Management Accountant

Overview

To set out accounts, business plan and cash flow for a community solar energy project in a proper way. Transition Tattenhall is a community benefit society (reg# 8824). Its purpose is to develop projects that mitigate the effect of climate change locally, specifically in reducing consumption, reducing GHG emissions, promoting biodiversity and increasing community resilience. We have an asset lock, which means funds can only be used for our objects, so we are non profit.

Transition Tattenhall currently runs a number of projects, including repair cafe, watercourse monitoring, childrens gardening and a solar project, which is the relevant project for this email. The solar project involves raising money through a community share issue to install solar panels on local businesses and schools, contracting to buy electricity at a cheap rate, and using any surplus to repay investors, pay some interest and provide money for community benefit (according to the asset lock).

We have been through some ups and downs but are ramping up to make offers to customers and do the share offer. Currently we have 4 sites and are looking at a capital raise of about £280,000 with a community benefit of about £12,000/yr. We have funding from Community Energy Fund (now GB Energy) to bring the project to an investable stage, following a successful feasibility study.

The point of this request is that while we understand our costs, income and cash flow and can describe that in Excel spreadsheets, we lack financial knowledge to arrange that in a conventional way—for example does VAT come before or after gross profit? how are repayments of capital treated? We need someone who has financial training who can present our figures in a proper way so that we do not, through ignorance, make a mistake.

We need the help of someone with financial background and experience to help us set out our accounts, business plan, and cash flow in a proper manner.

• Assist in presenting our costs, income and cash flow in a conventional, accurate format.
• Help set out accounts, business plan and cash flow for the solar project.
• Clarify and advise on how VAT and capital repayments are treated in the financials.

• Financial training and practical experience in accounting/finance.
• Ability to present figures clearly and ensure compliance with financial best practices.