Job Description

We will provide training and development opportunities and are keen to recruit someone who looking to complete or start their accountancy training. You’ll join a high-performing and evolving charity with a dynamic atmosphere and have opportunities to get involved in a number of different areas and activities.
Main responsibilities

• Production of management accounts reporting for monthly departmental reporting.
• Development of new reporting mechanisms and formats to support the evolving needs of the budget managers and Senior Management Team.
• Supporting SFM with annual budgeting and periodic forecasting including working with budget managers, production of budgets and reports and analysis.
• Regular liaison with budget managers including dealing with queries.
• Analysis of expenditure to report on trends and variance analysis.
• Deputizing for SFM where needed.
• Supervision of some work of FA (not line management).
• Month and year end reconciliations.
• Liaising with external auditors as part of year end process.
• Participant bursary payments and processes.
• Payroll and pensions including liaison with team.
• Purchase ledger payments and processes.
• Management of expenses processes (through online system, Access).
• VAT returns and requirements.
• Continuous development of Sage Accounts (or any future accounting system) to ensure it is used efficiently, making recommendations for change.
• Management and development of online expenses system (currently Access expenses) including liaison with users, development of processes and procedures and ensuring accuracy in use. In particular to optimize processes for data export in to Sage and banking systems.
• Review of current systems to ensure they are value for money and provide for company’s ongoing requirements.
• Project to look in to online invoice approval and payments systems.
• Support the wider team as needed.
• Undertake administrative duties in support of the FA as needed.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Applications will be reviewed based on the demonstration of capability to fulfil this role with the skills and qualities listed below. You do not have to have a degree to undertake this role though some previous formal accountancy or financial training is desirable.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Part qualified accountant, AAT qualified or relevant degree with a desire to continuously develop knowledge and skills (desirable). Qualified by experience will be considered.
• Experience of financial accounting processes and procedures.
• Experience of working with budget managers including provision of reporting and support with budgeting.
• Experience of using and developing finance systems (Sage and Access Expenses desirable).
• Experience of managing projects to successful conclusion.
• Ability to work on own initiative and manage own workload, with limited supervision, always ensuring deadlines are met.
• Problem solving skills including identifying issues and making recommendations for change if needed.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Good time management skills, including the ability to balance, anticipate and adapt to conflicting demands and work to tight deadlines.
• Good IT skills (Teams and Office in particular Excel).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to uncertain or unexpected outcomes with flexibility and resilience.
• Strong interpersonal and team working skills; the ability to deal with people at all levels in a sensitive and professional manner and the ability to build relationships and work closely with and support a team of colleagues and network of stakeholders.
• Proactive advocate for diversity and inclusion, ensuring it is embedded and embraced across the organization and its employees.
• Visible role model and leader, consistently demonstrating Think Ahead’s values and behavior and challenging inappropriate or subpar conduct where observed.