Overview

Our aim is for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

The Finance department is a shared services function working across the NCIs to provide a comprehensive, cost-effective finance service to each organisation, and helping to co-ordinate joint projects where appropriate. The Finance department is on a change journey, transforming the way we work and the service we provide to the NCIs.

Post Introduction

This is a new role, created to bring together responsibility for processing and maintaining accurate records for income and expenditure, under the direction of the Financial Processing Manager.

As Financial Processing Officer, you will be responsible for all elements of accounts receivable and payable processing for all the NCIs and subsidiary companies, from raising purchase and sales invoices, to ensuring timely payment and receipt of balances by following established procedures and in accordance with agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

To arrange an informal conversation about the post, please contact sushil.vekaria@churchofengland.org

The Church of England is for everyone, and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic Backgrounds and people with disabilities.

We offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

Role Responsibility

The Role

Purchase and sales processing

Responsible for ensuring accurate and timely processing of transactions in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and targets, including:

• Processing purchase invoices, expense claims, credit card transactions and other payment documents using correct coding and VAT analysis
• Processing sales invoice requests and other types of income receipts (e.g. credit card transactions) using correct coding and VAT analysis
• Managing weekly and unscheduled payment runs, ensuring processes and controls around purchasing and payments are followed
• Managing the clearing process, ensuring payments and receipts are matched and allocated to supplier and customer accounts on a timely basis
• Undertaking credit control activities to ensure outstanding debt is recovered, and queries or disputes are followed up and resolved promptly

Customer helpdesk

Be proactive and innovative in resolving issues affecting ‘customers’ (whether customers, suppliers, internal NCI departments or others), including:

• Ensuring all enquiries are answered promptly in line with agreed SLAs and demonstrating the highest level of customer service
• Providing information and support to finance and non-finance colleagues to aid processing efficiency, promote use of finance systems and ensure compliance with financial procedures
• Liaising with other members of the Finance team to provide ad hoc support as appropriate

Internal controls and compliance

Compliance and engagement with internal controls and procedures, including month-end and year-end processes and deadlines:

• Working to month-end and year-end processing deadlines and support the Finance team in production of accurate financial information on a regular and timely basis
• Monitoring and managing debtor and creditor control accounts, ensuring receipts and payments are timely, and transactions are recorded accurately
• Reviewing and reconciling purchase and sales ledger control and clearing accounts regularly, ensuring transactions are cleared accurately and anomalies are investigated and resolved quickly
• Creating and maintaining records for customers and vendors in the finance system, managing and maintaining the integrity and accuracy of master data
• Undertaking ad hoc checking of expense claims for any out-of-policy amounts or missing receipts and follow up as appropriate

Process and system improvements

Suggest developments and improvements AP/AR processes and use of key business systems to increase efficiency and ensure a best practice approach, including:

• Working to maximise efficiency and minimise administrative duplication wherever possible, and keep all records clear and up to date within an appropriate control framework
• Drafting, updating and maintaining comprehensive guidance manuals for all key processes, and provide support and training to other members of the Processing Team where required

Other

• Providing accurate information for the annual statutory audits and internal audits, in line timetables set
• Providing cover for, and complementing the work of, other members of the Processing team and other Finance teams

The Ideal Candidate

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitude:

• Good working knowledge of basic accounting principles, competent numeracy skills and basic understanding of VAT
• Excellent IT skills, particularly accountancy software and Microsoft Office, and accurate and quick keyboard skills
• Good attention to detail with the ability to spot and resolve errors or anomalies
• Good time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work well and effectively under pressure, well organised and able to prioritise work to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work as an effective and flexible team member; with the ability to work unsupervised
• Good communication skills both written and verbal, and confidence interacting with a wide range of people at all levels
• Personable, friendly, self-motivated and enthusiastic
• Ability to work in excess of agreed hours at certain times e.g., year-end, and willingness to accept adhoc work requests

Knowledge/Experience:

• Financial administration or bookkeeping experience
• Experience of working in a team to meet shared goals / deadlines
• Experience of a customer-facing role and resolving customer queries, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction

Desirable

• Studying toward gaining a recognised accountancy qualification e.g. AAT
• SAP experience
• Experience of working in the finance function of a large organisation, including for example in Accounts Payable or Accounts Receivable teams
• Experience of working for a charity

About Us

In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.-.  

Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions at Careers | The Church of England

Our emerging values

• We strive for excellence 
• We collaborate 
• We act with integrity 
• We show compassion 
• We respect others 

We welcome everyone and we accept and value people for who they are and what they contribute, treating others in the way we would wish to be treated ourselves. We actively listen to and include others, encouraging and enabling everyone’s voice to be heard in discussions and decisions. When we disagree, we aim to disagree well with respect and kindness.  

We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you. If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org.

• As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.  
• We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.