Finance Officer

Overview

rePLANET is a for purpose company, driving large scale ecological restoration and protection through private sector funding in locations all around the World. The primary objective is to restore and conserve landscapes, by generating carbon and biodiversity credits, driven by private sector funding. All our projects, ensure that, at a minimum, 60% of the revenues of any carbon or biodiversity credits generated and sold are returned to local stakeholders and that they are the main beneficiaries of the projects. RePLANET has a wide portfolio of services, but these include native forest restoration, mangrove restoration, nature based advisory services, and marine ecosystem protection and restoration.

As the private sector has become increasingly aware of their responsibility towards nature restoration and protection, rePLANET has established itself as a leading project developer. Consequently, rePLANET’s knowledge and expertise are in high demand from organisations around the world and we are therefore looking to expand and strengthen our team by bringing in a new finance manager and Finance Officer to support the increasingly complex portfolio of services. Both roles provide excellent opportunity for career progression as you will join a small but quickly growing company at the forefront of an expanding sector where adaptability is key.

Role responsibilities

The finance assistant will support the finance manager within the finance department. This department coordinates the financial management of multiple projects across multiple countries, and as such guides, collects and processes the necessary financial information from the different parts of the operation. You will work with colleagues from across the organisation and external partners to support the continued growth of the company through diligent, responsive and adaptable financial management. To achieve this, you will assume the following responsibilities:

1. To assist the Finance Manager in maintaining and developing financial procedures and systems
2. To process financial information, including
   • a) raising sales invoices and chasing outstanding debtors, processing purchase invoices and expenses, both of which will require you to liaise with both the project and science teams where necessary
   • b) ensuring all bank reconciliations (including foreign currency accounts) are completed in a timely fashion.
   • c) processing intercompany transactions.
   • d) assisting the Finance Manager to produce the month end and intercompany accounts.
3. To monitor accounts mailboxes and process relevant messages
4. To support the submission of VAT returns
5. To support the Finance Manager in the development of the annual budgets and to liaise with team members to ensure that plans effectively support the delivery of the company strategy
6. To liaise with staff across the company to ensure and support compliance with finance policies and procedures
7. To provide administrative support to the team where required

The experience, skills & qualifications needed

1. Accountancy qualifications (AAT level 3 or higher, or higher tier CCAB qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA – continuing professional development will be considered if appropriate). (Essential).
2. Minimum of 2 year’s accountancy experience within a medium size organisation (Essential)
3. Experience of supporting the production of, or producing, management and final accounts (desirable).
4. Proficiency with accountancy software including Xero (essential).
5. Experience processing foreign currency transactions.
6. High level of computer literacy, including experience with Microsoft Excel and Word.
7. Experience within the NGO/conservation space (Desirable)
8. Legal and regulatory knowledge: A basic understanding of accountancy standards and compliance requirements such as VAT regulations (desirable).
9. Problem solving abilities to identify discrepancies and propose solutions (essential)
10. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation (essential).

Working arrangements

RePLANET HQ is based in a picturesque village in the Lincolnshire Wolds, near the town of Spilsby. The role is expected to support a hybrid home/office model, where in-person on-boarding will be required, and then approximately one day of in-person working each week, plus approximately 4 “block weeks” each year where you will be required to work from the head office. However, the exact nature of the hybrid working model can be discussed. Whilst the role is intended to be UK based, it is possible that the role may involve occasional international travel as it develops and the company continues to grow.

Next steps

If you would like to apply for this role please submit your CV and a cover letter describing your suitability for the position making reference to the selection criteria outlined in the above Person Specification. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found and should be submitted to accounts@replanet.org.uk. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

rePLANET is experiencing a significant period of growth and it is therefore possible that other positions will become available in the next few months. If you are not offered the position in this round of recruitment but would like your CV to be kept on file for consideration as other opportunities arise, please indicate this in your cover letter.