Finance Officer

**MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS**:Accounting, Bookkeeping, Grant Compliance, Biblical Stewardship, Training

**SUMMARY**:
As the Finance Officer, you will bring together Christian faith and financial expertise to support our ministry’s aims and objectives locally and internationally. You will administer the finances of Children of the Nations UK & Ireland and, as part of a dynamic International Grant Compliance team, you will support our international partners to achieve excellence in financial management, stewardship and reporting, in accordance with the Christian principles and ethos with which the charity operates. This will involve comprehensive reviews of monthly finance reporting, flagging areas of concern and assisting with subsequent communication. You will also identify training needs and provide consultation support and spiritual encouragement to finance staff supporting the direct care of children in Sierra Leone, Malawi, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

**YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR**
- Praying with and for each COTNI implementing partner with which the post-holder is working.
- Supporting the Annual Operational Plan Budget process, ensuring accuracy and compliance with standards, creating an annual consolidated budget and corresponding Grant Disbursement letters.
- Providing oversight to monthly granting process, ensuring funds are granted in line with commitments made to partners and monthly transfers are documented and authorized appropriately.
- Analysing implementing partner monthly reporting to ensure completion, identifying inaccuracies and budget variance and supporting International Liaison and Grant Compliance Officers to resolve any issues arising.
- Managing completion of COTNI finance standards assessment every two years with each partner and monitoring corrective action progress.
- Reviewing reports of external auditors for each partner annually and identifying areas of concern.
- Identifying areas of training needed by implementing partner finance staff and facilitating the completion of this training according to an agreed schedule.
- Mentoring implementing partners in biblical principles of accounting, service, stewardship and prayer.
- Providing consultation support for implementing partner finance staff, including supporting a full transition to Quickbooks Online.
- Ensuring consistent updating and adherence to the Common Chart of Accounts.
- Making recommendations regarding potential efficiency savings and overall process improvement.
- Reviewing exchange rates and economic trends in each implementing country.
- Administering the finances of COTN UK & Ireland, processing donations, gift aid, payments, international transfers, managing payroll and preparing budgets and reports.
- Representing Children of the Nations - in particular its Christian mission - to partners and at events, fundraisers and conferences, when required.
- Advocating for the work of COTN UK & Ireland among church contacts and others who are likely to be supportive of the aims of the charity.

**YOU MUST HAVE**
- Completed or partially completed CAI/ACCA/ACA (or equivalent).
- Experience of international Christian ministry (in a paid or voluntary capacity)
- Minimum of 3 years' experience within an Accounting Role.
- Detailed knowledge of QuickBooks
- Excellent numerical skills with the ability to analyse data, statistics and review budgets and expenditure
- Ability to lead prayer meetings and pray for others one on one
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work cross-culturally with sensitivity
- Ability to run face to face and remote training and to mentor international teams
- Proven organisational skills and the ability to work on own initiative and to deadlines
- Personal faith in Jesus and a passion for reaching the world with the Gospel
- Strong commitment to uphold the vision and mission statements of the employer
- Strong commitment to prayer
- Personal integrity and trustworthiness
- Willing to work flexibly, including evening working

**IT’S AN ADDED PLUS IF YOU HAVE**
- Full driving licence (and access to a car)
- Experience working for a charity or Christian mission agency in a similar finance role
- Experience of public speaking in a church context
- Payroll experience
- Knowledge of financial legislation relating to charities
- Proficiency in French and/or Spanish
- Willingness to travel internationally if necessary

**BENEFITS, PERKS, & OUR TEAM**

We have the joy of working hard to change children’s lives every day and are passionate about taking care of our teams

Children of the Nations offers flexibility in where/when you work and we are dedicated to helping staff grow professionally and thrive in their roles. We take time for prayer and connection with one another, read books together, and enjoy having fun too

This is a work from home position, with weekly meetings in Belfast**.**

We pursue excellence in all we do and strive to be:

- **RESPECTFUL