Finance Officer

1. We design brilliantly engaging resources for secondary schools, helping students to achieve valuable BTEC qualifications.
2. The post holder will administer and oversee all accounting functions up to and including month-end accounts and reporting. 
3. You will assist in constructing yearly forecasts and cash flow sheets and monitor throughout the year.

Line Manager/responsible to: Director 

Responsible for: N/A 

Salary: £27-31k per annum, pro rata depending on skills and experience 

Hours: Part time, 2 days a week

Who we are 

Our Mission: Improving lives through learning. 

Our Vision: Leading the way in delivering big impact and inspirational learning.

Our Values: 

• We act with integrity – we are open and honest with everyone and always behave ethically. 
• We prioritise people – we are nice! We are inclusive, respect everyone and empathetic. 
• We are bold! – we are ambitious and innovative in our thinking. 
• We bring a smile – most importantly, we bring a positive attitude to work!

Summary of Role

• Administer and oversee all accounting functions up to and including month-end accounts and reporting. 
• Assist in constructing yearly forecasts and cash flow sheets and monitor throughout the year.

Accounts 

• Produce in company cash flow tracking and update actual cash flow on Monday of every week. 
• Make payments to suppliers via Barclays's banking system. 
• Bank records to be reconciled against XERO by the end of each month. 
• Regularly bank cash and cheques and write cheques.
• Monthly reconciliation of company credit cards against statements and receipts.
• Raise sales invoices, place accurately into XERO and forward to customers.
• Issue customer refunds via transactional portal if and when required.
• Chase debtors over 30 days from invoice date to ensure no aged debtors over two months post invoice date.
• Support the Accountant to prepare and undergo any financial audits.
• Archive count information on a minimum of an annual basis.
• Preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns.
• Responsible for month end journal postings accruals and prepayments.
• Produce accurate month end accounts.
• Forward account information inclusive of P&L, balance sheets and monthly P&L break down to Sweet’s Account/Bank Manager on a quarterly basis.

Payroll

• Work in collaboration with Sweet’s Directors to gain accurate information relating to pay amendments prior to processing payroll.
• Report on PllD information to accounts on request.
• Update monthly payroll spreadsheets and place a copy with XERO records for filing.
• Pre-update payroll reports and gain a final check from Directors.
• Update final monthly salary information on Xero and forward to HMRC to ensure all staff receive payment on the 28th of each month.
• HMRC PAYE is taken by Direct Debit monthly.
• Send pay slips to staff members via XERO.
• Update Pension information onto the pension portal on Scottish Widows on the 1st of each month.
• Communicate any pension contribution changes to staff when and if required.
• Pay payroll though Barclays online banking ensuring dual authorisation.
• Audit and process monthly mileage and expense claims.

Purchasing 

• Carry out all purchasing activities ensuring that budget is allocated for the purchasing activity

General Duties 

• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, for example, reading trade publications and attending networking events.
• Take part in any project work deemed necessary by the senior management team.
• Fully engage with and adhere to the company values.
• Embrace the company’s strategies, polices and processes.
• Ensure that all your practices adhere to information security policies, procedures and legislation.
• Work as a team to ensure continuous quality improvements supporting the company's journey to excellence.
• Keep outlook calendars up to date at all times.

Key Responsibilities: The above duties are not an exhaustive list and should be viewed as guidance. Your line manager or the Senior Management team may ask that you take part in additional duties to fully utilise your experience, skills and knowledge.

Person Specification 

Personal Qualities: 

• Excellent rapport building and people skills. 
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. 
• Personable with a proven track record of working with a diverse range of individuals. 
• A highly self-motivated individual with a positive ‘can do’ attitude. 
• Excellent time management and organisation skills. 

Essential Experience and Skills: 

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of working in a similar role. 
• An AAT qualification at level 3 or above. 
• Experience of using SAGE and/or XERO.