Finance Officer

**About NOW Group**:
NOW Group is a social enterprise committed to supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into sustainable employment and meaningful lives. We deliver a range of services including training, employment support, and social enterprise initiatives.

NOW Group has recently secured a contract to deliver the Skills For Life & Work Programme across sites in Belfast, L/Derry and Enniskillen. The programme supports individuals with disabilities and additional needs to gain qualifications, develop essential life skills and prepare for employment.

**The Role**:
The Finance Officer will support the day-to-day financial activities of Skills for Life and Work, ensuring accurate record-keeping, timely processing of claims, participant expenses and compliance with financial procedures. You’ll work closely with the Finance Manager and wider team to maintain financial systems, support reporting, and contribute to the overall efficiency of the organization.

**Key Responsibilities**:
1. Process weekly participant training allowances, completion bonuses, travel and childcare expenses.

2. Process programme related purchase invoices, staff expenses, and supplier payments.

3. Maintain accurate financial records using accounting software (e.g., Sage, QuickBooks, or similar.)

4. Assist with bank reconciliations and petty cash management.

5. Process and set up online bank payments in line with agreed payment calendar.

6. Prepare financial reports and assist with month-end and year-end procedures.

7. Respond to finance-related queries from staff, suppliers, and stakeholders.

8. Ensure compliance with funder controls and financial policies.

9. Ensure all finance records are filed and stored in line with the organisation’s policy.

10. Support Head of Finance with external audits for both funders and auditors.

11. Adhoc admin support across the organisation as necessary.

**What We Offer**:
At NOW Group, we value and invest in our team. As part of our organisation, you’ll benefit from:

- ** Generous Leave**: 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata).
- ** Health Cash Plan**: Available after successful probation.
- ** Wellbeing Support**: Confidential staff counselling and financial advisory services.
- ** Pension Scheme**: 5% employer contribution.
- ** Flexible Work Initiatives**: Including the Bike-to-Work scheme, holiday purchase options, and more.

**About The Role**

**Additional Information**:

- NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. Policies on safeguarding, recruitment of ex-offenders, and data protection are available upon request.

**Required Criteria**
- 1. Experience providing administrative support within a finance function.
- 2. IT proficient and competent in the use of Microsoft Office suite.
- 3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- 4. Excellent interpersonal skills and team orientated.
- 5. High attention to detail, highly organised with the ability to work to deadlines.
- 6. Ability to work with a high level of discretion and confidentiality.

**Desired Criteria**
- 1. Full driving license and access to a car (if the effects of a disability prelude an individual from holding a driving licence they should indicate how they can meet the mobility requirements of the post, i.e. ability to get to different sites)
- 2. Experience working with Sage 50 Accounts.
- 3. Experience working with Customer Relationship Management System (CRM)
- 4. Understanding of funding compliance and reporting

**Skills Needed**

**About The Company**

At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.

One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card**_®_** - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.

The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.

**Company Culture**

At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment.

We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its