Finance Officer

Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary: £28,000 - £32,000 (FT)

Hybrid work model

Meaningful work

Professional growth

Job summary

Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a Finance Officer to manage day-to-day financial operations and ensure accuracy and compliance.

You will work with Xero, handle VAT returns, supplier invoices, staff expenses and donations, and support month-end processes and audits. AAT Level 3 or AATQB is required, with a flexible hybrid working arrangement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in bookkeeping, finance officer, or finance assistant roles.
• Strong double-entry bookkeeping and VAT knowledge.
• Experience with Xero and HMRC compliance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate financial records using Xero and ensure robust audit trails.
• Process supplier invoices, staff expenses, and donations; manage payments.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns in a timely and compliant manner.
• Support month-end and year-end close, budgets, forecasts and audits.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and strengthen internal controls.

Skills

Bookkeeping

Workload management

Excel

Education

AAT Level 3 or AATQB

Tools

Xero

Job description

About Us

We are a dedicated cancer patient transport charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne, providing vital support and services to those affected by cancer.

Currently operating with an annual income of approximately £1m, we have ambitious and exciting plans to grow our reach and impact over the coming years. To support this, we are looking for a highly competent and proactive Finance Officer to take ownership of our day-to-day financial operations.

Role Overview

As our Finance Officer, you will play a central role in ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and smooth running of our charity's finances. You will be trusted to manage our financial records and process transactions autonomously. This is a fantastic opportunity for an AAT Level 3 or AAT qualified professional to join a meaningful cause and have a real impact.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records using Xero accounting software, acting as the primary lead for day-to-day finance operations.

• Charity Accounting: Correct coding and reconciliation ofrestricted, unrestricted and designated funds

Accounts Payable & Receivable: Process supplier invoices and staff expenses, and ensure timely payment runs. Accurately record incoming donations, grants, and other income streams.

Reconciliations: Perform regular, accurate balance sheet reconciliations.

VAT Returns: Prepare and submit accurate VAT returns in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations.

Month-End & Year-End Support: Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts and act as a key point of contact during the year-end audit/independent examination process.

Process Improvement: Proactively identify opportunities to streamline our financial processes and strengthen controls to support the charity's planned growth.

Culture: Operate in accordance with the charity's financial procedures and delegated authorities, maintain robust audit trails.

Payroll : Support or manage the monthly payroll process for our team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Must hold an AAT Level 3 qualification or be an AAT Qualified Bookkeeper (AATQB).

Candidates offering an alternative qualification or equivalent experience should demonstrate practical competence in double-entry bookkeeping, balance-sheet reconciliations, VAT, accounting software and month-end processes.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in a bookkeeping, finance officer, or finance assistant role.
• Working knowledge of and familiarity with Xero accounting software.
• Experience in preparing and submitting VAT returns.
• Ability to manage your own workload, problem-solve, and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience processing and managing payroll.
• Supporting preparation of information under the applicable Charities SORP
• Familiarity with charity finance, restricted/unrestricted funds, or the non-profit sector.

What We Offer

• Salary: A competitive salary in the band of £28,000 - £32,000 (Full-Time Equivalent), which will be pro-rated.
• True Flexibility: We support a genuine 50/50 hybrid split between working remotely and from our Newcastle office. We are also completely open to structuring your hours across 3,4 or 5 days to best suit your life.
• Meaningful Work: The chance to use your financial expertise to directly support cancer patients and their families.
• Professional Growth: An opportunity to develop and shape your role as the charity expands its income and services.

Diversity, Inclusion & Flexible Working

Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care is committed to building an inclusive and diverse team that reflects the community we serve. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, irrespective of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or belief.

We recognise that our staff have varied needs and lives outside of work. As a flexible employer, we are highly open to discussing specific flexible working requirements, alternative working patterns, and any reasonable adjustments you may need to thrive in this role.