Finance Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Finance Officer

Job title:
Grade:

Finance Officer
NJC Scale 6-SO1, Points 18-25 £31,537- £36,363

Contract end date:  Fixed term (with potential to become permanent, subject to funding)
Annual Leave:
Responsible to:
Location:
Hours of work:
Job Summary:

27 days per annum (pro rata)
Finance Manager
Office base Manchester city centre
37.5 hours (5 days) per week
This is an exciting opportunity at 42nd Street to join our Finance Team
and play a pivotal role in the charity’s financial management,
sustainability and oversight of internal financial systems. 42nd Street is
values-led and committed to anti-oppressive practice, equality and
improving outcomes for young people; the Finance Officer and as part
of the wider Operations Team, will contribute to this mission by ensuring
resources are managed transparently, responsibly and in ways that
support high-quality, accessible services.

The Finance Officer will have direct responsibility for inputting,
analysing and interpreting financial data, supporting the external audit
and year-end process and developing and implementing systems and
controls that strengthen the charity’s operations. Working closely with
the Finance Manager, you will support the effective management of
individual project budgets and the overall organisational budget,
ensuring compliance with Charity Law, Charity SORP and funder
requirements.

Alongside the Finance Manager you will work closely with the Chief
Executive and Senior Leaders, providing reliable financial information to
support strategic decision-making. The role offers opportunities for
professional development and progression, supported through
supervision, training, and increased responsibility as skills and
experience grow.

Date:
Version:
Author:

January 2026
Final
Leonie Brown

KEY TASKS:

1.0

Key Responsibilities

•  Budgeting and Financial Management

o  Taking an active role in the development, monitoring and review of the

organisation’s annual budget and multi-year forecasts.

o  Supporting day-to-day management of individual project budgets in line with

funding agreements.

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o  Monitoring variances and providing timely advice on over/under spending to

budget holders.

o  Reviewing planned expenditure and implementing agreed budget adjustments

throughout the year.

o  Explaining funding/budgeting to non-financial staff

•  Financial Records Systems and Controls

o  Maintaining complete, accurate, and up-to-date financial records in line with

internal controls and audit requirements.

o  Managing the purchase ledger including processing supplier invoices and making

payments using various methods (e.g., BACS, PayPal, business cards).

o  Managing the sales ledger including sending out invoices, tracking and chasing

payments and ensuring timely receipt of income.

o  Processing donations, fundraising income and managing a petty cash system,

including reconciliation.

o

Input operational transactions into the accounting system ensuring income and
expenditure are correctly allocated to the relevant.

o  Supporting the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of

financial systems procedures and controls.

•  Reporting and Compliance

o  Preparing and contributing to high-quality financial reports for funders and

supporting the financial aspects of funding applications.

o  Upholding financial controls and policy for 42nd Street.

o  Contributing to financial assessments of project funding and reporting

discrepancies or control issues.

o  Assisting in preparing year-end accounts for external audit and responding to

audit queries.

o  Providing financial reports and information to the Senior Leadership Team,

Management Team and other staff.

o  Ensuring compliance with Charity Law and internal financial policies.

o  Providing general administrative and operational support within the Business

Operations Team.

2.0      Shared with all workers:

▪  Upholding and actively promoting the values and principles of 42nd Street, including

a strong commitment to anti-oppressive practice and ensuring services are
accessible to young people who experience exclusion, including global majority
young people, disabled young people, LGBTQ+ young people and care
experienced/estranged young people

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▪  Ensuring compliance with legal requirements and organisational policies, particularly
in relation to information governance, data protection, confidentiality, health and
safety and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

▪  Participating in team meetings, supervision, annual appraisal and organisational

development activities.

▪  Taking responsibility for identifying personal learning and professional development

needs.

The principal responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of duties, only a general guide to the
post. In consultation with the post holder, the duties may change from time to time to reflect
the changing needs of the service.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Post: Finance Officer

Note to applicants: Note to applicants: Please write you application using these points as a
guide, detailing whether you meet the criteria of each point and providing examples where
necessary.

The ideal post holder should meet all the essential requirements detailed below. Consideration will be
given to desirable requirements if there are more than 6 candidates who meet all the essential
requirements. With reference to the requirements under item 4 where it is referenced ‘application’ it is
sufficient to indicate agreement to commit to the identified professional areas.

SELECTION CRITERIA

METHOD OF
ASSESSMENT

ESSENTIAL  DESIRABLE

1.   Training, Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate will have:

a.  A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a financial

role.

b.  Qualification in or working toward AAT Level 3

accounting or above

c.  Experience of working in the not-for-profit sector
or able to demonstrate understanding of key
differences/issues relating to charity finance
d.  Experience of recording and preparing financial

data for formal accounts

e.  Experience of contributing to funding bids,

reporting to funders and managing donations.

f.  Experience of using a commercial accounting

software – ideally QuickBooks

✓  Application
✓  Interview
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✓  Application
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✓  Application
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2.   Knowledge
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

a.  Accomplished ICT skills including use of

Windows and Microsoft Office applications such
as Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams in
additional to a financial accounting software

3.   Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate will be able to:

a.  Sound financial/numerical and analytical skills.

b.  Effective and positive communicator, both

verbal and in writing with demonstrable ability to
communicate complex information in a clear,
concise and compelling manner

c.  Strong eye for detail, efficient and work to a high

standard

d.  Self-starter, able to use own initiative, multi-task

and manage deadlines

e.  Plan, organise and prioritise own workload and

manage time effectively.

✓  Application
✓  Interview

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f.  Flexible, adaptable and be able to work both

independently and as part of a team to achieve
goals

✓  Application
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g.  Be an active, positive and enthusiastic member

of 42nd Street finance team.

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4.   Professional Commitment
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate commitment to:

a.  Ensuring that issue of equality and a respect for

diversity is reflected in all aspects of work.
b.  Continued professional development through
undertaking training and participating in other
learning opportunities.

c.  Recognition of the need to be accountable for

work through supervision, performance
management and other relevant processes.
d.  Work as part of a team, contributing to 42nd

✓  Application
✓  Interview

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Street’s effectiveness, quality of services, skills
and expertise.

✓  Interview

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