Job Description
Post Title: Finance Officer
Reporting To: Head of Finance
Location: The post will be based at Daisy Chain Day Centre, Norton and may be required to travel across the region.
Salary: £29,000 - £31,000 per annum, depending on experience
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Duration of Contract: Permanent
About Daisy Chain
Daisy Chain is a North East Charity supporting autistic and neurodivergent children, young people, adults, and their families. Since opening in 2003, we have grown significantly, delivering a wide range of services including therapeutic support, activities, outreach, employability programmes, specialist education and family support.
We are an ambitious, values-driven organisation undergoing an exciting period of development. With new services, increasing partnership work and a growing income portfolio, our finance function is evolving to ensure strong controls, timely reporting and the right foundations for future growth.
Joining Daisy Chain means being part of a supportive, passionate team committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of neurodivergent people across the region.
JOB OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Head of Finance, we are seeking an experienced Finance Officer with strong end to end payroll knowledge to join our Finance team. The role will primarily focus on managing the monthly payroll process, overseeing purchase ledger activities, and supporting core finance operations to ensure the smooth running of the finance function.
The postholder will support the charity’s commitment to creating an inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming workplace aligned with Daisy Chain’s ethos and values.
Please find out more information about the charity here.
KEY TASKS
Payroll:
- Manage end-to-end payroll processes, including PAYE, pensions, expenses and statutory payments
- Process starters, leavers, salary changes, overtime, sessional hours and deductions
- Ensure accurate payments and maintain confidential payroll records
- Prepare payroll reports, post payroll journals and ensure compliance with HMRC and National Minimum Wage
- requirements
- Keep payroll procedures up to date for legislative changes
- Respond to and resolve payroll queries effectively
Purchase Ledger:
- Process purchase invoices in line with authorisation procedures, ensuring accurate allocation of costs.
- Process supplier payments
- Reconcile Supplier Ledger accounts
- Produce and monitor the aged creditors report
- Reconcile and process company credit card transactions
- Process Staff Expense claims in line with the expenses policy
Other Duties:
- Reconcile Charity Store income, identifying and resolving any queries and posting journal entries
- Undertake any other duties appropriate to the scope and general nature of the role
- Support improvements to finance processes and systems to enhance efficiency and financial controls
Additional Responsibilities:
- Comply with the Charities’ Health and Safety policy in all employment practices.
- Maintain the integrity of the Daisy Chain brand in all internal and external communications.
- Work in ways, which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility.
- Maintain a proactive approach to your role and responsibilities along with a commitment to contribute and maintain the positive working ethos within the Charity
- Ensure attendance at staff meetings.
- Undertake any training and development deemed necessary for the pursuance of the post.
- Work in a way that contributes to the continuous improvement of the Charity’s services and embraces the organisations quality initiatives.
- Any other duties from time to time, commensurate with the level of the post.
This job outline is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but, while some variation can be expected in particular duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the post.
This post is deemed to require an Enhanced Disclosure Check with the Criminal Records Bureau due to the fact that there is access to children and vulnerable adults. Further information on the Disclosure Services is available at www.disclosure.gov.uk.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience:
- Extensive experience across all aspects of payroll processing (E)
- Experience of all aspects of purchase ledger (E)
- Experience of preparing and posting journal entries (E)
- Experience of using finance systems (E), particularly Sage 50 and Sage Payroll (D)
- Experience of working in the charitable sector (D)
Qualifications:
- Related Professional Qualification (AAT, CIPP, ACCA, Other) (D)
Knowledge/Skills:
- Good understanding of all aspects of a finance department (D)
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (E)
- Strong organisational and communication skills (written and verbal) (E)
- Good attention to detail and accuracy (E)
- Experience of process improvements (D)
Other:
- Understanding of and commitment to the aims, ethos and philosophy of Daisy Chain – E
- Full driving license with own transport & ability to travel across the North East of England -E
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service – E
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Company Pension Scheme
- Flexible Working Pattern / Arrangements
- Flexi-Time Scheme (if eligible)
- Enhanced Holiday Entitlement (33 days including Bank Holidays, pro-rata)
- Enhanced Sick Pay
- Day off on your Birthday (or closest working day)
- Fertility Treatment Leave
- 10% Discount at our Daisy Chain charity stores (and free delivery!)
- £35 towards yearly eye test
Disability Confident Scheme:
As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you declare a disability during the application stage and meet the essential criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Even if you don’t meet all the essential criteria listed, we would still encourage you to apply. We value potential, diverse experiences and transferable skills.