Finance Officer

Job title: Finance Officer

Responsible to: Finance Manager

Responsible for: n/a

Salary: FTE £24,642 which will be £14,785.25 for 21 hours per week.  

Hours of work: 21 hours per week (Hybrid); Flexible working requests welcomed; Job-share considered

Annual leave: 30 days + eight bank holidays per year (pro rata as per the contractual hours)

Location: Hybrid, Bristol office

Closing date: 2nd May 2025

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a long-term (chronic), fluctuating, neurological disease that causes symptoms affecting many body systems, more commonly the nervous and immune systems. ME affects an estimated 250,000 people in the UK, though research suggests there are roughly 1.3 million people living in the UK with ME or ME-like symptoms.

Action for M.E. is the only charity in the UK providing direct support, including healthcare services to children and adults with M.E. We provide vital support services, campaign for change and invest in ground-breaking research to help put an end to the ignorance, injustice and neglect experienced by people with ME.

In this role, you will play a vital role in promoting the charity and its work and engaging with the ME community to ensure they can access the support and services they need; and that those around them have a better understanding of ME and its impact, including professionals, policy-makers, and the public.

Job Description 

Job purpose 

You will be responsible for managing the financial transactions of the organisation. Working closely with the Finance Manager to ensure all financial systems are implemented effectively while ensuring data integrity and compliance with accounting standards. In addition, you will assist the Finance Manager in maintaining a functional and safe office environment in accordance with employment and health and safety laws. 

Key duties 

Financial 

• Accounts Payable. Manage the day-to-day accounts payable activity to support the organisation's short-term obligations owed to its creditors or suppliers, including but not limited to: 

• Utilise cloud-based software to manage supplier invoice activity.  

• Dealing with external creditor and supplier queries. 

• Assisting the Finance Manager with supplier contract renewals.  

• Manage and reconcile expense activity across all business cards utilising cloud-based software where appropriate. 

• Resolve accounting discrepancies.  

• Account Receivable. Manage the day-to-day accounts receivable activity between the organisation and its clients, customers, and donors, including but not limited to: 

• Process all incoming post and utilise the CRM database to record any fundraising income.    

• Ensure cheques are deposited weekly in accordance with finance policy and procedures.   

• Ensure accurate billing for goods or services, not including those related to healthcare.  

• Reconcile incoming payments against all invoices. 

• Month End and Period End. Assist the Finance Manager in the preparation of accurate monthly, quarterly, and yearly accounts by performing activities including but not limited to: 

• Auditing and correcting where necessary the accounting allocation of transactional detail in accounting software. 

• Monitor and audit aged debtors and creditors- correcting errors, reconciling unallocated payments, and chasing missing invoices where needed. 

• Utilise the CRM database to calculate and submit the monthly gift aid return and perform the journal entry into accounting software.   

• Payroll Administration. Collate salary transactional data from payroll reports, update payroll apportionment sheet and prepare journal for entry into accounting software.  

• Participate in Finance Audits. Maintain records at a level which meets the needs of external auditors. Assist the Finance Manager in the preparation of document evidence and be on hand to assist during the field week section of the external audit.  

• Office Duties. Assist the Finance Manager in various office duties including but not limited to: 

• Monitoring office supply levels and replenish where necessary.  

• Maintaining the organisation's small asset register.  

Other duties 

• To maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times throughout all duties and responsibilities 

• Attend and contribute constructively to meetings as required. 

• Positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.  

• Keep up-to-date with best practice and comply with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, working within the organisation’s policies and procedures and ensure that good practice is observed. 

• Undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Finance Manager, Chief Executive or any other member of the Senior Leadership Team.