Job Description
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