Senior Accountant

Role Purpose

The Senior Accountant will be part of the Khalsa Aid Management Team and will report to the CFO.  You will provide financial leadership in all financial areas including production of monthly accounts; financial controls; general accounting; budgets; financial planning and analysis; policy management and adherence; compliance; risk; exchange rate management; key business and financial processes; cost management and auditing. You will play a crucial role in ensuring the organisation’s financial health, compliance and efficient operations. 

Key Responsibilities

Financial & Operational Management

• Preparation and approval of all financial reporting materials and metrics; including monthly Business Performance Report, KPI’s, and Management Accounts, Project Aid reporting as well as annual financial reports
• Oversee budgeting, and the implementation of budgets, setting goals.
• Present operational metrics to monitor progress on the efficient spending of KAI Charity Aid funds. Implement a programme of timely corrective actions where necessary thereby implementing best in class practices
• Ensure that financial records and systems are maintained in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and are compliant with Charity reporting requirements
• Ensure compliance with organisation policies and procedures, a robust controls environment is in place and that approval processes are adhered to
• Manage cash flow and exchange risk including proactive working capital management and accurate cash forecasting
• Direct all financial, project-based, and departmental accounting including foreign operations
• Ensure Management Information Systems are appropriate for internal, external and regulatory requirements
• Evaluate business processes, recommend and implement improvements

Team Management

• Provide leadership to the Accounts Assistant by providing clear goals and objectives.
• Lead with a management style that creates a culture that fosters collaboration, encourages cooperation, promotes creativity, values willingness to assume prudent risk and responsibility, reflects a sense of urgency and ensures results driven work environment
• Engage other members of the Khalsa Aid Team to facilitate cross-department collaboration that ensures that all financial and related IT solutions positively support the business’s strategic plan execution, operational delivery, and data collection needs

Detailed tasks to be carried out:

1. Day-to-Day Financial Operations:
   • Monitor bills, invoicing, donations, and other transactions.
   • Oversee the work of the Finance Assistant.
   • Register invoices from suppliers and service providers for payment.
   • Handle various donation platforms (e.g., JustGiving, Enthuse, Worldpay, Donorbox).
   • Post and review month-end journals, accruals, and prepayments.
   • Process purchase orders and bills.
   • Answer supplier and donor queries.
   • Monitor email inboxes and confirm donations.
2. Banking and Reconciliation:
   • Enter payments in the bank for authorization.
   • Complete and check bank reconciliation for various accounts using XERO.
   • Monitor restricted fund movements.
   • Track and report fund utilization.
   • Maintain petty cash and handle cash/cheques.
3. Cash Flow Management:
   • ​​Monitor cash flow and ensure liquidity for overseas operations.
   • Inform Treasurers about fund requirements.
   • Arrange cash for overseas travel.
4. Payroll Duties:
   • Process monthly payroll, including RTI submissions and pension feeds.
   • Handle new starters, leavers, absences, and statutory leave/pay.
   • File P11D-B for benefits in kind.
5. Audit and Compliance:
   • Coordinate annual audits with external auditors and department managers.
   • Assist in writing and finalizing the Annual Trustee report.
   • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
   • Liaise with auditors and third-party contractors.
     • Assist with annual reviews from charity commissions and banks.
     • Develop and enforce financial policies and procedures.
6. Financial Planning and Analysis:
   • Support CFO in month-end and year-end processes
   • Assist in forecasting and budget preparation.
   • Conduct variance analysis and review balance sheet reconciliations.
   • Implement audit recommendations.
   • Stay informed about accounting software and technological advances.
   • Insurance – ensure adequate cover for insurance.

Role Requirements

•  Able to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role to get the job done.

Qualifications/ Skills Required

• Recognised professional accounting qualification or enroute to qualification
• Educated to degree standard
• Work experience is essential – 2-3 years in a busy organisation, preferably a UK charity
• Knowledgeable of the regulatory and reporting requirements for a UK Charity
• Technically and managerially competent with impact awareness of specialist areas including accounting, controls and governance, audit, ethics and risk management
• IT literate – Microsoft, finance and management accounting systems, ERP systems
• Experience in XERO and Gift Aid will be an added advantage
• Additional languages such as Punjabi, Hindi or Urdu would be advantageous