We are looking for a Finance Officer / Accountant!

CYMDEITHAS ERYRI SNOWDONIA SOCIETY

Charity Commission registration number 1155401

We are looking for a Finance Officer / Accountant!
10 hours per week, on a self-employed basis

£17.71 per hour

Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society (CESS) is a registered charity delivering conservation and campaigning to protect the incredible landscapes of Eryri (Snowdonia) and enable their responsible enjoyment, now and for future generations. Through our programme Helping Hands and its many volunteers we deliver practical help to maintain footpaths, clear litter and control invasive species. We help to restore nature through our work in partnership on habitats and species from shoreline to mountain summit.

We also use our independent voice to respond to significant planning proposals and we contribute to national and local consultations concerning the future of our valuable environment and cultural and linguistic heritage. We have a team of 10 staff and annual turnover of around £250,000 derived from donations, legacies, membership subscriptions and contracts, alongside grants for which we are accountable to a range of external funding bodies.

The Board of Trustees is accountable for the work carried out by CESS and works closely with the team tasked with the day-to-day operations. CESS uses Liberty Accounts for generating income and expenditure reports by funds and activities, setting up and monitoring budgets and completing the end of year Final Account. It has been designed for use by charities and runs regular training modules to ensure ease of use, as well as periodic software updates and enhancements.

We require the service of a Finance Officer / Accountant for around 10 hours per week, with occasional additional work as required, with additional payment. There is significant flexibility in how the hours are worked. Primarily homebased with occasional meetings at the office and other locations in north Wales. This contract is line managed by the Director. The Finance Officer / Accountant is responsible for preparing regular reports for the Director, the Finance and Governance Committee and the Board of Trustees, and for co-ordinating the production of the charity’s Annual Accounts by the appointed independent examiners.

Main responsibilities

1. Support and work with the Director and Programme Manager to ensure that all accounting is clear, well managed and compliant with SORP guidelines so that budgets, forecasts and financial reports are completed for the Director, Finance and Governance Committee and Board of Trustees accurately and in a timely fashion.
2. Ensure that budget reports are reforecast quarterly in order to provide a clear, well informed picture of predicted future income and expenditure and potential variations and areas of potential risk to the end of year financial position.
3. Advise on affordability of costs and key performance indicators that enable CESS to assess the impact of financial resources and any efficiencies that need to be made.
4. Manage CESS’s bank accounts and produce a quarterly cashflow highlighting any actions needed by Director and Trustees, as necessary.
5. Provide a narrative on the different sources of funding drawing upon inputs from the Director, Programme Manager and other team members as relevant to ensure the accurate and up to date monitoring of fundraising from donations, legacies, membership subscriptions, investments and grants, advising on gaps, problems and opportunities.
6. Provide advice on flows into and out of CESS reserves generated by the depositing of income or the need to withdraw reserves to meet exceptional costs.
7. Ensure appropriate internal financial controls are in place and followed including for petty cash.
8. Process and ensure that salary payments made to staff comply with the decisions of the Trustees and with the requirements for deducting income tax, national insurance, pension contributions and any other deductions as required by law.
9. Pay invoices, pay reimbursements to staff, trustee and volunteer expenses and ensure these are subject to appropriate controls.
10. Produce the CESS Final Account on Liberty for the independent examiner.
11. Contribute a short, written, report to the Annual Report and present the accounts to members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
12. Ensure that financial examiners are appointed and provided with the necessary information for the annual independent examination of the CESS Final Account.
13. Ensure that problems identified during any independent examination or in year audit regarding the Society’s finances and financial systems are drawn to the attention of Trustees and resolved as soon as possible.
14. Ensure that where tax is being reclaimed that the correct procedures are followed and records are kept as required by HMRC.
15. Liaise with the Society’s bank, brokers and financial advisors on the management of its assets.

The above duties and responsibilities may vary without changing either the character or level of responsibilities.

Person specification

Interested? How to apply:
Applications should be submitted as a covering letter which clearly outlines how you meet the key requirements for this post. You may also attach a CV if you wish, but note that a CV on its own will not be considered.
• Application deadline: 3 March 2025
• Apply by email to director@snowdonia-society.org.uk including ‘Finance Officer’ in the subject line
• Shortlisted candidates will be notified on 6 March
• Interviews are expected to take place on 10 March