Finance Assistant at Latch, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Finance Assistant

Salary: £29,000 to £31,000 per annum (pro rata for part-time hours)
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire (hybrid working available)
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (30 hours considered for the right candidate)
Contract: 12-month fixed term contract

Immediate availability beneficial

Working Hours and Hybrid Working

The role is 37.5 hours per week, although 30 hours per week may be considered for the right candidate.

Hybrid working is available, with an initial requirement to work from the office on Mondays and Tuesdays to support the handover with the current Finance Assistant.

From January, Tuesdays will be a required office day, with some flexibility around the remaining working days. Ideally, candidates will be able to attend the office for a minimum of two days per week.

About Latch

Latch is a Leeds-based charity providing housing and support to people who are homeless or in housing need. We are looking for an experienced and organised Finance Assistant to join our team and support the effective management of our day-to-day financial operations.

This is an opportunity to take responsibility for a varied range of finance duties, working closely with the Finance Director, CEO, colleagues and external partners.

Main Purpose of the Role

To manage day-to-day financial matters throughout Latch, providing support to the Finance Director, CEO, other staff and external partners as required.

You will ensure that agreed financial policies and procedures are followed at all times, enabling effective financial control over income, assets and liabilities.

Main Responsibilities

Operational

• Process daily bank transactions via automatic bank feeds into QuickBooks.
• Complete monthly bank reconciliations.
• Process supplier invoices and prepare weekly payment runs.
• Process and pay staff expense claims.
• Process donations and update donations analysis.
• Take responsibility for Rent Cards, including creating new accounts and processing four-weekly Housing Benefit payments from Leeds City Council.
• Liaise with relevant staff regarding rent and service charge income and the monitoring of tenant debtors.
• Maintain recurring invoice templates in QuickBooks for all tenants and allocate payments received.
• Manage the Latch Expend account (reloadable debit card).
• Process month-end journals in QuickBooks, including prepayments, accruals, deferred income and payroll.
• Update the Finance Void Property Tracker and process the monthly journal.
• Produce and issue the monthly Management Accounts pack and departmental Cost Control Reports.
• Support the Finance Director with all aspects of the annual audit.
• Undertake other ad hoc duties as required.

Accounting Systems and Processing

• Oversee financial processing and bookkeeping relating to income, expenditure and banking, ensuring accurate accounting systems and financial records are maintained.
• Maintain Latch's financial software systems, including adding or amending accounts and funding streams as necessary.
• Ensure adequate systems of internal control are maintained, regularly reviewed and benchmarked against best practice guidance.

Organisational Responsibilities

• Comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act, reporting accidents, incidents and near misses in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Consider environmental issues throughout service delivery and take appropriate measures to minimise environmental impact.
• Act in accordance with Latch's Equality and Diversity Policy.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Relevant finance experience in a similar role.
• Knowledge and experience of maintaining robust financial accounting and software systems.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload to meet agreed deadlines.
• Comfortable working independently and using your own initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience of working across teams.
• Strong IT skills, including advanced Microsoft Office skills and significant experience using Excel.
• A commitment to equal opportunities, diversity and ensuring fair and inclusive working practices.

Education and Training

• AAT qualification or equivalent experience.

Desirable Experience

• Experience using QuickBooks Online.
• Experience using Dext Prepare.
• Experience managing rental income and/or Housing Benefits.
• Knowledge of property management.
• Knowledge of homelessness and housing-related support.
• Knowledge of charitable and public funding structures.

How to Apply

If you have relevant finance experience, excellent attention to detail and are confident managing a varied workload, we will welcome your application.

Please apply with your up-to-date CV.

INDLS

Equals One is an advertising and recruitment agency working on behalf of our client to promote this vacancy. You may be contacted directly by the employer should they wish to progress your application. Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide specific feedback if your application is unsuccessful.