Job summary
Based at our Fair Havens offices, located near to beautiful Priory Park in Southend, we are seeking a reliable and detail-oriented Assistant Accountant to join our Finance Team, supporting in the delivery of efficient, accurate, and compliant financial operation.
The ideal candidate will bring strong financial expertise and a collaborative, proactive mindset suited to a compassionate, mission-led organisation.
This is initially a fixed term position for a period of 12 months. However, there may be opportunities for this to be extended in the future.
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Head of Finance, this role encompasses day-to-day accounting, systems support, and engagement with various departments and projects across the service.
About us
At Havens Hospices, we care for children, young people and adults with complex or incurable conditions. Our specialist Care Teams can support them and their family living throughout illness, death and bereavement in the comfort of their own home and through our hospice services, Fair Havens and Little Havens.
Working at Havens Hospices allows you to give the gift of time to patients and families, creating memories. Although you may not be giving direct care to our patients, your contribution will have an immediate effect on our care services.
In return for your expertise and passion, you will receive a competitive salary package, and most of all, by making the most of every day you work at Havens Hospices you'll be helping us continue 'Making every day count' for those who need us most.
At Havens Hospices we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our employees and patients and expect all colleagues to share this commitment.
We value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Maintain accurate financial records, including processing income, expenditure, and reconciliations
- Prepare and post monthly accruals and prepayments and other accounting entries
- Support processing purchase invoices, staff expenses, payments, and monthly salary journals
- Support with the annual budget setting process and monthly management accounts review
- Maintain and reconcile the fixed asset register, ensuring the balance sheet reflects correct values for additions, disposals, and depreciation
- Track capital expenditure requests and monitor spending against agreed budgets and approvals
- Input weekly cashflow movements
- Reconcile and review bank accounts
- Reconcile our fundraising income system transactions to the finance system
- Support with the monthly payroll checking
- Support with completing various sector returns and benchmarking
Please see attached job description for full roles and responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Maintain accurate financial records, including processing income, expenditure, and reconciliations
- Prepare and post monthly accruals and prepayments and other accounting entries
- Support processing purchase invoices, staff expenses, payments, and monthly salary journals
- Support with the annual budget setting process and monthly management accounts review
- Maintain and reconcile the fixed asset register, ensuring the balance sheet reflects correct values for additions, disposals, and depreciation
- Track capital expenditure requests and monitor spending against agreed budgets and approvals
- Input weekly cashflow movements
- Reconcile and review bank accounts
- Reconcile our fundraising income system transactions to the finance system
- Support with the monthly payroll checking
- Support with completing various sector returns and benchmarking
Please see attached job description for full roles and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- AAT qualified, or part-qualified accountant (e.g. ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)
- GCSE or equivalent pass grades in Mathematics and English.
Desirable
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Experience in finance or accounting role with a strong understanding of book-keeping and reconciliations.
- Proficiency in SAGE or similar finance packages
- Ability to use Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), databases, other relevant software and systems, and the internet to an intermediate level
- Meticulous in terms of attention to detail, able to deliver with speed whilst working within tight timescales and under pressure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Familiarity with donor platforms and CRM systems such as Raiser's Edge
- Understanding of fund accounting and charity SORP
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- AAT qualified, or part-qualified accountant (e.g. ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)
- GCSE or equivalent pass grades in Mathematics and English.
Desirable
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Experience in finance or accounting role with a strong understanding of book-keeping and reconciliations.
- Proficiency in SAGE or similar finance packages
- Ability to use Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), databases, other relevant software and systems, and the internet to an intermediate level
- Meticulous in terms of attention to detail, able to deliver with speed whilst working within tight timescales and under pressure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Familiarity with donor platforms and CRM systems such as Raiser's Edge
- Understanding of fund accounting and charity SORP
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
