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CORNWALL AIR AMBULANCE TRUST
Charity Headquarters, Newquay
Part-time
Job Description

Job title:

Senior Finance Officer

Reporting to:

Head of Finance and Business Intelligence

Charity Headquarters, Newquay (hybrid working considered)

37.5 hours per week (part-time hours maybe considered)

Location:

Hours:

Job Purpose

The postholder is a key player in delivering and ensuring robust financial management and supporting
strategic  decision-making.    Delivering  day-to-day  financial  operations,  produce  accurate  monthly
accounts, and help shape budgets and forecasts, with a scope to influence process improvements
and digital transformation.

Line Management Responsibilities:

None

Key Responsibilities

1.  Assist in the preparation and maintenance of annual budgets.  To report monthly activities

against budget and carry out reforecasting as necessary.

2.  Advise on the allocation of resources including restricted and unrestricted financial activity.
3.  Produce timely and accurate monthly financial accounts, together with balance sheets,

cashflows, KPI’s and graphical analysis.

4.  Maintain day-to-day financial control, providing budget holders with relevant financial

information as required.

5.  Support the Chief Executive and the Head of Finance & Business Intelligence in completion of

annual reports including the returns to The Charity Commission.

6.  Supervise the day-to-day activities of the Finance Officer.
7.  Devise, implement and ensure that appropriate internal financial audit checks and controls are

in place and applied accordingly.

8.  Maintain and ensure that VAT returns (Partial exemption) are prepared and made to HMRC on

time.

9.  Management and overview of Cornwall Air Ambulance Trusts direct debit collection systems.
10.  Bank reconciliations and monitoring of all charity bank accounts.
11.  Maintain and regularly update the Fixed Asset Register on Sage 50.
12.  Oversee the charity shops EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) systems in conjunction with the Retail

Managers and the Finance Officer.  Monitoring bank discrepancies.
13.  Accurate coding of sales and purchase invoices for posting to Sage 50.
14.  Maintain sales and purchase ledger debtor/creditor positions.
15.  Maintain and enhance the Purchase Ordering system.

Senior Finance Officer – December 2025

16.  Downloading, posting and reconciling of multiple online Fundraising income streams.
17.  Check and process payroll, including reconciling PAYE and pensions.

Requirement of the Role:

Basic DBS check

Values

All staff must embody Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust’s (CAAT) values and conduct business in a
manner that reflects the values of our brand:

•  Kindness

Showing compassion, empathy, and consideration towards others, fostering a positive and
supporting environment.

•  Respect.

Recognising the worth and value of others, embracing diversity and treating everyone with
dignity

•

Integrity

Standing true to moral principles, being honest and acting with consistency and transparency.

•  Progressive

Embracing  innovation,  challenging  the  status  quo,  and  continuously  evolving  for  a  better
future.

•  Teamwork

Working towards a common goal, combining individual strengths for collective success

This job description should be regarded only as a guideline of the duties required and is not
definitive.  The nature of the post and the organisation is such that duties may be reviewed in the
light of changing circumstances following consultation with the job holder.

The job holder is required to act at all times in accordance with the Trust’s agreed policies and
procedures.

The post holder should sign below to confirm they understand the information provided in this job
description.

Signed:

Date:

Senior Finance Officer – December 2025

Person Specification

Senior Finance Officer
Based at Charity Headquarters, Newquay

Attributes

Requirements

Essential

Desirable

Financial qualification to
NVQ Level 3 AAT or
equivalent
qualification/experience

Qualifications,
training &
professional
membership

Membership of
professional bodies and
a proven track record in
CPD
Financial qualification to
NVQ Level 4 AAT or
equivalent
qualification/experience

Method of
Assessment
Application Form

Ability to develop, monitor
and maintain management
information systems and
procedures.

Understanding of the
principles of charity
accounting regulations
including SORP / SOFA

Application Form
Interview

A track record of successful
financial book-keeping /
record-keeping in a similar
sized organisation.

Understanding of
application of tax and
VAT in charity
accounting

A proven working
knowledge of accounting
software, including a good
understanding of
accounting principles.

Knowledge &
experience

Understanding of
charities operating with
a trading subsidiary
company

Thorough knowledge of
Sage 50 accounting
software

Experience of financial
responsibility for
budgets, end of year
accounts preparation
and external liaison with
auditors.

Experience of working in
a financial capacity
within a charity or

Senior Finance Officer – December 2025

voluntary sector or not-
for-profit organisation

Experience of Retail Epos
and Charity CRM
databases

Application Form
Interview

Use of Sharepoint and
Teams

Skills &
abilities

Ability to work on own
initiative, prioritise
workload, handle pressure
and take day-to-day
decisions relating to basic
finance matters in
accordance with delegated
authority.

Research, analyse and
interpret complex
information and produce
clear verbal and written
reports.

High levels of accuracy and
attention to detail.

Excellent communication
skills both orally and in
writing.

Exceptional organisational
skills.

Proven integrity with
sensitive and confidential
information.

Initiative to identify
improvements in process
and working practices.

Computer literate and
numerate.

Highly proficient with
computerised accounting
systems.

Excellent IT skills including
MS Office packages, in
particular Outlook, Word,

Senior Finance Officer – December 2025

Excel, Power-point and
CRM databases

Self-starter, with the ability
to work autonomously but
also part of a team

Enthusiasm and passion
for Cornwall Air
Ambulance’s work.

Interview

Personal
qualities

“Can-do” attitude.

Self-Motivated.

Flexible approach.

Other

Desire to specialise in
Charity finance and
accounting.

Full UK driving license

Senior Finance Officer – December 2025