Finance Officer

Oceana UK

Oceana is dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale. We are a leader in science-based advocacy, and we campaign for policies to make the world’s oceans more abundant, vibrant, and biodiverse. Globally, Oceana has won more than 275 policy victories for marine life and habitats. From stopping bottom trawling in sensitive habitat areas to protecting sea turtles from commercial fishing gear, our victories represent new hope for the world's oceans.

Oceana is now focused on some of the biggest threats facing UK seas, alongside climate change. Fighting habitat destruction, stopping industrial overfishing, and preventing new offshore oil and gas developments with their inextricable link to the climate crisis.

The UK registered charity has a vision for thriving seas around the UK, using highly visible campaigns and detailed policy interventions to secure measurable changes to rebuild and maintain ocean abundance and health. Oceana UK will act as a vital public-policy interface – raising the profile of our issues through campaigns, science, communications, and expeditions, and influencing policymakers directly for commitments at key moments throughout the year.

Job Purpose

We are seeking a Finance Officer, based in our office in Newquay, Cornwall.  The Finance Officer will provide financial, HR and administrative support to the Director of Finance and Administration and wider team. The Finance Officer role handles confidential matters and manages a varied workload, working independently to meet deadlines and accomplish tasks.  The role will handle all day-to-day finance processing for the UK office, whilst also operating as part of a global finance team which increases the scope and interest of the role.

Oceana in the UK is expanding, and this is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to support in the growth stage of an organisation, and to build experience across a broad range of finance responsibilities and other operational areas.

Role Overview:

• Responsibility for all day-to-day finance processing and system entries across accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash, fixed assets, intercompany and other balance sheet accounts.
• Preparation of weekly vendor pay run, ensuring correct documentation and coding.
• Initial review of all expense and credit card entries to ensure correct documentation and coding.
• Preparation of all journal entries and balance sheet schedules for month end close, in accordance with global timetable, for review by Director of Finance and Administration.
• Support UK team to ensure all costs are covered by contract and relevant approval.
• Assist with monthly payroll processes and staff onboarding tasks.
• Design process guides and training as needed.
• Support Director of Finance and Administration to design, produce and maintain regular cost reporting for UK Budget holders.
• Support Director of Finance and Administration to maintain and improve financial processes and control measures.
• Ad-hoc project or problem-solving tasks in response to requests for financial information from UK or global teams, or to investigate banking, tax or process solutions as the UK office expands.
• Coordinate with external auditors, including preparation of supporting documentation as required for audit planning and year end field work.
• Support Director of Finance and Administration with general administrative tasks across Finance, HR, IT, Governance, Legal and Operations as required.
• Act as part of a global finance community, sharing knowledge with finance staff in other Oceana offices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Candidate Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• There is some flexibility in required financial qualifications, but we anticipate that the role would best suit AAT level 4.
• Practical work experience in a variety of finance roles is essential, ideally bringing experience from both small and large finance team environments.
• Strong IT literacy, with expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, and ability and confidence to learn multiple new systems.  Some experience of cloud-based IT environments and accounting systems preferred.
• Ability to represent Oceana UK in a professional, diplomatic, and responsive manner.
• Excellent and effective verbal and written communication with all internal and external stakeholders, including technical, professional, and upper management staff.
• Must have excellent attention to detail and take pride in accuracy of work.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality when working with sensitive data and possess strong judgment in handling communications, expenses, and budgets.
• Willingness to identify problems and suggest resolutions, including providing advice on process improvements.
• Ability to handle many tasks simultaneously, with speed, accuracy and initiative.
• Flexibility to adjust to shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Must be motivated to show initiative in continuing to develop this role, and to provide excellent and enthusiastic financial and administrative support to an expanding team.
• This role is Hybrid working from the Cornwall office three days per week (Tues-Thurs), and from home two days (Mon and Fri).
• This role reports to the Director of Finance and Administration.

Equal Opportunities

Oceana UK is committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the community it serves at all levels of the organisation. We therefore welcome applications from all backgrounds and all sections of the community. All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of reference checks and a criminal background check.

• Application Deadline: 27 March 2024.
• Interviews: w/c 8 April 2024.
• Start Date: 6 May 2024.