Finance Manager

About Us

Big Change’s vision is to see a society where all young people are set up to thrive in life, not just exams. As a charity based in the UK, we act as a catalyst to transform education and learning. We work in partnership to understand, advocate for and unlock support for transformation, working at the grassroots and the grasstops, locally, nationally and globally. In the UK we focus on two areas of work: The Big Education Challenge - a £1m prize fund to support and reward bold ideas with the potential to transform education and learning, and the Big Education Conversation, which supports inclusive conversations about the purpose of education to shape a new vision and ideas for change.

Overview of our benefits:

• £1000 Learning and Development Allowance

• Cycle to Work and Season Ticket Loan schemes

• Flexible working

• Pension scheme with up to 5% matched by Big Change

• Monthly phone allowance

• Generous holiday allowance

• Volunteer days

Role Summary

We are looking for someone who thrives on diving into financial details while also possessing the capability to step back, produce comprehensive reporting, and collaborate effectively with wider team members. In this role, as a qualified accountant,  you will serve as the primary finance contact for Big Change. 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Financial Management and Reporting:

• Performing the month-end process and producing Monthly reports for the MD and wider teams.

• Assisting with producing reporting for Grant Reporting.

• Assisting the MD with Budget and Cashflow Reporting.

• Compiling Data for Year End Accounts and Audit.

• Liaising with Accountants and Auditors during the year-end process.

Transactional Processing:

• Using Dext/Hubdoc and Xero to post purchases to Xero.

• Compiling Banking Runs from Xero and inputting them into online banking for monthly banking runs approval.

• Reconciling bank accounts.

• Checking Employee Expense Claims and posting them to Xero for payment.

• Raising Sales Invoices (Requests For Payment), and Credit Notes.

• Monitoring Late Payment of Requests For Payment and collaborating with wider team members to bring in overdue amounts.

Donor Management and Compliance:

• Producing Receipts for Donors and Annual Donor Statements.

• Updating the CRM system for payments from Donors.

• Running and checking Gift Aid Reporting to HMRC.

• Maintaining up-to-date Finance Procedure Documentation.

• Attendance (virtually as needed) at Team Meetings and Events.

Skills and Competencies

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualification.

• Strong attention to detail with an ability to analyse and interpret financial data.

• Proficiency in financial reporting, able to present complex information.

• Excellent communication skills, capable of working effectively with both finance and non-finance team members.

• Strong organisational skills, with an ability to prioritise tasks effectively.

• Proficient in using financial software and systems, particularly Xero.

• Competent in Excel and Google Sheets.

• Ability to maintain up-to-date financial procedure documentation.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 1+ years of experience using Xero for bookkeeping, VAT returns, and report production.

• Familiarity with standard accounting practices and principles.

• Experience in performing month-end processes and reconciliations.

• Proven ability to compile banking runs and manage online banking tasks.

Desirable:

• Experience in working with charity funds, including restricted, unrestricted, and designated funds.

• Knowledge of VAT complexities such as Reverse Charge, TOMS, and monitoring VAT thresholds.

• Familiarity with dealing with intergroup transactions.

• Proven ability in identifying and implementing improvements in financial systems, including cross-team collaboration.

• Experience in educating and assisting non-financial team members in understanding financial systems.

• Knowledge of Gift Aid reporting to HMRC.

Amazing but not essential (training provided):

• Experience with US financial reporting, including 1099 and 990 reporting, and US Annual Returns.

• Knowledge of tax treatment for employee benefits and compiling data for PSA and P11Ds.

Approach to Diversity

We aim to put diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, from the young people and project partners we work with to the way we behave and operate as a charity and to the people we bring into the organisation. We welcome applications from people of any gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or religion and belief, and particularly from people with diverse backgrounds or who have overcome challenging experiences.

Disability Confident

Big Change is a Disability Confident employer and in line with this will interview any applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the role, if a disability is disclosed (at the applicant's discretion). Please highlight in your supporting statement if you wish to be considered under this scheme. You will have the opportunity to submit your statement as part of the online application process. 

Please note that all applicants must have the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK without sponsorship.