Assistant Accountant, Woking/Hybrid working

Organisation
Catalyst Support is a leading Surrey charity dedicated to championing wellness across communities, transforming lives by addressing mental, physical, and emotional health needs. Guided by the belief that wellness is a right for all, Catalyst Support embodies its motto, Supporting Wellness Together, by empowering individuals and communities with innovative, accessible services. With embedded values of kindness, integrity, and commitment, the charity strives to create sustainable, transformative social impact. Through strong partnerships, ethical governance, and initiatives focused on environmental and financial sustainability, Catalyst Support aligns its efforts with national health priorities, embracing the opportunities to lead the way in integrated, preventative, and community-based care.

Purpose of Job
The Assistant Accountant will support the Finance Manager in ensuring all financial aspects run smoothly and efficiently. The Assistant Accountant will work with both Catalyst Support Limited (Catalyst) and Alpha Community Outreach (Alpha), liaise with People and Culture (Payroll) and business partner with Service Managers in the delivery of our projects. This post is subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level. Please note past drug and/or alcohol or criminality history will not necessarily discount you from undertaking this role.

Key Activities:

• To produce monthly project reporting and monitoring with the Finance Manager and work collaboratively with Service Managers / Senior Leadership Team.
• To assist the Finance Manager in producing monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc project reports for service managers and donors/funders.
• To assist the Finance Manager in producing quarterly management accounts and year-end accounts.
• To assist the Finance Manager in maintaining and managing the Sales Ledger function for Catalyst, including raising sales invoices, issuing to customers, responding to any queries and processing monthly recharges.
• To produce bi-monthly staff expenses in line with timetable.
• To maintain and manage the fixed asset register.
• To provide oversight of the purchase ledger for subsidiary and produce a quarterly intercompany journal.
• To work with Financial Accountant to set up bank payments in line with segregation of duties, and on Bank Reconciliations.
• To provide cover for the Financial Accountant as required.
• To occasionally support the Payroll process.
• To highlight any financial risks and discrepancies immediately to the Finance Manager.
• You may be required to cover duties not listed within this job description.

General terms of reference:

• Work collaboratively across the organisation to offer support to all main functions.
• Be committed to the role and support Catalyst to be the most efficient it can be.
• Be someone who believes in fairness and conducts themselves with integrity.
• Work flexibly across operational sites, including working from home arrangements in agreement with your line manager, as required, which may include evening and weekend work.
• Be motivated to improve personal performance, outcomes, contribution, knowledge and skills.
• Be professional when partaking in Management, Trustee Board and other work-related team meetings; appraisals, workforce development and supervision processes.
• Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation and identify good practices where appropriate.
• Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment for all staff on site or working remotely.
• Represent Catalyst at external agencies/meetings and support our values and the culture of Catalyst.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post.

Person Specification

• Minimum of 2 years accounting/finance background.
• Experience in production of accounts.
• Experience in purchase ledger including accruals, prepayments.
• Experience of controlling expenditure and working to budget.
• Experience of using Xero or a similar cloud-based system.
• Experience in cash management.
• Knowledge of payroll processes.
• Ability to multi-task, maintain accuracy and work to strict deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Good administration skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Good written and verbal skills, with a commitment to accurate and confidential record keeping.
• Proficient in Microsoft (MS) tools e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams.
• Advanced level MS Excel skills.
• Commitment to developing skills and knowledge base through ongoing learning and development.
• Ability to work flexibly across operational hours.
• Ability to work to the policies, procedures and standards of the Charity.

We acknowledge the unique contribution that all Catalyst employees and clients can bring to our organisation in terms of their culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, age, religion or belief and any physical disability or history of mental health or additional problems. All appointments and promotions are based on merit and no job applicant or employee will be treated unfairly or discriminated against. All staff have equal access to staff development. Any member of staff who breaches this policy may be subject to grievance and/or disciplinary procedures. Please note: This job description may be varied from time to time as agreed by the post holder and line manager. This job description is subject to annual review.