Internal Accountant

Responsible for: Leading on the charity’s management accounting and financial reporting

Hours: Part time, 3 days per week

Reports to: Business & Finance Manager

Role overview

City of Trees is looking for an experienced charity accountant to strengthen our internal finance function and provide high-quality financial insight to our senior management team and board of trustees.

City of Trees Trust is a fast-growing environmental charity working to plant trees, restore woodland, and create greener, healthier communities. Now in its third year, with a turnover exceeding £4 million, the organisation is entering an exciting new phase of expansion. Our work is funded through a diverse mix of grants, corporate donations, and contracted delivery projects.

This newly created role will lead on the charity’s management accounting and financial reporting; including preparing monthly management accounts, providing restricted fund analysis, budgeting and monitoring, support strategic decision-making, and ensure strong financial control.

About City of Trees

We are City of Trees, the Community Forest for Greater Manchester and registered charity. We plant trees, we look after trees, we promote a culture of trees. We plant trees for people; to create better, greener places; to boost health and wellbeing; to enhance green skills; and to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency. We’re rooted here in Greater Manchester, the place we live and work.

We are proud to call Greater Manchester home and are passionate about making our region even better, one tree at a time.

Benefits

• Flexi-time
• 25 days paid holiday plus 8 bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time employees)
• Training and development opportunities
• Employer match up to 8% contribution pension scheme after 3-months service
• Cycle to work scheme
• Comprehensive health & wellbeing package

Key duties and responsibilities:

Management Accounting & Reporting

• Produce timely, accurate monthly management accounts using Quick Books.
• Prepare detailed restricted and unrestricted fund analysis.
• Provide variance analysis and commentary to the Management Team and Trustees.
• Prepare and present quarterly finance reports for the Board of Trustees and relevant sub-committees.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Cashflow

• Work with the Senior Management Team and Business & Finance Manager on the annual budgeting cycle across departments.
• Prepare updated forecasts throughout the year.
• Maintain monthly cashflow forecasts and advise on cash requirements.
• Support budget managers in understanding project budgets and financial performance.

Financial Controls & Compliance

• Support the Business & Finance Team with day-to-day financial processing.
• Work with the Business & Finance Team to review and develop financial policies, procedures, and internal controls (existing framework in place).
• Ensure accounting records comply with charity-specific requirements (SORP, fund accounting, restricted funds, VAT).
• Support the preparation of year-end accounts and audit information for the external accountant and auditor.

Operational Finance

• Lead on reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, including grant and project balances.
• Monitor grant expenditure against funding agreements and ensure accurate allocation to restricted funds.
• Liaise with operational teams on project financials and contract delivery.
• Support Business & Finance Team with monthly payroll process.

Year-End & External Reporting

• Prepare year-end working papers and accounts for submission to the external accountant and auditor.
• Assist with queries from auditors and funders.
• Support preparation of financial information for grant applications and reports.

General

• To support the senior management team and build strong relationships with managers and wider members of the team.
• Monitor and implement general statutory requirements e.g. risk assessments, Health & Safety, data protection and GDPR.
• Perform any other duties, as required, in line with expectation within organisational framework.

Person Specification

Essential

• Strong experience working in a charity finance environment, including restricted fund accounting
• Part or fully CIMA, ACA or ACCA qualified
• Using Quickbooks or other financial…