and general IT skills are essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt style and approach to different audiences.

 Values and behaviours

• Enthusiastic and self-motivated.
• Curiosity and empathy with FareShare’s mission and strategy.
• A commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. 

Benefits

• Hybrid / Flexible working, with regular UK travel
• 28 days’ annual leave + 8 bank holidays
• Employers pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Program
• Interest free bicycle purchase loan scheme
• Season ticket loan