Finance Officer

Aid Box Community (ABC) is a Bristol charity that provides hope, love and a sense of belonging to people seeking asylum in Bristol. The charity was started 7 years ago on the Refugee camps in France by a local mum and has grown and evolved to support over 5000 people a year through our Free Shop and Welcome Hub, Activity Groups and Trips and Connections Befriending program. We have 336 volunteers and a fantastic, small team and we are looking for a part timeFinance Officer. 

The job is for 15hrs a week ideally to be worked over 2 or 3 days Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Based at the ABC office, Portland Square, Bristol and some home working on agreement.  

We are a small team, and you may be asked to do something outside of your Job Description and help support other members of the Aid Box team.   

Job Description:  

The Finance Officer will have a wide variety of financial management and control tasks from day to day bookkeeping to filing year end accounts. They will formally report to the Director of Strategy and liaise regularly with the Board Treasurer.  

Role Overview 

The Finance Officer is responsible for the smooth running of all day-to-day aspects of the financial management of Aid Box Community (ABC): 

• Provide a high quality and effective financial management and Bookkeeping service to the charity 

• Prepare, develop and analyse management accounting information and reports, including a standard suite of monthly reports and ad-hoc reports as required by the Charity 

• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial statutory and regulatory matters relevant to the Charity 

• Liaison with the external Auditor in preparing and getting approval and sign off of the annual statutory accounts

Key responsibilities:  

The postholder will advise the charity on all matters relating to the finance of the organisation and provide management information for the Board of trustees. They will also be expected to contribute to future strategy, business planning, year-end accounts, monitoring of budgets and performance, and full adherence to al financial policies and procedures in accordance with the Finance Manual. Duties include: 

Financial Management 

Accountancy and Bookkeeping Systems 

Maintenance of all accounting records on an ongoing basis to include: 

· Manage all income and expenditure processing. 

· Maintain and improve bookkeeping and accountancy systems (both computerised and manual) including: 

- Bank reconciliations. 

- Cash flow management. 

- Income and grant analysis (restricted and designated funds). 

- Bank receipts and payments. 

- Purchase approval and recording processes. 

Accounts payable 

· Process purchase invoices in an accurate and timely manner.  

· Respond accurately and efficiently to queries from suppliers and colleagues regarding payments 

· Manage the Finance email inbox ensuring emails are dealt with in a timely manner 

· Ensure petty cash via Soldo Card is available and monitored 

· Process staff expenses, ensuring compliance with policy 

· Access and administer online banking 

· Pay roll, pay salary and staff costs  

Accounts Receivable 

· Control and Monitoring of restricted funds including detailed records of spend allocation of funds and remaining balance. 

· Accurately accounting for all income receipts monthly including donations from individuals and organisations and grants and claiming any appropriate Gift Aid. 

Budgets 

· Monitor the budget against actual and investigate any major variations in budget. 

· Involvement in strategic and planning projections with the Director of Strategy. 

 Reports 

 Produce regular management information so that key officers and trustees know how well the charity is  performing against its budget. To include: 

• Provide regular monthly management financial information (including financial highlights/budget against actual/restricted and unrestricted funds/fund movement summary/fund balances/balance sheet) for the Director of Strategy and Board of Trustees. 

• Quarterly financial reports for the Board of Trustees including detailed analysis of income and expenditure. 

• Assisting with fundraising applications and reports. 

Annual Financial Audit 

• Liaising with the external accountants for Annual Financial Accounts and Annual Review preparation before presenting to the Board annually for approval alongside the Director of Strategy. 

• Filing Annual Return to the Charity Commission. 

Bank and Treasury Management 

• Treasury management in connection with cash and investments held by the charity. 

• Manage cash flow and ensure that bank charges are kept to a minimum. 

Fundraising 

· Assisting with applications for funding ensuring that all grants, sponsorship and donations are paid on time and the financial conditions met. 

Communication and Coordination 

• Ensure the efficient circulation of financial information as needed, including that required from external advisers, e.g., auditors. 

• Liaise with and advise the Director of Strategy and others as appropriate on all financial matters. 

• Liaise with and maintain a good working relationship with bankers, accountants, auditors and donors. 

• Liaise and maintain a good working relationship with volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees. 

• Attend staff and Trustee meetings as required to provide information and analysis. 

• Understand confidentiality in accordance with GDPR. 

Professional/Technical 

• Keep up to date with financial developments across the sector, changes in requirements for charity reporting and changes in legislation. 

• Maintain and monitor the Internal Financial Procedures policy document and make recommendations on best practice, good governance, policies and procedures and implementing same. 

Experience, qualifications, and requirements  

Qualified or part qualified Bookkeeper or with considerable experience in a similar role preferably in the charitable or not for profit sector 

We are looking for candidates with a passion for supporting and or lived experience of the challenges faced by asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. This role requires great attention to detail and excellent organisational skills preferably you will have financial management experience and experience of working and managing finances for a charity.  

Essential Experience 

• Experienced Financial administrator 

• Experienced Bookkeeper 

• Strong numerate skills with acute attention to detail. High level of attention to detail  

• Willing to learn and be adaptable to the changing needs of a small and dynamic charity  

• Be an open and honest team player who is passionate about what we do and the impact we make  

• Familiar with our tools: Expertise in all Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Teams,  

• Familiar with QuickBooks 

• Clear communicator 

• Good interpersonal and liaison skills with a wide range of stakeholders. 

• Fluent in oral and written English. 

• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and delivering to tight deadlines. 

• A commitment to high professional and personal standards and continuous improvement. 

Desirable Experience

• Charity experience 

• Minimum experience 3 years  

• Experience of SORP would be an advantage 

A role with purpose 

Your work will be changing the lives of the most vulnerable people in our society and has a direct impact on the people we work with giving a huge level of job satisfaction. The nature of the work means that we are always ready to respond to a crisis, meaning that no two days are the same.  We are a small team of dedicated staff, working closely together in a supportive environment.  

Safeguarding Statement 

ABC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its service users and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

ABC operates Safeguarding Policies for the purpose of protecting Young People and Vulnerable Adults.  All staff members are required to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service DBS checks.  

Statement on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

ABC aims to be anti-discriminatory organisation committed to the promotion of quality and diversity and, in line with the Equality Act 2010. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups and those with lived experience. 

Please check the attached Job Description for further details and how to get more information about this exciting role.