Salary: £25,935 - £29,500 Salary based on qualifications and experience Position: Full Time (37.5 hours per week) Positions available: 1 Closing date: 31st March 2026 Finance and Referral Assistant Responsible to – Finance Manager £25,935 – £29,500, 37.5 hours per week. Overall Purpose Of The Job The post holder is responsible for working with both the Finance Team and the Children’s Placement Referrals Team to make sure that shared processes run smoothly and efficiently. The job will be coordinated between the two teams so that information flows correctly and tasks are completed on time. Finance Support– Provide support to the Finance Team by helping ensure that all financial procedures are followed correctly and that accurate monthly financial information is prepared on time for the leadership team and directors. Referrals Support – Work with the Children’s Placement Referrals Team to support external referrals from local authorities for residential, fostering, and school placements. This includes making sure that all referral processes are robust, well-organised, and completed promptly. Key Roles And Responsibilities Supporting the Finance Manager with the day-to-day accounting cycle, including maintaining both sales and purchase ledgers. Performing key reconciliations such as bank reconciliations to include but not limited to petty cash. Raising sales invoices and credit control. Be responsible for the aged debtors’ process. Support and run the payroll processes for the organisation, including the pension. Processing invoices on accounts payable and paying suppliers. Organising, Processing, and tracking company Purchase Orders. Monitor the Children Residential homes spend and provide analysis. Balance sheet reconciliations. Manage general data entry using Xero and Sage. Organising, negotiating and liaising with utility contracts to include but not limited to Gas, Electric and mobile phone contracts. Support with the administration of the contracts process for all children placements within the organisation. Support with KPI data sourcing for Local Authorities we have framework agreements with. Support with Information/data gathering for Local Authorities Commissioning system. Liaising with Local authority contacts around referrals and arrangements for placement. Liaising with our Residential homes around potential placements. Support Placement Manager/Placement Officer with administration of referrals and placements. Ensuring all required paperwork has been added to the correct database and recorded appropriately. Supporting the Placement Manager/Placement Officer with any administration tasks that may be required. Key Skills And Attributes Excellent working knowledge of Xero accounting software (or similar) Good understanding of Sage Payroll software. Highly organised with the ability to prioritise tasks and work under pressure. Advanced Excel skills. Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills High attention to detail A problem-solving approach to work Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with honesty and integrity. Knowledge of key accounting principles. Personal Qualities Polite and friendly manner with a can-do attitude Enthusiastic, flexible, and hard working Ability to work on own initiative. Reliable and punctual Professional Experience And Qualifications Good general education, GSCE Maths & English desirable At least three year’s previous experience in a similar role. AAT Level 2 or 3 (or qualified by experience). Experience using Sage or a similar payroll software. Channels and Choices are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people in our care. Staff are all required to adhere to the organisation’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. This post will be subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure, an employment background check, satisfactory references & verification of a right to work in the UK. As part of our commitment to Safer Recruitment, CVs cannot be considered without a completed application form. Channels & Choices are committed to ensuring that we are always recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues who are representative of the diversity in our local community. We actively celebrate our staff’s different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome to apply for a job with Channels & Choices and our staff are supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us. Channels and Choices reserve the right to carry out background social media checks on all new applicants. Apply now Vacancies