Assistant Accountant At READ Foundation

Description

Job Title: Assistant Accountant

Salary Grade: 25,000-28,000 Per Annum

Location: Manchester

Hours: Full Time, 40 Hours

Responsible to: Finance Manager

About READ Foundation

READ Foundation is a UK based registered charity working to create school places for children living in poverty in the developing world.

We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We currently focus on constructing new schools, providing quality sponsorship for orphans and are now expanding our educational portfolio to reflect the large humanitarian and development needs ongoing throughout the world.

We created our first school in 1994 with a single classroom of 25 children, while as of this academic year we are now running almost 400 schools, in which over 100,000 children study, almost 10% of whom are orphaned by father or both parents. However, with a global shortage of classrooms in the millions, there is still much to do to achieve universal education.

Purpose of job

The Assistant Accountant will support the Finance Manager and Deputy CEO to ensure adequate financial controls exist and those controls are administered correctly. In addition, the role involves ensuring quality financial accounting, ensuring all transactions are processed and appropriately accounted for whilst streamlining income processing procedures and bank reconciliations.

The role will also involve maintaining and developing all associated internal controls, policies and procedures and adhering to Accounting regulations / Charity SORP. In addition, the development of our internal accounting system is necessary in order to track and maximise benefit vs costs (VFM), mitigate risk and ensure effective financial safeguarding.

Main Responsibilities

Include but not limited to;

Financial controls

• Ensure financial controls are in line with READ’s Finance Manual and the regulatory authority requirements (i.e. Charity Commission).
• Maintain oversight of financial controls across functions and offices.
• Review financial controls within the finance function and create an action plan to correct areas where financial c controls are not adequate.
• To keep up to date on potential risks of bribery, fraud, corruption and misuse of funds and keep up to date in these matters.
• To assist in identifying tax and trading compliance.

Financial Accounting oversight

• Ensure accounts payable and international payments procedures are followed.
• Ensure invoices are processed efficiently and in a timely manner.
• Ensure creditors and debtors are reconciled monthly.
• Ensure approved supplier, budget holders and authority level master records are up-to-date.
• Ensure expenses claims and credit card expenditure are in line with the expenses policy and procedures.
• Ensure the integrity of the nominal and accounts payable ledgers are maintained.
• Support budget holders to adhere to relevant policies and procedures
• Support the Finance team to ensure the streamlining and enhancing of systems, processes and procedures.
• Oversee the controls in relation to the receipt, recognition and recording of income.
• Oversee the reconciliation to the Donor Management System and production of monthly reporting of income and expenditure.
• Ensure all functions raising income adhere to income processing procedures.
• Ensure all bank reconciliations are carried out monthly and in line with the month-end schedule.
• Ensure petty cash is accounted for.
• Prepare and submit Gift Aid claims.

Statutory Reporting

• Work with the Finance Manager to ensure year end consolidation timetable is adhered to.
• Complete lead schedule and the audit trial for the statutory accounts in line with the requirements of the SORP and applicable accounting standards.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual report and financial statements.
• Prepare year end journals and consolidating adjustments.
• Contribute to the Month End & Year End Accounts closing and external audit.

Management Reporting

• Assist in the preparation of management accounts, regular cash flow reports to support and develop Organisation’s decision making.

Other duties

• Be prepared to travel nationally and internationally to support organisation offices and Fundraising events.
• Undertake duties as reasonably maybe required of a finance professional.
• Contribute to a positive working environment in which staff are empowered to do their best

General

• Attend and contribute positively to meetings, conferences and training courses as agreed with line manager
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, managers, directors and other stakeholders.
• Assist in supporting other departments as a finance business partner as required in order to facilitate the work of the charity.
• Other duties as per the request of the Head of Finance in the interest of the organisation’s objectives.

Other

• The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the post holder

Requirements

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential:

Desirable:

• Evidence that technical financial accounting practical skills have been kept up to date.
• Minimum of 2 years in similar post
• A proven track record of success in working in an organisation of complexity, to deliver high quality results to deadlines.
• Demonstrable experience of applying effective problem solving techniques
• Experience of preparing financial statements.
• Experience in cash-flow forecasting and management reporting.
• Experience in ensuring adequate financial controls exist.
• Attention to detail and a high awareness of accuracy.
• Ability to respond to timeframes and deadlines with pace.
• Willingness to learn and progress.
• Flexible and adaptable to change.
• You will be a well organised presentable individual who is competitive and committed to targets and deadlines.
• Effective communicator who is able to develop strong relationships with the fundraising team, key people within the company and external stakeholders.

SKILLS

Essential:

• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and alone
• Ability to work under pressure, manage time, workload and prioritise work to deadlines
• Understanding of financial controls in the charity sector
• Ability to focus on impact and deliver outstanding results in a team environment
• Flexible working approach
• Thorough attention to detail

QUALIFICATION

Essential:

Part Qualified Accountant studying a professional accounting qualification (e.g. ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with relevant experience.

Company benefits

The position also comes with the following benefits:

• 32 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays and company-wide holidays)
• Awards for employee of the year
• Paid time off for bereavement, sick days and medical appointments
• Investment in training, professional growth and development
• Occupational Pension Scheme
• Hybrid working options available (some days working remotely can be discussed at time of interview)

READ Foundation is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work, along with encouraging a healthy work life balance.