Job Title: Finance Officer
Reports to: CEO
Salary: £28,000 to £34,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time 40 hrs a week, 9am – 5.30pm

Bridge for Young People provides a home and support to young people (aged 16-25) who are leaving care or who are homeless. We have three houses in West Berkshire where we provide young people with a stable home, emotional support and practical help as they move into independence.

We are seeking a resilient, organised and self-motivated Finance Officer that has an exceptional eye for detail. The Finance role is varied and includes a broad range of charity, financial and budgeting responsibilities as well as working with the Support Services Manager in supporting young people in their tenancy sustainment.

Principal Responsibilities

Financial Management and Reporting

Process all financial transactions within QuickBooks and perform reconciliation of all control accounts and bank accounts monthly
Carry out bank reconciliations and month end procedures as required
Record and monitor donations and grants, restricted and unrestricted, ensuring they are error-free
Prepare and process monthly support invoices
Process payments, following authorisation, via our Faster Payment’s system
Ensuring bank protocols and records are up to date concerning authorised signatories
Provide high quality and effective financial reporting, support and assistance to the CEO and Corporate and Community Fundraiser
Creating and updating budgets and forecasts for overall operations
Coordinating the Payroll submission and payments in collaboration with payroll company
Preparation of Housing Benefit Schedules for new properties
Monitor and review financial systems and procedures and recommend, devise and implement more effective and efficient procedures
Highlight financial risks to the CEO and suggest/develop possible mitigations
Advise and adhere to Financial Policy and protocols and authorisation protocols.

Tenancy Management

Act as the primary contact for young people’s questions and concerns on issues such as rent payments and service charge queries
Manage housing benefit claims, liaising with young people and West Berkshire Council
Calculate young people’s rent on receipt of monthly payslips
Track rent and service charge payments to identify any delays or arrears, liaising with young people and the Support Services Manager as necessary
Manage arrears. Communicate with young people to remind them of overdue payments using a supportive approach
Keep the Support Services Manager informed of persistent non-payment by young people, following procedures when necessary.

Technology

Lead in providing technology recommendations to CEO
Managing relationship with outsourced IT function

General Responsibilities

To understand, adhere to and actively implement all the policies and procedures of Bridge for Young People and its services at all times
To support the CEO in the development of strategies and the financial plans
To operate and comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation and relevant Bridge for Young People policies on data protection during the course of undertaking the role
To undertake training as required
To assist with other work, events and projects as needed
To undertake additional tasks reasonably requested by the CEO and the Charity Team

Additional Training Provided

General on-the-job training. The successful applicant will also be required to undertake training identified and set out in Bridge for Young People’s Training and Development Policy and Procedures.

Personal Specification

Essential

Financial management/bookkeeping qualification
Experience of using an accounting package
Ability to present financial and written information clearly, accurately and to a standard appropriate for external presentation
Excellent time management and organisational skills to be able to deal with a multitude of tasks and a range of priorities
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain financial information to non-finance managers
Strong Microsoft Office skills
Eligible to live and work in the UK
A DBS check will be required

Desirable

Working knowledge of charity accounting including principles of restricted fund accounting
Experience of using QuickBooks
Familiarity with charity accounts
Experience with providing tenancy sustainment support
Awareness of technology / managing outsourced IT function
Understanding of challenges facing care leavers and homeless young people

Why work for Bridge for Young People

Supporting young people and making a difference
Opportunity to develop your career as charity grows
Training opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge.
Employer’s pension contribution to NEST scheme

Young People and Children First known as Bridge for Young People jobs

Finance Officer