Finance Assistant

Job Title: Finance Assistant

Location: Bristol (hybrid working is available at least 3 days per week) presence in the office will be required at least initially)

Salary: £25,953 - £31,087 per annum (starting salary will depend on skills and experience)

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Closing Date: Midday on Friday 19 April 2024

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is a Bristol-based national charity that supports people and organisations across the UK to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes. We do this by sharing our knowledge, practical experience and policy insights.

The Role:

This role will fall within our Finance & Operations team, which provides support to all front-line teams across the organisation - and covering all aspects of Finance, HR, IT, Administration and Facilities.

The post-holder will support the Financial Controller in the day-to-day delivery of CSE's finance function, in compliance with appropriate accounting standards and practices.

They will work with the Director of Finance & Operations and other members of the Operations Team to provide excellent operational support to underpin successful delivery by the whole organisation of our charitable mission, strategic objectives, and associated programmes and projects.

Main Purpose:

• Support the Financial Controller within CSE's finance team to provide the day-to-day delivery of CSE's finance function in compliance with appropriate accounting standards and practices, company and charity law and associated guidance
• Work with the Director of Finance and Operations and other members of the Operations Team to provide excellent operational support to underpin successful delivery by the whole organisation of our charitable mission, strategic objectives, and associated programmes and projects

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Process invoices and payments, issuing sales invoices, accounts receivable and managing aged debtors and creditors
• Cash entries into Sage Accounting
• Process CSE staff expense claims
• Managing petty cash, cheques and bank deposits
• Credit card processing and checking
• Assist with the Purchase order system as required
• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts as instructed by the Financial Controller
• Maintain up to date knowledge of Sage accounting and of relevant accounting standards and practices, tax regulations and other relevant statutory changes, particularly those relevant to charities
• Be familiar and competent with project finances and budgets to understand the financial position of projects to support in the provision of timely financial data to project managers as required

Person Specification:

• Maths & English GCSE/O-Level at a minimum C or equivalent
• Experience of using SAGE accounting software on a day-to-day basis
• Working knowledge of accounting standards and practices, VAT HMRC regulations in England, or a willingness to learn
• A commitment to CSE's work and charitable mission
• Excellent abilities with Office Products (Excel, word etc.,) and Sage accounting software
• Ability to maintain and organise effective electronic and manual filing systems
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good organisational and time management skills with experience of working to tight deadlines and budgets
• Willingness and ability to respond to additional workloads at short notice and manage conflicting priorities and deadlines
• Ability to translate financial information to non-financial managers

CSE offer a range of benefits including:

• Salary sacrifice childcare vouchers
• Subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme
• 25 days paid holiday (plus statutory holidays)
• We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses

To apply, please complete the application form available to download from our website. Your application should demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description.

The closing date for applications is midday on Friday 19 April 2024.

Interviews will be scheduled Friday 26 and Monday 29 April at our office in Bristol.

Please click on the APPLY button to send your CV and Cover Letter for this role.

Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of; Accounts Assistant, Accounts Clerk, Finance Clerk, Finance Assistant, Payment Processing Assistant Accountant, Purchase Ledger Assistant, Sales ledger Assistant, Financial Administrator, Accounts Admin, Finance Support, Bookkeeping may also be considered for this role.