Finance Officer in Reading

Location: Reading, Hybrid (at least once per month to Reading Office)

Hours: 21 hours per week

Salary: £30,124 pro rata £17,097.41 for 21 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent, Part Time

Campaign Closes: 22nd June 2026

Interviews: First stage: 24th/25th June 2026, Second stage: 30th June 2026

On occasion, we may close a vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible, as we will be shortlisting on a rolling basis.

Core Purpose

To deliver high quality, accurate, and responsive financial support that ensures the smooth operation of Make-A-Wish finance function. This role is central to maintaining the integrity of financial data through timely processing of transactions, effective communication with stakeholders, and diligent reconciliation of accounts. By supporting both internal teams and external partners, the role helps uphold financial compliance and operational efficiency, enabling Make-A-Wish to focus on granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.

Key Responsibilities

• Customer and Communication Support
  • Monitor the finance mailbox daily, ensuring all emails are reviewed and responded to in a timely, professional, and accurate manner.
  • Provide first-line support for internal and external customer queries, escalating complex or unresolved issues to the appropriate team member or manager.
  • Handle incoming calls to the finance team, offering courteous and knowledgeable assistance.
  • Accurately log call details and follow up on outstanding queries to ensure resolution and customer satisfaction.
• Sales and Purchase Processing
  • Process sales invoices accurately and efficiently in accordance with MAW’s financial procedures, ensuring correct coding, VAT treatment, and timely dispatch to customers.
  • Set up new customers and suppliers on the finance system, verifying all required documentation and approvals are in place.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records to support compliance and audit readiness.
  • Process purchase ledger invoices (approx. 360 per month), ensuring they are matched to purchase orders, coded correctly, and approved in line with internal controls.
  • Resolve discrepancies promptly to avoid payment delays.
  • Create payment runs and upload onto the bank for approval, ensuring approvals are obtained in a timely manner.
• Reconciliations and Debt Management
  • Perform supplier statement reconciliations regularly, identifying and resolving aged or unmatched items.
  • Liaise with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure accounts are accurate and up to date.
  • Monitor outstanding sales invoices, escalating overdue items to the relevant ‘requestor’ or budget holder.
  • Support the credit control process by providing timely updates and assisting with follow-up actions.
  • Conduct income reconciliations on a regular basis, ensuring all income is accurately recorded and discrepancies are investigated and resolved.
  • Reconcile balance sheet accounts as assigned, maintaining clear audit trails and supporting documentation for all entries.
• Expense and Credit Card Management
  • Process monthly credit card statements, ensuring all transactions are supported by receipts, correctly coded, and approved in line with company policy.
  • Review and process employee expense claims, checking for accuracy, policy compliance, and appropriate authorisation before submission for payment.
• Inventory and Stock Control
  • Conduct stock takes at agreed intervals, working with relevant departments to ensure accurate counts and investigate variances.
  • Support the maintenance of accurate stock records in the finance system.
• Financial Recording and Reporting
  • Post and process journal entries for accruals, prepayments, and other adjustments to ensure the general ledger reflects accurate and complete financial information.
  • Maintain supporting documentation for all entries.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Identify process improvements and opportunities for automation, making recommendations to line manager and supporting implementation.
• General and Ad-Hoc Support
  • Support with ad-hoc finance tasks as required, including data entry, reporting, and assisting with audits or internal reviews.
  • Provide cover for team members during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of service and workload management.
  • Take on additional duties as appropriate to the level of the role and contribute to team objectives.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in a finance or accounts role, with a solid understanding of financial processes such as invoicing, reconciliations, and ledger management.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and financial reporting.
• GCSE Maths or equivalent, grade 4/5 (C) or above.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to respond professionally to internal and external queries.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing workload effectively and meeting deadlines.
• Proficient in using finance systems, particularly Xero and Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with integrity and discretion.
• Strong organisational skills and a methodical approach to problem-solving.
• Willingness to learn.
• Positive and ‘can do’ attitude.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working within a charity, non-profit, or mission-driven organisation.
• Experience with stock control or inventory management.
• Knowledge of VAT and basic accounting principles.
• AAT qualification or working towards a relevant finance qualification.
• Experience supporting audits or financial reviews.
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities and support team members during absences.
• Proficiency in finance systems, Lightyear & JOIIN.