Sight for Wight, the Island’s oldest charity, supports people living with and affected by Sight Loss. We are looking to appoint a Finance Officer to manage all aspects of our accounts and charity compliance.
Thank you for your interest in the role. The Isle of Wight Society for the Blind is the oldest working charity on the Isle of Wight, celebrating 160 years this year. We have two distinct brands here at the charity: Sight for Wight, which offers lifelong support to anyone living with sight loss, and WightSense, which offers rehabilitation services and support to people living on the Island with sight and/or hearing loss on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council.
In 2020, we decided to review the work of Sight for Wight comprehensively. We engaged with our members to understand their needs. As a result, the Board of Trustees and staff developed the 2020 Strategy, which has guided our work. We have mapped out island-wide provision for visually impaired people, aligned with our members' needs, and identified gaps we are working to fill in partnership with other organizations across the Island.
The Finance Officer will need proven solid accounting experience, capable of working independently to manage the entire accounting function (payroll is handled externally), and collaborating closely with the CEO to maintain strict financial control. Managing costs for fundraising events and new projects is a key part of the role, requiring teamwork with other staff members.
Job Description
The primary focus of the Finance Officer for both the main charity and the trading company includes:
1. Processing all accounting transactions, including purchases, sales, and nominal ledger entries.
2. Producing and analyzing quarterly reports, including income and expenditure, balance sheets, and budget performance.
3. Ensuring all transactions are recorded against project codes and grant funding requirements.
4. Preparing and managing cash flow and collating information on investment performance.
5. Preparing annual budgets and reporting on variances.
6. Embedding existing and developing robust financial procedures.
7. Producing year-end accounts for submission to independent examiners.
8. Ensuring compliance with governance and legal requirements.
Further responsibilities include:
1. Maintaining high levels of accuracy, punctuality, personal presentation, and professionalism.
2. Engaging with the office team, prioritizing the needs of members at all times.
Please apply by sending your completed application form and CV, demonstrating how you meet the role's requirements. Ensure that:
1. There are no unexplained gaps in your employment history.
2. You provide two references, including from current or past employers.
3. Referees for self-employment know the quality of your professional work.
Applications should be sent via email to ceo@iwsb.org.uk. The closing date is 5 pm on Friday, 15th August 2025. Interviews will be held the following week, and an immediate start is available.
Good luck with your application.
J.D. Viette - CEO, Sight for Wight
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