Unit 5, Yeovil Small Business Centre,

Houndstone Business Park, YEOVIL,

Somerset, BA22 8WA

March 2017

Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in our Community Finance Officer post.

It’s an exciting time to join our small, friendly team, providing a range of support services to voluntary and community groups.Good financial procedures are obviously vital to the sustainability of any organisation. Many of the charities and communities that we work with can sometimeslack the expertise,confidenceand capacity to implement the procedures that they need to thrive. We’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced person who will not onlysupport the finance function of thecharity,but will also help grow a new Community Accountancy service for voluntary groups. Most importantly, you will need to understand charity finance, with its specific procedures and challenges. An accounts qualification – AAT or accountant– is also desirable.

The post is part-time, for 15 hours a week initially, but there will be the opportunity for additional hours, or recruitment of support staff, should the demand arise.

You will find more details of the post to follow, including a job description, person specification and application form. CVs will not be accepted. Please send your completed form to or to the office address above. Closing date for submission of your application is Monday 27th March at 5pm. If you have any questions in the meantime, or would like to have an informal discussion about the post, please contact me: ; 01935 475914. We look forward to receiving your application.

Kind Regards

Katherine Nolan, Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title of Post:Community Finance Officer

Salary Scale:£25,000-27,000pro rata

Hours of work:15 hours per week

Benefits:24 days annual holiday + bank holidays pro rata

Responsible to:Manager

Special Conditions:Ability to travel

1.Job Role:

To provide finance services to Spark.

To coordinate the provision of accountancy servicesto Voluntary & Community Organisations.

2.Main Responsibilities:

To provide full day-to-day accounting services to Spark.

Coordinate the development of a community accountancy service, which may include:

  • Carry out preparation of statutory accounts, management accounts and book-keeping for charities and social enterprises.
  • Preparation of Gift Aid returns, if applicable.
  • Provide advice on financial matters such as payroll issues, annual returns to HMRC, cash flow forecastsbudgets and charity accounts.
  • Provide support on the setting up of good financial systems (cash books, paper trails, computerised accounts, spreadsheets etc) and internal financial controls.
  • Provide advice and support on financial legislation, including the Charities Acts and Regulations, the Accounting and Reporting by Charities SORP and the Companies Acts.
  • File annual returns to both Charity Commission and HMRC
  • Ensure a high quality and appropriate service is accessible to all sections of the local voluntary sector.

3.General Requirements

  • Participate in training and information briefings and maintain an up to date knowledge of voluntary sector.
  • Attend supervision sessions and staff meetings.
  • Carry out occasional other duties as agreed within supervision to develop the aims of the project.
  • To undertake any other duties as outlined by your Manager.
  • Undertake such personal training as may be required to keep up to date and fulfil the professional requirements identified for this job description.
  • To have a collaborative and flexible approach to work undertaken by Spark.

4.Equal Opportunities

Spark is committed to equal opportunities, anti discrimination and anti oppressive policy or practice. No one we have contact with may be discriminated against either directly orindirectly on the grounds of gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age or impairment. This policy applies to job applicants, employees, volunteers and service users.

5.Notes

  • All jobs are subject to change from time to time and this job description will be reviewed regularly.
  • The job description is a guide to the work that you will be required to undertake and represents a range of responsibilities in line with the grade for the post.
  • This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE
  1. Two years experience
  2. Preparing and independently examining annual accounts.
  3. Preparing and reviewing management accounts and budgets.
  4. Experience of using Quickbooks.
  5. Experience of using SAGE payroll.
  6. Experience and understanding of charity financial management.
  7. Line management and supervision of staff.
/ Desirable
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Desirable
Essential
Desirable
SKILLS
  1. Excellent numeracy and financial awareness.
  2. Knowledge of computer based accounting systems
  3. Delivery of group presentations.
  4. Able to be self-supporting in the use of computers - word processing, Email, spreadsheets and databases.
  5. Good general computer literacy with a good knowledge of the Windows environment and its applications, especially Word and Excel.
  6. Administrative skills – able to develop and maintain good administrative systems, particularly information systems.
  7. Ability to cope with a busy and varied workload, meeting tight deadlines.
  8. Ability to assess information and produce objective and informed reports.
  9. Interpersonal skills – good communication skills, able to relate to a wide range of people from differing backgrounds, cultures and professions.
  10. Organisational skills – ability to plan and manage own time effectively.
  11. Equal opportunity – able to ensure that equality of opportunity and is fully integrated into every aspect of the work.
/ Essential
Essential
Desirable
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
QUALIFICATIONS
  1. AAT qualified or equivalent or QBE
  2. Fully Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
/ Essential
Desirable
Personal
  1. Attention to detail and accuracy.
  2. Methodical approach and ability to maintain accurate and transparent data systems.
  3. Ability to work to tight deadlines.
  4. Ability to plan and prioritise work
  5. Ability to work as part of a team.
  6. A willingness to learn new skills as systems and needs develop.
/ Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
  1. Able to relate to a wide range of people.
  2. Ability to travel, own transport.
/ Essential
Essential

Application for Employment

Notes for completion:
Please complete this form in black ink, or return via email to
Additional sheets may be attached.
Please complete all sections.
Post Applied for:
1. PERSONAL DETAILS
SURNAME: / FIRST NAMES:
ADDRESS: / HOME PHONE NUMBER:
WORK PHONE NUMBER:
Have you a current full driving licence? / Do you own/have access to a car?
Where did you hear about the job?

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, Spark (SSVCA) will hold and use data held on you for administration purposes only. We would stress that your personal data is available only to Spark and not for direct access by third parties.

2. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
SECONDARY SCHOOL/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ETC / DATES
FROM TO / QUALIFICATIONS / GRADE
PRESENT/PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT AND VOLUNTARY WORK
(most recent first)
DATES
TO FROM / NAME & ADDRESS OF EMPLOYER / JOB TITLE & BRIEF OUTLINE OF RESPONSIBILITIES / REASON FOR LEAVING
5. Please explain your suitability for this post, with particular reference to the job description and person specification (use additional sheets if required)
6. CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS
Do you have a criminal record, including any pending convictions? All information given will be used only to assess the applicants’ suitability for the post and that they will be considered on merit and ability. Please enclose any disclosure letter marked private and confidential for the attention of the Chief Executive
7. WORKING IN THE UK
Do you have the right to work in the UK?
(You will be required to provide proof of identity prior to commencing employment).
8. REFERENCES
NAME: / NAME:
ADDRESS & TELEPHONE NUMBER / ADDRESS & TELEPHONE NUMBER
POSITION / POSITION
MAY WE CONTACT THIS REFEREE PRIOR TO INTERVIEW?
YES/NO / MAY WE CONTACT THIS REFEREE PRIOR TO INTERVIEW?
YES/NO
9. DECLARATION
I declare that the information given on this application form is to the best of my knowledge true and complete.
SIGNED / DATE

Please return this form to: Kerry Wills – .

Deadline: Monday 27thMarch, 2017 at 5pm.

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