Finance Officer

Job term: The position is at 0.8 FTE, with a full-time option available for an exceptional candidate. Appointment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Hours of work: 30 hours (0.8FTE) over a minimum of four days between Monday and Friday. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu can be taken. No overtime will be paid.

Introduction:

Norfolk Rivers Trust’s ambition is to deliver catchment-scale change to our water environments. We are dedicated to protecting our watercourses from pollution, improving habitat and ecological functioning of chalk streams and rivers whilst enhancing resilience to climate change.

Since its founding in 2011, the charity has grown to a team of over 30 passionate and enthusiastic employees. Together, we are delivering major projects such as river re-meandering and floodplain connections, farming and land management advice, new constructed wetlands, native species work and community engagement.

We’re now looking for a Finance Officer to help support our finance department and wider team with the daily finance needs of a small but ambitious environmental charity. Joining our diverse and passionate team means you’ll have the chance to make a real impact, not only on our people, but also on the environment we work so hard to protect.

Job description:

We are looking for a motivated Finance Officer to join our team and support the day-to-day accounting functions across Norfolk Rivers Trust and its trading arm Rivers Ecology Limited. In this role, you will work closely with the Head of Finance, helping to maintain accurate financial records, provide timely reporting, and support project teams with budget monitoring. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone keen to learn, develop, and implement new systems and technology to improve efficiency, while playing a key role in helping the Trust achieve its mission to protect and enhance our water environments.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Financial Processes

• Ensure all financial activities are correctly entered into the company’s accounting system, including both purchase and sales ledgers, and the general ledgers for Norfolk Rivers Trust and its trading arm, Rivers Ecology Limited.
• Oversee supplier payments and prepare regular payment runs, managing new supplier details and bank amendments securely.
• Manage the sales invoicing process to ensure income is invoiced, recorded, and followed up promptly.
• Oversee monthly entry of staff timesheets and expenses into the accounting system.
• Complete and maintain timely bank reconciliations.
• Assist with preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns.
• Manage intercompany transactions, ensuring accurate and consistent recording across the Group.
• Support the Head of Finance with the annual audit process through preparation of required schedules and documentation.
• Assist with monthly payroll tasks as required.

2. Financial Reporting

• Assist in the preparation of monthly financial reporting to ensure timely and accurate submission of management accounts with variance analysis and supporting schedules for internal review.
• Provide regular financial data and insights to the Senior Leadership Team as may be required.
• Provide financial reporting support for clients and funders, ensuring grant-related reports are accurate, compliant, and submitted on time and in accordance with grant conditions.

3. Compliance, Controls and Data Management

• Ensure all financial processing complies with internal policies, financial regulations, and relevant legislation.
• Maintain accurate, secure, and up-to-date financial records, ensuring appropriate document retention and audit trails.
• Ensure GDPR compliance when handling financial data.

4. Budgeting and Forecasting

• Support the Head of Finance in preparing annual budgets and forecasting tasks.
• Collaborate with Project Leads to track and report project finances, ensuring a clear understanding of income and expenditure to support budget management, facilitate decision-making, and handle project claims and variance requests effectively.
• Assist in preparing and managing cash flows as needed, ensuring effective monitoring and timely provision.

5. Systems

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of financial systems, controls, and procedures.
• Support the implementation and adoption of new accounting software and related financial systems, including assisting with data migration and process training where required.

6. Stakeholder and Funder Engagement

• Engage with external clients, grant funders, and partners on financial matters including income, expenditure, and reporting, ensuring clear and effective communication.
• Address finance related queries from both internal and external stakeholders promptly and professionally.
• Collaborate with external consultants, such as accountants and other service providers, to support financial processes as needed.
• Share and exchange best practices and innovative ideas within the Rivers Trust network to foster continuous improvement.

7. Communication and Development‍

• Ensure consistent and proactive communication with the Head of Finance, providing regular updates and ensuring alignment on financial matters.
• Support the Head of Finance in delivering internal financial training to teams, including training on budgeting and financial management.
• Provide updates and engage in team meetings as required.
• Contribute to a collaborative and positive working environment within the Finance Team.
• Ensure clear communication, collaboration, and consistency across teams, promoting shared learning and continual improvement in financial processes.

8. Other Responsibilities

• Undertake additional tasks or projects as reasonably requested by the Head of Finance or Senior Management Team.