About Achisomoch

Achisomoch Aid Company Limited (AAC) is a London based charity established more than 40 years ago, that provides highly efficient services and innovative solutions to clients and charities. We currently receive over £70m per year of donations from over 4,000 clients and donate grants to some 3,000 charities around the world.

We are seeking to recruit a Head of Finance to primarily ensure that our finance function continues to offer the best service for our clients. The role will also support our Operations Team.

The successful candidate will have previous experience (min 3 years) in a similar role, be numerate and IT literate, have a high level of oral and written communication skills. Customer related experience is also desirable. You will be a key part of our small team.

Further details

The aim of AAC is to facilitate the giving of charity more efficiently and easily by creating a bridge between our clients and worldwide charities. Clients use their account to donate directly to charities, with all the features of a bank account – cheque books, cards, regular statements, on-line access, online charity donations, interactive queries on their account, low balance messages by SMS or email, and a help line that’s second-to-none.

Vacancy description:

The role is a key function in AAC ensuring our continued strong governance of the organisation. The successful candidate will have experience in everyday financial management as well as working with external auditors for large company. The role will also support our very efficient operations and compliance teams in their day-to-day work and work closely with our current Finance Manager.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Finance
• Working alongside the Finance Manager to execute payments, invoicing and banking activities as well as maintaining up to date computerised records
• Maintain financial systems that record and report on financial activities and provide information and projections to allow strategic and operational decision making. This includes management accounts, budgets and forecasts and reports on activity.
• Support the preparation of the annual budget (and subsequent monthly & quarterly forecasts) in conjunction with the CEO and ensure the ongoing adherence and management of these budgets/forecasts.
• Manage the relationship with AAC’s external auditors and manage the year end process, external audit, preparation of annual financial statements and signoff from relevant stakeholders.
• Preparing and monitoring financial statement disclosures requirements of a large charity
• Manage the relationship with AAC’s investment manager and ensure the investment policy/strategy is being implemented.
• Alongside the Finance Manager, manage the outsourced payroll service and pension scheme ensuring employees are paid in accordance with contracted agreements

Operations
• Provide reports as required for other purposes including for Board meetings, and other ad hoc purposes
• With the Finance Manager, manage reconciliation of client accounts
• Understanding client needs and responding accordingly
• Work alongside the operations team for finance related operations questions
• Support the operations and compliance teams with client and charity onboarding as well as grant making

Qualifications/ experience required: ​

• Qualified accountant with minimum 3 years’ experience (preferable)
• Extensive knowledge of accounting principles and systems with relevant accounting qualification
• Knowledge of statutory, governance and legal requirements, ideally relating to a charitable organisation
• Experience of preparing and administering financial statement disclosures requirements of a large charity
• Proven ability to work on own initiative, prioritise competing demands and work to deadlines
• Experience of managing across a range of functions/disciplines
• Evidence of ability to use financial programmes/software
• An understanding of the importance of and evidence of the ability to communicate financial and other complex information in a way that is easy to understand to non-financial users
• Experience working with external auditors
• Strong organisational skills and an ability to prioritise multiple tasks
• Strong communication skills and an ability to interact effectively at all levels within the organisation
• Numerate, with strong attention to detail and ability to follow processes and procedures
• IT literate
• Ability to build and maintain good relationships with all colleagues

Profile of the ideal candidate:

• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to multi-task;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to maintain a professional and patient demeanour at all times;
• An ability to take the initiative with the determination to see tasks through until completion;
• Understanding of the UK Jewish charity sector & Jewish community.

If you are interested in applying for the role, please send your cover letter & CV by email to recruitment@achisomoch.org.

Closing date for applications is Friday 31st May 2024