Finance Assistant

Finance Assistant

People are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Day-by-day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We’re here to provide consistent, friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take ‘the next step’ towards a positive future. We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team – including those who have lived through homelessness. To make a difference we need to work flexibly, with everyday-leadership, humour and a ‘can do’ spirit. We want to make it easy, make it right, and make it happen – not only for the people we support, but also for each other. Our #OneTeam ethos is core to who we are, and it means caring for and supporting each other regardless of our role, service or location. This is how we roll. We want people who share these values to join us and become a part of the Simon Community Scotland family.

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a high calibre, self-motivated individual to join our successful charity in the role of Finance Assistant reporting to the Finance Manager, the Finance Assistant will assist in delivering a quality and professional finance service to ensure the Simon Community meets ethical and legal requirements and maintains financial efficiency and effectiveness. 

Job Purpose

The role involves undertaking routine accounting procedures to ensure operational financial transactions are undertaken in a timely manner and in compliance with the required financial instructions.

Key Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities in this post are as follows:

• Input all payments and income (cash, cheques, standing orders, direct debits etc.) onto the accounting software
• Ensure cash and cheques are banked regularly 
• Ensure petty cash reconciliations are completed monthly
• Issue statements and letters to service users for payments due
• Raise invoices to funders and others 
• Ensure timeous payment of suppliers by BACS or cheques
• Liaise with relevant statutory bodies to ensure prompt and efficient receipt of DWP income, Housing Benefit, Supporting People income etc.
• Contribute to the annual budgeting process and preparation of the organisational budget
• Assist with the preparation of monthly management accounts
• Assist with the preparation of annual statutory accounts and year end audit file
• Assist with the timely completion and submission of statutory and other periodic returns

Our values are built into every area of our activity and tell the story of how people remain at the heart of the Simon Community:

Warmth and Regard

• Recognising and valuing everyone (Equality and Diversity)
• Treating people with kindness, dignity and respect
• Acting with compassion
• Showing warmth and welcome to everyone
• Taking difficult decisions sensitively and with due regard to others
• Taking a calm, professional and intelligent approach to stigma

Inclusion and Participation

• Encouraging the participation and inclusion of people we support
• Exploring choices and options with people we support or fellow colleagues
• Making things easy for others
• Embracing technology in delivering your role*
• Supporting clients, staff and volunteers to become digitally included*

Personalised and Creative

• Innovation and creativity
• Helping to find solutions that are a good fit for someone, irrespective of who they are or the problem they have
• When someone isn’t at their best, quickly recognising there’s probably something else going on, and finding ways to respond with care

Supportive and Ambitious

• Helping to bring hope through our words and actions
• Helping to build trust
• Being supportive and showing care

Partnership and Collaboration

• Fostering positive relationships with our partners
• Building team togetherness and collaboration
• Fostering a positive problem-solving vibe

Leadership and Learning

• Making things happen
• Motivating and inspiring others
• Taking time to reflect on what’s working and what isn’t 
• Taking care of our ‘places and spaces’ so they feel tidy and welcoming
• Asking for help and learning to do things better
• Playing an active role in our social media strategy*

Person Specification

Training and qualifications

Essential

• HNC Accounts 

Desirable

• Degree

Experience

Essential

• Flexibility in working practices with the ability to react to changing demands 

Desirable

• Experience of working in the charity sector
• Experience of working within an office environment

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• IT proficient, in particular with Google 
• Good communication skills
• Experience of working with accounting software

Desirable

• A knowledge of social care funding and charity accounting

Personal

Essential

• Values-driven with an appreciation for the work we do
• A can-do and hands-on approach
• Ability to be flexible and support other team members