Salary: £26,000 - £30,000
Hours: Full-time, 9am-5pm (Monday to Friday)
Location: Office-based, Birmingham
Contract: Permanent
About the Role
We are seeking a highly organised, adaptable, and detail-oriented Finance Officer to join a friendly and fast-paced team. You will play a hands-on role in managing financial transactions, maintaining accuracy across finance systems, and supporting the ongoing improvement of processes that underpin both charitable and commercial operations.
You will be expected to work with a high degree of responsibility and autonomy, balancing multiple priorities with accuracy and care. The role also involves working closely with developers to improve the organisation's bespoke Management Information System, including participation in system testing and process mapping.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys contributing to meaningful work with real impact.
Key Responsibilities
Sales Ledger & Credit Control
- Maintain a live sales ledger of over 900 accounts
- Process and reconcile receipts (BACS, cheque, card payments); issue refunds
- Prepare and send monthly customer statements (postal)
- Proactively chase overdue debts via phone, email, and letters
- Maintain aged debt and debtor tracking reports; resolve payment issues
- Liaise with the Customer Services team regarding finance-related queries
- Set up and verify supplier accounts with due diligence
- Process supplier invoices monthly; match to POs; obtain internal approvals
- Process internal and external expense claims with full documentation
- Manage bi-monthly supplier payment runs and upload payments to the bank portal
- Schedule recurring payments (e.g. writers, honoraria)
- Reconcile payments into Sage
- Reconcile and post monthly bank transactions
- Process direct debits, standing orders, and refunds
- Prepare cheques for banking and ensure timely deposits
- Perform monthly ledger reconciliations and month-end close
- Upload CRM data and reconcile deferred income
- Maintain accruals and credit card records
- Assist in the preparation of audit documentation and liaise with external auditors
- Act as the first point of contact for finance queries (internal and external)
- Provide administrative support: calls, emails, filing, and record-keeping
- Assist the Finance Manager and CEO with ad hoc reporting and analysis
- Support the wider team in using Excel and financial data tools
- Create and maintain templates and models for reporting and analysis
Essential
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a finance or accounting support role
- Bookkeeping/accountancy qualification (AAT or equivalent)
- Strong working knowledge of Sage 50 (or equivalent accounting software)
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (including formulas, pivot tables, lookups)
- Experience working with CRM systems integrated with finance platforms
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Confident communicator with colleagues, customers, and suppliers
- Ability to work independently, manage time and meet deadlines
- Strong sense of personal responsibility and confidentiality
- Positive, adaptable and solutions-focused approach
- Comfortable managing multiple tasks in a busy environment.
