VOLUNTEER READING HELP

							                             Finance Assistant/Bookkeeper
                               Temporary, immediate start

Job Title:             Finance Assistant/Bookkeeper
Team:                  Finance & Resources
Location:              Shoreditch, London E2
Hours:                 35 hours per week, temporary
Reports to:            Head of Finance & Resources


About Volunteer Reading Help
Volunteer Reading Help is a dynamic and expanding national children’s charity with a growing
profile thanks to the London Evening Standard’s ‘Get London Reading’ campaign. We help
disadvantaged primary school children who are struggling with their reading to become
confident and literate for life through one-to-one, sustained support from our network of trained
volunteers. In 2011/12 we supported almost 6,400 children across the country and we aim to
double this by 2017.

About the Finance & Resources team
Our Finance & Resources team of 5 ensures the smooth running of the charity in terms of
finance, HR, IT and support services to VRH’s 17 local branch office across England. We
use Sage Line 50 accounting system and on a temporary basis need additional help in
our finance function with the processing of Purchase and Sales ledger transactions and
claims for expenses from our staff and volunteers.

Main purpose and objectives of the job:

              To administer the Purchase Ledger, including checking and processing invoices from
               suppliers, and claims for expenses by staff and volunteers
              To make payments on a timely basis in line with available credit terms from suppliers
               and agreed service standards for expenses claims
              To ensure budget-holders follow agreed procedures for authorization and that
               transactions are properly coded
              To record income receipts on a timely basis
              To administer bank paying-in procedures
              To liaise with budget-holders as needed to correct any mispostings of transactions in
               a timely way
              To ensure accounting records and files are maintained effectively
              To assist with administrative work as required, including fulfilling stationery orders,
               purchasing, storage & archives
              To assist the Head of Finance & Resources with other financial and administrative
               work as required
              To contribute actively to team meetings and the wider remit of the Finance &
               Resources team

Person Specification

October 2012                            1
Experience and knowledge

       Essential

              Experience and proficiency in the use of Sage Line 50, including producing financial
               reports
              Experience in financial administration including processing transactions to Purchase
               and Sales Ledgers and dealing with payments to suppliers and expenses claims
              Experience and proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Excel, Word and
               Outlook
              Experience of using spreadsheets to analyse financial information and to produce
               reports
              A good understanding of the financial systems, controls and procedures required in
               a charity, preferably with some experience of reporting to different funders

       Desirable

              A relevant accounting or bookkeeping qualification (e.g. AAT)

Essential skills

              Excellent organisational skills with a methodical approach, accuracy and close
               attention to detail
              Good communications skills including an ability to deal effectively with non-financial
               managers
              A collaborative approach, including the ability to work effectively in teams
              Ability to work under pressure, to meet service standards and agreed deadlines
              Ability to work on own initiative when appropriate and to seek guidance when
               necessary

Essential personal qualities

              A commitment to equal opportunities and diversity
              An interest in children’s literacy and commitment to improving opportunities to raise
               literacy skills




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