Finance Assistant

Finance Assistant (0.5 FTE)

Are you a detail-focused finance professional who wants your work to have real social impact? At Bookmark we exist to change children's life stories and outcomes through the joy of reading.

As our Finance Assistant, you will play a key role in keeping our financial operations accurate, efficient and well-organised, helping to ensure we can deliver our mission with confidence and care. Reporting to the Finance Manager and working closely with the Chief Finance and Operations Officer, you will be a valued part of a small, supportive team where your contribution really matters and where you will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day financial operations of the charity.

About us

We are a small, ambitious and collaborative team, united by a shared commitment to helping children develop the reading skills and confidence they need to thrive. We work hard, support one another, and are always looking for thoughtful ways to improve how we work.

If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds. By working with us, you can support our mission to change children's life stories through the joy of reading.

Job Description

Bookkeeping and transaction processing

• Report to the Finance Manager, and work with the Senior Leadership Team and wider team, on all finance data and information
• Maintain accurate records for all transactions and bank reconciliations in our financial system, Xero
• Purchase ledger control - process accounts payable invoices and prepare required payments on our bank account
• Sales ledger control - co-ordinate with the fundraising and operations team to ensure accurate invoicing to schools, donors and corporate partners
• Manage the PO system, ensuring that POs are set up correctly and within budget
• Support the Finance Manager and fundraising team to track restricted funding

Month and year end processes

• Support the Finance Manager at month end close and monthly financial reporting, including preparing monthly management accounts and balance sheet reconciliations
• Support the Finance Manager and team to prepare the annual business plan, budget, audit and forecasts

Payroll

• Support the Finance Manager in preparing and reviewing monthly payroll files
• Carry out the payroll process (including pension processing), liaising with HR, line managers and our payroll provider

Inbox Management

• In collaboration with the Finance Manager, review and organise the Finance inbox
• Able to deal with everyday queries and notify/ forward to the Finance Manager or Chief Finance and Operations Officer as appropriate

Person Specification

Essential

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel), with advanced Excel skills
• Experience working in an accounting or finance role or with transferable skills, or someone who has, or is currently studying for a bookkeeping qualification
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Friendly, inquisitive and helpful mindset
• Structured problem-solving approach with excellent attention to detail
• Service delivery focused
• Time-management and strong organisation skills
• Confidentiality and integrity are of utmost importance, due to the sensitive nature of the information that is managed by this role
• Ability to work independently and contribute as part of a team
• Enthusiastic, professional and positive, with a strong desire to learn
• Flexible mindset to working in a busy organisation

Desirable

• Salesforce and / or SharePoint experience
• Confidence using digital tools and a willingness to adopt new technologies, including AI, to improve efficiency

Contract type: 1 year FTC with the potential to extend to a permanent contract.

Salary: £15,000- £16,000 per annum (£30,000- £32,000 FTE) depending on training level, qualifications and relevant experience

Location: Bookmark Reading Charity, Charles House, 5-11 Regent Street, Saint James's, London SW1Y 4LR
. Minimum one day per week based at the Bookmark office, which must include…