Year End Accountant Jobs in East Sussex

Location: Rochester Airport, Kent
Department: Corporate Services
Salary: £32,770 - £35,000 per annum
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week Monday to Friday
Contract Type: Permanent

We are Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS), and we fight every day to save lives. We are Team KSS, a close-knit team of dedicated, skilled, sector-leading experts with an incredible level of expertise. We are passionate about what we do which drives us to always deliver our very best.

We’re driven by our purpose of saving lives and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients. Last year alone we responded to over 3,000 incidents. We are fearless and tireless in fighting to save every life.

Our charity headquarters and forward operating base are located at Rochester Airport, with our aircraft hangar and maintained at Redhill Aerodrome. When the call comes, we can reach any part of Kent, Surrey or Sussex in under 30 minutes.

As part of the Corporate Services function it is your job to support the organisation, ensuring it is fit to grow and deliver its ambition. We aspire for excellence in all we do, maintaining full compliance with regulation and ensuring every penny we raise is spent with the high-level care and consideration it merits.

Key Responsibilities:

The accountant is responsible for the day to day and month end maintenance and reporting of one or more of the legal entities within KSS. The role involves inward/outward invoicing including payment progression, cash handling and banking duties as well as month end finalisation. It also requires business partnering with internal stakeholders at various levels across KSS.

As an accountant for KSS you will undertake tasks such as cashing and banking, purchase ledgers, sales ledger and credit controls, general accounting and finally dealing with merchandise and stock. Please see job description for full details.

Inclusion and Diversity

KSS is committed to creating an equal, diverse and truly inclusive culture where everyone feels welcome and able to be their authentic selves.

We believe that everyone has the right to live without fear or prejudice, and be treated fairly, and with respect and dignity regardless of race, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, social class, religion and belief.

We reserve the right to close the position early if the role is filled.

Benefits package is correct at the time this advert was published.

Benefits: 33 days annual leave rising with service, Occupational/Enhanced Sick Pay, Enhanced Parental Leave, Access to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Events, Access to the Wellbeing Hub, Money Purchase Pension Scheme, Group Life Assurance Cover Group Income Protection Cover, Critical Illness Cover, Employee Assistance Programmes, Development opportunities, etc.

REF-220367

The Finance Manager is a pivotal role ensuring that all income received is correctly reflected in the fundraising CRM system (Salesforce) and also in the finance software (Sage Intacct).

This role supports the Fundraising Director and Fundraising team with their understanding and knowledge of not only how to approach any new fundraising initiatives (to ensure they are financially complaint), but also to advise on any Tax/VAT concerns.

With exciting plans for the next three year strategy taking the chairty to 2028 and supporting more cancer patients than ever before, this role is key to the development of our income and financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analysis and reconciling of income from the different income platforms including income is captured within the correct entity (charity or the trading company), and with the correct VAT treatment
• Reconciliation of income between bank statements and Fundraising CRM system (Salesforce) working alongside the Fundraising team
• Preparing and uploading month-end income journals into Sage Intacct
• Debt reporting and debt chasing, including producing weekly debtors report with narrative
• Supporting the Fundraising team providing financial information; reviewing actuals against budget; supporting with setting budgets/forecasts
• Supporting the Finance Assistance with correct coding, entity and VAT for all sales invoices.
• Upload and/or authorise supplier and staff payments onto the banking system and run reports as and when required from the finance system
• VAT returns
• Control of Web Expenses (staff expenses portal)
• Monthly payroll, year-end payroll (P60’s and P11d returns) using Sage payroll software

In December 2024 we implemented a new finance system - Sage Intacct.  The new appointment must be willing to undertake approx 30 hours of online training (during work hours) to become competent at using the software.

We are working with an excellent community focused Charity with an ambitious vision, to recruit for their new Senior Finance Officer. The role will provide key support to the Head of Finance and will assist with management accounts, audit, transactions and payroll.  

Key responsibilities of the role:

· Preparing of month-end management account journals 

· Undertaking monthly balance sheet and bank reconciliations, investigating and resolving differences

· Maintaining the fixed asset register and quarterly depreciation calculations

· Preparing annual audit schedules and liaising with external auditors

· Assisting in preparing financial forecasts and cash flow projections

· Assisting in preparing the annual budget

· Meeting regularly with budget holders to assess financial performance and provide financial management information

· Overseeing accounts payable and receivable transactions

· Preparing Payroll for the Trust on a monthly basis

· Carrying out Payroll checks and any other duties as may be reasonably required

· Assisting the senior Finance Managers on matters related to VAT

Ideal candidate profile:

· A minimum of AAT level 3 qualification

· 3+ years’ experience in a Charity accounting department

· Strong financial accounting and year end experience

· Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels

Agency reference number: J87806

Location: Central London

Duration: Temporary to Permanent

Salary: £38,480 per annum + company benefits  

Working hours:  35 per week  

Working pattern: On site

Start: ASAP

This vacancy will be actively shortlisted so early applications are encouraged to avoid missing out.

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates

A mission-driven and impact focused single programme NGO is seeking an Interim Finance Director for a 1 year maternity cover contract. The role is fully remote (from within the UK) and is full-time (5 days per week) for a 12 month contract. There may be the requirement to travel to Ghana on occasion throughout the 12 months. A busy role, in a vibrant charity headed by a passionate Founder/CEO – the role represents the chance to be part of a fantastic international organisation.

Salary is £63,000 - £70,000 depending on skills and experience, and the role would best suit a fully-qualified accountant with significant experience managing global finance teams within the international development sector.

The organisation’s mission is to get 3-6 year old children in rural Africa to thrive.  They have developed an award-winning Early Childhood Development programme, proven its impact through rigorous evaluation, and scaled it with governments in both Ghana and Uganda. It is currently reaching over 300,000 children per year, and we aim to reach 1 million children per year by 2028. The programme benefits both preschool age children and unlocks the potential of marginalised rural parents.

With around 100 staff globally, the interim Finance Director will manage a diverse team of finance professionals. Your role will include setting and managing budgets, supporting fundraising strategy and proposals, overseeing spend and financial controls and processes.  You will lead the finance team in Ghana made up of a Junior Finance Manager, four Finance Officers, two bookkeepers and a Procurement and Logistics Officer.  You will also manage the Uganda Finance Officer, and Global Finance Manager based in the UK.

The role will involve a mixture of hands-on accounting, complex donor reporting, consolidated and year-end accounts, budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning and financial modelling. Xero is used across the organisation, and financial year-end is December.

Duties include:

· Contribute to the development and implementation of the organisation’s scale and income-generation strategy, including exciting new opportunities for potential expansion to the southern regions in Ghana and exploring implementation of the programme in a new country.

· Develop and strengthen robust and flexible cost models (including sensitivity analyses/stress testing) to guide decisions around the pace and rate of scale, staffing & resource requirements, ensure value for money and maximise cost efficiencies.

· Develop robust budgets for new and renewal funder applications, considering complexities around funder restrictions, currency exchange and forecast economic conditions.

· Ensure that the organisation-wide financial systems, policies, procedures and internal controls and audits are robust, compliant and best practice to support current activities and future growth.

· Be pro-active in identifying ways to improve efficiencies and strengthen financial rigour, including leading on internal projects to enhance systems and processes to automate approvals and develop cost recovery models as we look to expand our operations outside Ghana and Uganda.

· Lead and coach the finance team to maintain and deliver operational excellence & financial rigour, closely monitoring the operating and financial reports against plans and budgets.

· Lead monthly financial reviews and oversee timely production of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports to the Board, donors and management team.

· Work with our internal operations and programmes team to develop financial systems so that direct financial support is provided to local government partners and they are able to take on responsibility for and account for programme budgets, including overseeing termly financial disbursements and reporting.

· Work with programmes team to build the capacity of local government partners in financial management, procurement, and budgeting so that they will eventually be able to fund and sustain the programme themselves. Create the budgets, financial information, documentation and materials for funding proposals.

· Oversee the creation of all financial reports for funders, ensuring mechanisms to track and report against restricted income are robust, and preparing financial analyses for funder

· Provide monthly and quarterly management accounts for trustees summarising current and forecast financial position for the year, cashflow analysis and KPI reporting.

· Attend trustee meetings, present information to the Board and liaise with Board members, including leading the quarterly Finance and Audit Committee meetings.

· Ensure that the Statutory Accounts for all entities are prepared, including internal information is collated and provided, external auditors are instructed and deliver to standard.

· Ensure all organisations are compliant with tax, regularity and legal requirements (e.g payroll, tax, NGO registration, insurance, registrations with regulatory authorities)

· Actively manage the performance and build the capacity of direct reports through training, coaching, holding 1to1s, setting performance goals, appraisals, developing new policies and practices.

Requirements: 

-Fully-qualified ACCA, CIMA, ACA essential

-Prior experience working as Head of Finance or Finance Director in an international development charity (NGO)

-Prior experience managing a global team

-Deep understanding of international charity finance - donor reporting, programmes finance, foreign currency transactions

-Strategic finance experience covering budgeting, scenario planning, consolidated accounting and financial modelling - within an NGO setting

-Must be able to start the role quickly - ideally immediately available or with a short notice period

Closing date: Ongoing / ASAP

Interviews: Ongoing - likely week commencing 7th April

Please send your CV for immediate consideration.

Deaf Unity is seeking an Organisational Development Consultant with experience of successfully supporting small charities through growth and change.  

We are planning the transition from a freelance to a PAYE salary structure and require support with: 

• Designing an appropriate staffing structure 

• Benchmarking salaries 

• Business and financial planning 

• HR/employment systems and policies, related training 

• Governance 

The overall aim of this commission is to establish an effective and well-managed staffing structure for the organisation, with strong systems and policies embedded across our teams. Ultimately this will build Deaf Unity’s stability and resilience for the long-term. 

Deaf Unity: mission and purpose 

Deaf Unity is a deaf-led charity (CIO), based in London, that works to empower, nurture and train deaf individuals. Our particular focus is on three main points of transition that are pivotal in enabling deaf people to realise their potential – and to thrive within and contribute fully to society. These transition points are: 

• leaving school to enter further/higher education 

• entering the workforce 

• progressing in the workplace 

We work with our community in London to identify the barriers deaf people face at every stage of this journey, empowering them to make informed choices and to succeed. We partner with stakeholders (universities, employers, voluntary sector partners) to decrease, overcome or eradicate these barriers altogether. 

From our home base in London, we work alongside our community and partners to develop and deliver new initiatives in response to clearly identified needs. We directly engage 300+ deaf people each year: inspiring and supporting school-leavers to take their first steps into higher education; empowering graduates and employees to navigate the world of work with confidence; and connecting deaf people with each other to build community, tackle isolation, mobilise around key issues and break down barriers to learning and employment. Sharing and dissemination of our work (including online to reach the national community) goes on to engage far greater numbers. 

Deaf Unity generates much of its income from providing interpreting and consultancy services and delivering training (British Sign Language and deaf awareness courses).  This activity fully aligns with our charitable mission and generates essential unrestricted funding to support our wider activities. Income in the year ending December 2023 was £115,316, of which over 80% was generated from course delivery and interpreting services. That year we generated a surplus of £11,102. 

Context for the commission 

To date, deaf Unity’s programmes have been delivered entirely by a freelance team: CEO, administrator,  tutors and project managers/coordinators leading on different streams of activity.  We have recently recruited a Training and Operations Manager (freelance) to lead on training and interpreting services. 

Activity continues to grow. Turnover in 2024 was c. £175,000 (final accounts are currently being produced), demand for courses is strong and we have had a successful year of fundraising. 

Our activities engage a broad range of beneficiaries, participants and stakeholders: deaf students and employees; our local deaf community in London; and many different stakeholders – universities, employers and local councils – working with us to remove the barriers that disadvantage deaf people and prevent access to opportunity. We are proud of a track record of impactful interventions that have made a real difference in the prospects of deaf learners, jobseekers and employees. 

This said, we have not reaped the full benefits of the partnerships and experience that have contributed to this success. A wholly freelance workforce means skills, knowledge, relationships and learning are regularly lost. We now wish to bring a core team into a salaried, PAYE structure to assure greater stability and continuity. We wish to invest in our people and demonstrate good employability practices, as champions of Deaf parity in the workplace. Specialist support is needed to ensure a good process, an affordable structure, and that appropriate systems, policies and structures are in place to support future work.

In late 2023, the Board of Trustees agreed a forward plan, setting out the charity’s objectives and the activities we plan to deliver over the next 3-5 years. Our work is guided by 5 high-level, strategic objectives. We aim that by 2028:

1. Deaf Unity will have created in partnership with London schools a high-quality, effective careers advice pack/toolkit which can be accessed digitally by schools across the UK to inspire and support deaf learners on their FE/HE/vocational journey.

2. Deaf Unity will be providing a comprehensive package of support around employability, that is recognised and in use by 5 leading nationwide employers and by the National Union of Students (NUS). 

3.  We will be hosting in London a highly respected, impactful annual event for deaf people in work that is reaching 100 deaf people each year, directly or indirectly 

4. Deaf Unity will be able to evidence that the CIO is making a substantial positive difference in the lives of learners, students and employees - through quantitative and qualitative feedback including testimonials and case studies 

5. Our organisation will be stable, financially secure and resilient, supported by strong governance and management systems and effective partnership networks

This commission directly supports objective 5. 

In parallel with this: 

1. Deaf Unity will work with an Evaluation specialist to develop a practical, effective evaluation framework and plan enabling us to capture and analyse our impact across the full range of our activities. This will enable us to improve the design and delivery of our services and activities, on an ongoing basis and to better evidence the charity’s impact and the difference we are making in people’s lives. 

2. Staff and Trustees will undertake training to address identified skills and knowledge gaps (a modest budget is allocated for this) 

This programme of development activity is kindly funded by Trust for London. 

In the course of the year Deaf Unity will also be working with a corporate partner offering pro-bono support to redevelop the website and advise on online course delivery. 

Overview of role 

The consultant will be required to lead and support Deaf Unity’s CEO and Board through a systematic approach to agreeing, implementing and embedding the new structure. We currently envisage that this will include: 

• A review of the functions, skills and competencies required to deliver Deaf Unity’s forward plan 

• Producing a proposed, costed staff structure, with salaries, rates of pay and conditions that are benchmarked against the sector and meet good practice e.g. in terms of Living Wage parity 

• Business planning to include producing a revised budget for 2025 (currently indicative only) and an indicative budget for 2026, based on current levels of activity/growth, to ensure that the new structure is affordable. (An in-depth business development process is planned for a later stage, separate from this commission) 

• A review of governance and existing policies

• Support with the transition process e.g. ensuring that the moving of any freelance staff to salaried contracts is compliant with the law and with good employment practice

• Development of a training plan (spanning the Board, staff and freelance team) to address identified skills gaps 

We will however welcome alternative proposals for how this work might most effectively be structured.

Schedule 

We aim to start work in mid April 2025, completing by end October 2025 (7 months). The consultant will be required to work flexibly throughout this period and this will be negotiated with you on appointment, bearing in mind your other commitments. 

Time commitment: estimated 15-20 days over a 7-month period 

Fees: Fixed fee is £8,250 inclusive of VAT and expenses 

Specification 

The consultant will - 

• Inform and guide the transition to this new staffing model and way of working, to ensure the resulting structures are effective, affordable and compliant with statutory requirements and with best practice 

• Provide hands-on practical support where necessary e.g. benchmarking salaries, drafting job descriptions, reviewing and updating budgets, reviewing policies 

• Be aware of and alert to Deaf Unity’s ongoing, parallel streams of activity (e.g. evaluation work, development of website) and strive to maximise synergies and added value linked to these 

• Have due regard throughout the process to Deaf Unity’s charitable objects, so as to ensure that all progress is made with these and the good of our beneficiaries in mind 

Person specification 

Essential 

• Evidenced skills and experience in supporting projects of this nature for third sector organisations that have limited capacity and resources 

• Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of employment/HR law and practice 

• An understanding of the operating context of a charity such as ours, that is reliant on mixed income streams including fees, public grants and charitable grants. 

• Experience of business planning for the voluntary sector 

• Exceptional communication and strong facilitation skills, coupled with sensitivity and a commitment to confidentiality 

Desirable 

• Some knowledge of British Sign Language 

• Familiarity with the XERO accounting system 

• Commitment to values of social justice and equity 

• Experience of working with the deaf community 

It is anticipated that you will work remotely: Deaf Unity currently does not use a main office. 

How to Apply 

To apply for this role, please submit an application of no more than 1000 words detailing your relevant experience and qualifications; two or more examples of past, comparable roles you have successfully completed and your interest in the project.  Please provide details of two referees.

Please submit this by 5pm on 7 April 2025.  Please use “Organisational Development” as your title.

This will be a Freelance contract. You will be responsible for paying your own Tax and NI contributions.

Interviews will be held online in the week commencing 14th or 21st April 2025 

Deaf Unity celebrates diversity and opportunity. We strive to ensure the deaf Community and its members have access to the same opportunities as those in wider society and the same chances to contribute their talent and skills to the workforce. We will guarantee an interview for all deaf applicants to this role who meet the essential criteria.