Financial Accounting Team Leader (Senior Finance O

Financial Accounting Team Leader (Senior Finance Officer)          Start date: ASAP Location: Waterloo, London Central Services is a key function which covers People, Finance, IT and Compliance.  Its aim is to provide great service via the best and most sustainable use of our resources and information.  ROLE SUMMARY This role is responsible for providing a highly efficient and dependable financial accounting service to the organisation As Senior Finance Officer of the Financial Accounting Team, the post holder has responsibility for supporting the Finance Accounting Manager in ensuring that the financial accounts of the Challenge and its subsidiary are maintained in accordance with the Charity SORP and relevant accounting standards. The key customers of the Senior Finance Officer are the Finance Leadership Team, the Director Team, Business Units, Internal and External Audit. The Senior Finance Officer will have also need to develop a close working relationship with Finance Business Partners. The Challenge The Challenge’s vision is a more integrated society where there is understanding and appreciation of each other’s differences. We design and deliver programmes that bring different people together to develop their confidence and skills in understanding and connecting with others. We believe everyone benefits when people from all walks of life come together to better know, understand and trust each other. This also applies to the people we employ to work with us. As an equal opportunities employer our aim is to have a diverse workforce to reflect the communities we work in. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic, rapidly growing organisation, working with young people and local communities across the country. For more information about what The Challenge does and what its values are, please visit our website. About the role Status:  This is a full-time, Permanent role Salary:  £30k per annum The post holder shall: - Be responsible for the monthly balance sheet reconciliations - Be accountable for managing all aspects of Accounts Payable ( including employee expenses) and Accounts Receivables ensuring compliance with finance policies and highlighting exception to the Financial Accounting Manager. - Be responsible for the management and control of prepaid and credit card systems and reconciliations and to continually review and to improve transaction processing service levels and efficiencies including prepaid and credit cards. - With the Financial Accounting Manager the continued development of the Challenge’s accounting system, being an ambassador for financial accounting and statutory reporting requirements in any systems development and formulating a roadmap for exploiting the system to achieve efficient and robust accounting in this area; - Be accountable for producing of the monthly management accounts for the FBP’s, checking for reasonableness and accuracy within 4 days of month end. KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: KNOWLEDGE Critical: A part qualified recognised accountancy qualification with a sound financial and business knowledge SKILLS Critical: Relevant theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge related to delivering professional accountancy support. Excellent interpersonal skills, a clear communicator and the ability to listen Strong customer service focus Strong attention to detail Advanced level of Microsoft Excel Cost and contribution conscious with a focus on value for money Desirable: Strong systems knowledge EXPERIENCE Critical: Experience of providing specialist advice to managers or customers, including explaining complex financial information or other similar technical information Experience of supervising and developing junior staff Desirable: Working for a non for profit organisation Played a lead role in implementing change Safeguarding Statement The Challenge is committed to safeguarding and protecting the young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our programmes. We expect all staff and post holders to share this commitment to safeguarding by ensuring compliance with our policies and practices. Why should you apply? In addition to being part of a fun, dynamic and challenging workforce, we are proud to offer an attractive benefits package including contributory pension, Simplyhealth cash plan, Ride 2 Work, childcare vouchers, season ticket travel card loan etc. to eligible employees. To apply:  Please apply by sending your CV and cover letter; vacancy closes by 12th December Interview process:  Will be a compentency based interview in early December Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK or have a valid visa or work permit for a minimum of 6 months at the time of application will be considered for this role.