At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our finance team to manage financial controls and reporting.
- Company: Oaklea, a charity making a positive impact in people's lives.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, private healthcare, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Fun, dynamic team atmosphere with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a difference while developing your finance skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: AAT Level 4 or working towards an accounting qualification; strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 45000 £ per year.
Salary: £32,086.60 per annum
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Hours: 35 per week
Benefits - We Are Offering:
- 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) increasing with long service.
- Pension contributions into NEST Scheme on a salary sacrifice basis meaning NI savings.
- Opportunities to undertake qualifications related to the role.
- Private Health Care scheme funded by Oaklea.
- Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support.
- Award scheme and recognition at every 5 years.
- Access to foundation and bespoke training and development.
About Us:
The Finance Department based at Oaklea’s Station House Office in Kendal are looking to appoint a Senior Finance Officer for 35 hours per week.
About the Role:
The position is based 3/4 days in office and a day home working, based in Kendal, however occasional travel will be required to all sites within the group.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
This is a broad accounting role combining financial control, core transactional finance and management accounting within a small but developing finance team. The role supports the Finance Director in maintaining strong financial controls across the Group and delivering accurate, timely financial reporting. You will contribute to the monthly close process, support budget monitoring and forecasting, and help ensure compliance with charity accounting requirements, including SORP. This position offers an opportunity to deepen management accounting and business partnering capability under the mentorship of the Finance Director, contributing to the development of a more data-driven and insight-led finance function.
Work within the Finance team to ensure appropriate financial systems are in place to effectively and accurately monitor and record the income and expenditure of the organisation. Support the Finance Officers & Finance Director in ensuring all financial issues are effectively resolved. Ensure that deadlines for the input of income and expenditure are met in order for the Finance Manager to run accurate and timely Management Accounts. Support operational managers at our subsidiary company in making sound financial decisions.
Skills and experience Required:
- The successful candidate will need to be accurate, a fast learner, flexible and enjoy a varied job in a busy office environment.
- Strong Excel capability (including XLOOKUP, SUMIF/SUMIFS, Pivot Tables, charts).
- Solid grounding in core accounting processes: banking, accounts receivable, accounts payable.
- Strong understanding of how to use an accounting system (e.g., Access Dimensions or similar).
- Able to develop reports and presentation materials from source data and information.
- Experience contributing to a structured monthly close process.
- Experience preparing balance sheet reconciliations and journals.
- Exposure to management accounting and financial reporting.
- Experience reviewing or supporting the work of others.
- Ability to manage workload with good planning and time management to solve problems and meet deadlines.
- Clear and confident communication with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
- AAT Level 4 qualified or working towards a recognised accounting qualification.
An Enhanced DBS will be required for each successful candidate (Paid for by Oaklea, T&Cs apply).
If you are looking for a fun and rewarding role then this could be the opportunity you have been waiting for. We’re looking for an enthusiastic team member who will fit into a small and busy team, have fun, make friends and to learn and develop as an individual.
No agencies please.
Senior Finance Officer – Kendal, Cumbria employer: Right2work
At Oaklea, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the picturesque town of Kendal, our finance team enjoys a collaborative environment with opportunities for training and development, competitive benefits including generous holiday allowance and private healthcare, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community through our charitable work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Officer – Kendal, Cumbria
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might know about opportunities at Oaklea. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a job offer before it even hits the job boards!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your Excel skills and understanding of accounting processes. We want you to shine when discussing your experience with financial reporting and management accounting. Practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm! When you apply through our website, make sure to highlight why you're excited about the Senior Finance Officer role. Let us know how you can contribute to our team and make a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your interest and professionalism. Plus, it keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Officer – Kendal, Cumbria
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Finance Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in financial control and management accounting, and don’t forget to showcase your strong Excel skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for our team at Oaklea. Mention your passion for finance and how you can contribute to our mission of making a positive difference.
Showcase Your Skills:In your application, be sure to highlight your experience with core accounting processes and any exposure to management accounting. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Don’t hesitate – we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Right2work
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around management accounting and charity accounting requirements. Be ready to discuss how you’ve contributed to financial reporting and the monthly close process in your previous roles.
✨Excel Skills on Display
Since strong Excel capability is a must, prepare to showcase your skills. Bring examples of reports or analyses you've created using functions like XLOOKUP, SUMIF/SUMIFS, and Pivot Tables. You might even be asked to solve a problem on the spot!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This role is all about collaboration within a small team. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve worked with others to resolve financial issues or support operational managers in making sound financial decisions. Highlight your communication skills with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
✨Plan for the Unexpected
In a busy office environment, flexibility is key. Think of instances where you’ve had to manage your workload effectively under tight deadlines. Discuss your time management strategies and how you prioritise tasks to ensure everything runs smoothly.
