Finance Officer

The Finance Officer will play a key role in maintaining strong financial controls, ensuring data accuracy, and supporting the effective stewardship of resources across the organisation. Key responsibilities: Financial Operations • Act as the first point of contact for finance-related queries, responding or escalating as appropriate • Contribute to the effective day-to-day financial operations across the Church and associated entities • Process and accurately record income and expenditure transactions in line with internal processes • Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready financial records • Support the handling, recording, and secure processing of cash and cheque income in line with established procedures • Prepare and arrange the banking of funds, ensuring accurate reconciliation to financial records • Support financial processes across multiple related entities, including appropriate allocation of income and costs • Process and reconcile inter-entity transactions where required • Investigate and resolve discrepancies, escalating issues where appropriate Income, Giving, & Donor Administration • Administer all income streams, including donations, events, and charitable and commercial activities • Maintain accurate records of donor giving and ensure appropriate allocation of funds • Process Gift Aid claims in compliance with relevant regulations and maintain supporting documentation • Reconcile giving records with bank and system data, investigating and resolving discrepancies • Support donor communications, including responding to queries and preparing giving statements and related communications Accounts Payable & Receivable • Process supplier invoices, staff and volunteer expenses, and other payments in a timely manner • Ensure all transactions are appropriately authorised and coded in line with financial controls • Support the preparation and execution of payment runs • Raise invoices and manage incoming payments, including monitoring outstanding balances and following up where necessary • Prepare and process payments, including international transactions where required, ensuring accuracy and appropriate authorization. Financial Controls & Compliance • Maintain and apply financial controls, including approval processes and expense policies • Support fraud prevention measures, including verification of payment details and appropriate segregation of duties • Ensure compliance with charity finance requirements, including Gift Aid and restricted fund management • Maintain accurate and audit-ready financial records and supporting documentation • Maintain appropriate controls over cash handling and banking processes • Support the integrity and accuracy of financial data across systems Month-End & Reporting Support • Assist with period-end processes, including reconciliations and preparation of supporting schedules • Prepare draft financial reports and summaries for review by the Finance Manager • Provide basic analysis and commentary on financial performance where appropriate • Monitor bank balances and support cashflow awareness through regular updates and reporting Systems & Process Improvement • Use financial and related systems effectively to maintain data accuracy and efficiency • Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, and internal controls • Support the implementation of new systems or process improvements where required General Support · Provide administrative and operational support to the Finance Manager as required · Contribute to the continuous improvement of the finance function · Undertake other duties appropriate to the role Christian Faith and Culture • Will clearly live out, embrace and impart the culture of New Life Church through being Honouring, Courageous, Compassionate and Generous. • Clearly demonstrate a heart and passion for the church and the city • Sincere acceptance, understanding and practice of the Christian ethos and purpose of the charity. • Willingness and ability to communicate their own story of their faith journey • Positively promote the Christian faith in line with the objectives of New Life Church