Finance Officer

Location: Office- based in Bargoed

Contract Type: Full-time/permanent

Salary: £28,000 - £30,000 (depending on experience)+ up to 6% pension contributions following a successful probation period

Who we are and what we do

Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent (CACBG) is one of the largest Citizens Advice services in Wales and across the Citizens Advice network. We are an established and well regarded local independent charity who provides free, impartial and confidential advice.

CACBG provide a variety of services across Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent, with a smaller number available further afield.

We also undertake Research and Campaign work to influence policy makers and to effect change.

Our main office is in Bargoed. From here we operate a range of service delivery channels including drop-in sessions, appointments, telephone, letter and home visits. when feasible. We also run weekly outreach services across Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent.

We provide a range of specialist services to help people resolve their debt and welfare benefits problems and provide advice on energy issues. Help to Claim assists people with new Universal Credit claims. Other services target those experiencing mental health issues, or living with learning disabilities.

Our Caerphilly office is a 170 seat contact centre that provides a number of services under contract to national Citizens Advice.

What we give our staff

We offer an attractive remuneration package with excellent benefits:

• Hybrid Working (following completion of a successful probationary period)

• Ongoing personal training and development

• 24/7 access to our Employee Well-Being Service, which includes a virtual GP and perks such as high street shopping discounts

• Pension scheme

• A safe and friendly working environment

• Eye care voucher

• Healthy work/life balance

Role Profile

Reporting to the Finance Manager you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of our financial transactions and maintain accurate records within our accounts system, as well as assisting the Finance Manager to ensure the charity remains compliant with all statutory financial regulations and help coordinate the preparation of data to meet key reporting requirements and external audit requirements.

Working alongside the Senior Management Team, the Finance Officer will oversee our various governance practices to ensure that policies, checks and other critical documentation is in place, developing a strong understanding of charity governance.

This job description reflects the immediate requirements and responsibilities of the post. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties but gives a general indication of work undertaken which may vary in detail in the light of changing demands and priorities.

Person specification

Key duties and responsibilities of the role

Finance Administration

• Processing transactions including purchase ledger, sales ledger, nominal ledger, payroll journals, general journals, bank postings and reconciliations

• To receive, check and process petty cash requests, supplier invoices and staff expenses

• To raise and distribute customer invoices in line with the invoicing schedule and funds flow.

• To perform credit control or other follow up calls that ensure prompt payments from customers

• To maintain the electronic cash book, ledgers, and other books of prime entry

• Running weekly payment runs

• Maintain a purchase order system

• Assist the Finance Manager in the preparation of the monthly/quarterly management accounts.

• Support the Finance Manager with the year-end procedures

• Assisting with the budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management

• General office administrative duties, when appropriate

• Professional Development

• Keep up-to-date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training including annual GDPR training

• Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed.

• Prepare for and attend supervision sessions/team meetings/staff meetings as appropriate

• Identify your own training needs and agree with your line manager training and development activities to be undertaken

Other duties and responsibilities

• Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the advice service.

• Demonstrate commitment to the aims and principles of Citizens Advice

• Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues

Person specification

The successful candidate for this role should possess the following skills:

Essential

• Previous experience in a finance officer or similar role

• Previous experience using with Microsoft Excel is essential, and some experience using other Microsoft Office packages

• Experience administering databases and maintaining the accuracy of records

• IT literate and has studied or worked in an information systems environment

• Demonstrates a proven track record communicating effectively with others

• Demonstrates an ability to juggle multiple deadlines and yet produce quality work

• Meticulous attention to detail

• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills

• Understanding the importance of handling confidential work in a sensitive manner

• Good organisational and time management skills as the role may have conflicting deadlines

• Demonstrate sound work ethics

Desirable

• Previous experience using Google Workspace would be advantageous

• Advanced Excel skills

• Welsh speaker