• Under the direction of the Director of Advocacy and Engagement & the Financial Accountant, ensure the smooth operation of all finance matters within set policies and procedures & high quality controls adhering to regulatory & legislative practices.
• Ensure accurate and safe management of sensitive and confidential data
• Provide finance support across the organisation and resolve queries from suppliers and other external contacts; including chasing outstanding income or debts.
• Adhere to daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual routines and timetables.
• Working with the Management Accountant (International Programmes), ensure accurate and safe management of cash, foreign currency and banking cheques.
• Under the direction of the Director of Advocacy and Engagement and the Financial Accountant, undertake projects related to financial management, for example reviewing new service providers or consultants.

• Scrutinise all paperwork and ensure correct and accurate coding & in accordance with procedures for approval & authorisation of expenditure.
• Maintain consistent, accurate and efficient processing, inputting & reconciliation of transactions into Quickbooks (including invoices, salaries, direct debit, cash, etc).

Under the direction of the Financial Accountant:

• lead bank reconciliations including foreign currencies.
• maintain credit and debit card reconciliations.
• design, implement and monitor systems for the handling and accounting of cash and reconciliations (including multiple currencies cash management).

Under the direction of the Director of Advocacy and Engagement and the Financial Accountant, maintain accurate records of all bank accounts and statements including bank signatures, mandates, authorisation limits, etc.

• Assist in the preparation of monthly accounts and analyse for accuracy, reconciling with internal tracking information (from all departments including International and UK Programmes, Fundraising, Finance & Admin).
• Assist in the preparation and analyse of budgets & forecasts, as well as carry out reconciliations and analyse differences (for the organisation, departments or projects).
• Support preparation of the annual financial statement, including support to the Directors to prepare accrued debtors/creditors forms and liaison with auditors as necessary.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial management and provide support to colleagues and stakeholders to help achieve this
• Assist in maintaining up-to-date and effective financial management practices, procedures and guidelines (Finance Procedures Manual).
• Prepare and distribute information on effective financial control for staff, partners and other relevant stakeholders.

• To assist and support other departments and organisation Directors as requested, including arrangement of travel, organising meetings and research/writing tasks.
• To assist with general administration including opening and distributing mail, photocopying, filing, etc.

• Alert the Financial Accountant and the Director of Advocacy and Engagement to any areas of financial risk that become apparent.
• Work closely with all finance staff to provide accurate information as required and ensure the performance of financial systems
• Perform all other duties relevant to the post as required by the Advocacy & Engagement Director.
• Work out of hours on occasion and as deadlines dictate.

 
Knowledge
Understand principles of double-entry book keeping
Broad understanding of accounting policies and concepts
Knowledge of components of financial reports and budgets
Knowledge of development issues and/or the charity/voluntary sector, preferably gained in an international development or youth centred organisation (desirable)
Knowledge of charity finance (eg. restricted/unrestricted income; grant funding, etc), VAT and HMRC requirements (desirable)
 
Experience & Skills
Demonstrable recent successful experience in a role(s) with similar responsibilities and/or achievement or working towards an accountancy or finance qualification
Computer literacy skills with good understanding of Quickbooks (or similar accounting software) with competence for MS Office (Excel (high-level), plus Word, PowerPoint) with fast and accurate keyboard skills
Experience of preparing budgets, analysing financial information, advising on budget variations and reporting
Strong numerical, verbal and written communication skills ensuring you can communicate with confidence and authority
Discretion and a proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Experience of liaising with auditors, banks and other financial institutes (desirable).
 
Personal characteristics
Able to:
- manage multiple priorities and respond to changing priorities
- manage high work load & working well under pressure whilst ensuring accuracy & continued excellent attention to detail

Strong interpersonal and communication skills able to explain financial information to non-finance specialists both written and verbally
Aware of the needs of & able to communicate with the various stakeholders.
Able to prioritise and coordinate multiple tasks and work to tight deadlines in meeting departmental, organisational targets & donor targets
Good team player with self-motivation & an appetite to succeed coupled with the willingness & readiness to support colleagues & enjoy working in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work cooperatively & in a multi-cultural environment
Understanding & sympathy for mission & values related to promoting the interests of young people and communities.