Finance Assistant

**Have you got accountancy or book-keeping experience? Have you gained experience in a business or charity? Are you looking to change your work life balance and move to part time hours or are you getting back into the work market but do not need full time? Can you work as part of small team but be able to manage your own work?**

**Want to do all this for a charity, where every penny we make is used to take homeless people off the streets providing accommodation, support and training within our Emmaus homes? Want every day to be different and want to enjoy coming to work every day? - DO YOU WANT A CHALLENGE? DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?**

**If this is you - **_**WE WANT YOU**_

**Hours - 10 - 16 hours per week we can be flexible and agree what suits you at interview including when you want to work your hours as we are open Monday to Friday 0830 to 1730. You will be working from our office in Preston NO REMOTE WORKING SORRY**

**Background**

Emmaus Lancashire is part of an International Charity (EMMAUS) providing accommodation, support, training and work experience to formerly homeless people (**we call them Companions**). We aim to be self-funding and run social enterprises to pay for our Emmaus in Preston with no grant or government funding. There are 29 communities across the UK (providing 1,000 beds for formerly homeless people) and over 300 communities across the world and each work as part of a federation with local control. Emmaus is not a HOSTEL but provides a home, work experience, support and training for as long as someone needs it.

Emmaus Lancashire is the merger between Emmaus Preston and Emmaus Burnley and we have been working closely together for the past six years and can offer 50 beds across Lancashire in our two houses for people who are homeless. We run charity stores in Preston and Rochdale selling a mix of donated and brand new furniture and white goods. These stores are staffed **entirely** by our **Companions.**.

**Overall Purpose of the Job**

Working with our Head of Finance to provide book-keeping and accountancy support to the Community.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**

**Cash**
- Oversee the Petty Cash system and ensure it is reconciled monthly

**Companion allowances**
- Responsible for the payment of companion allowances on a weekly basis into their banks
- Record Companion Savings and allowances weekly

**Sales**
- Enter shop takings weekly into excel and check accuracy

Check that shop takings are reconciled to till reports and report any discrepancies to our Head of Finance

**Purchases**
- Check supplier invoices & ensure these are processed accurately in the financial system for authorisation by the Head of Finance
- Deal with all supplier queries.

**Housing Benefit (HB)**
- Ensure and manage a weekly rent accounting system so that rent charges & rent payments for each companion are recorded.
- Liaise with the Housing Benefit department regarding prompt payment of initial claims and deal with all HB queries as they arise, especially where payments are interrupted.
- Ensure that HB departments are advised when a companion leaves so that over-payments are avoided.

**Book-keeping**
- Ensure that all financial transactions are posted into the financial system promptly.

**Renters and Utilities**
- Update payments monthly - send out energy bills as they arrive. Any issues with delays in payments monthly for utilities or rent please create a letter with listed amounts, copy bills and inform Head of Finance.

**General Administration**
- Deal with telephone and other financial enquiries
- Ensure that administrative & filing systems are maintained to a high standard.
- Produce correspondence and reports as agreed with the Head of Finance

**Other Duties**
- Perform any other tasks or duties deemed necessary by Head of Finance

**General**

Emmaus works with vulnerable people. Staff and volunteers must observe the proper demarcation and professional boundaries while performing their role.

The post holder must always act in a way which will maintain the good reputation of Emmaus Preston, upholding the policies and procedures of Emmaus. The post holder will strive to preserve good working relationships with Staff, Volunteers, Companions and the Trustees, keeping the appropriate key personnel well informed of significant matters relating to the Community.

**Job Type**: Part-time

Pay: £12.50 per hour

Expected hours: 10 - 16 per week

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Employee discount
- Flexitime
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
- Store discount

Schedule:

- No weekends

**Experience**:

- Using Excel: 1 year (preferred)
- Using Sage Accounts: 1 year (preferred)
- Bookkeeping: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 21/10/2024