Finance Officer

deafPLUS is a dynamic and evolving organisation focused on improving the life chances of deaf and visually impaired individuals in certain regions, including Birmingham and West of England. Through partnerships, we raise awareness of their needs and provide essential information, advocacy, and advice to enable full participation in society. Our commitment extends to offering wellbeing support, and we are currently working on a new strategy taking us to 2027.
Established in 1971, deafPLUS has a rich history in providing exceptional support services to the deaf community. Recently, we unveiled a new logo in collaboration with our staff, service users and supporters.
We maintain a person-centred ethos and prioritise excellent customer service to our stakeholders.

Are you an experienced finance professional looking for a meaningful role in the charity sector? deafPLUS is seeking a Finance Officer to support our mission of empowering deaf people. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading deaf-led organisation and ensure the smooth financial running of our charity.

Are you the person for us?

Your Role:

As our Finance Officer, you'll play a key role in maintaining accurate financial
records, processing transactions, and supporting financial reporting. You'll work closely with the CEO, external accounting provider, and managers to ensure financial efficiency across the organisation.
What You'll Do:
Process purchase invoices, staff expenses, and supplier payments
Prepare and send invoices to funders and customers
Manage credit control and track incoming funding
Reconcile bank accounts and petty cash records
Collate payroll information for our external provider
Assist with budget preparation and financial reporting for funders and trustees
Restart and manage the Gift Aid reclaim process
Ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures
What We're Looking For:
️ Experience: 3+ years in finance, accounting, or bookkeeping
️ Skills: Proficiency in Xero (or similar), strong numerical and analytical skills

️ Knowledge: Understanding of charity finance, financial regulations, and HMRC
requirements (incl. Gift Aid)
️ Communication: Ability to explain finance matters clearly to non-financial staff
️ Work Ethic: Self-motivated, reliable, and detail-oriented

• Desirable: AAT/part-qualified accountant, charity sector experience, familiarity with payroll & pension administration, and an understanding of deaf culture/BSL.

Why Join Us?
At deafPLUS, 97% of our staff are deaf, ensuring an authentic, empowering
environment for the communities we serve. Be part of a team that makes a real difference, with our CEO, Reg Cobb, and the great team within.

Apply Now!
To apply, send your expression of interest to Deanna Roberts -
, for us to send an application pack.
The closing date is Tuesday 22 nd April.
Help us break language barriers and empower those deprived of a voice!

Finance Officer
Salary: £37,000 FTE (£14,800 pro-rata for 2 days per week)
Hours: 2 days per week (15 hours)
Location: One day a week, remote, and one day a week in London.
Reports to: CEO and external business accounting provider
Works with: External business accounting provider, senior leadership team, and junior managers.

Role Overview
The Finance Officer plays a vital role in the daily running of the charity. The role primarily is a bookkeeping role to keep the sales ledger and purchase ledgers accurate at all times, carry out credit control duties, gather and process management information, collate payroll information, communicate with other staff members and stakeholders as necessary to keep the accounting function up to date. Of particular importance is the ability to communicate effectively with all team members in a deaf organisation and to be proactive and persistent in following up on information, ensuring deadlines are met and all necessary details are gathered, and projects are kept on track.

Key Responsibilities

• Process purchase invoices and staff expenses in a timely and accurate manner to Xero accounting software using the correct nominal and project coding by consulting with the centre managers and/or project holders
• Preparing and loading on to the bank supplier payments ready for authorisation
• Preparing and send out invoices to customers and funders on Xero accounting software as required using the correct nominal and project coding by consulting with the centre managers and/or project holders
• Credit control to ensure timely payment of customer invoices and ensuring funding comes in at the correct intervals
• Collating of petty cash tin information from centre managers and reconciling on Xero accounting software
• Collate payroll information from centre managers on a monthly basis for presentation to the external business accounting provider to run the monthly payroll
• Reconciling the bank accounts on Xero accounting software and chasing for missing invoices, receipts, or other information
• Restarting and managing the Gift Aid reclaim process
• Assist the external business accounting provider with preparing reports for funders and the CEO
• Assist the external business accounting provider with preparing information for the monthly and quarterly reporting process to the Board of Trustees (the external business accounting provider will carry out the month end and quarter end adjustments and procedures and the production of the management accounts) as well as weekly catch ups with the external business accounting provider
• Assist the external business accounting provider and the CEO in preparing budgets for funding applications and project proposals
• Support the external business accounting provider and the external accountant with the annual independent examination/audit
• Ensure financial policies and procedures are followed and updated, as necessary.

Person Specification
Essential Criteria

• Experience: At least 3 years of experience in finance, accounting, or bookkeeping
• Knowledge: Understanding of financial regulations, charity finance, and HMRC requirements (including Gift Aid)

Skills:

• Proficiency in Xero accounting software (or similar)
• Strong numerical and analytical skills
• Ability to assist with producing clear financial reports
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Communication: Ability to explain financial matters clearly to non-financial staff.
• Work Ethic: Self-motivated, reliable, and able to work independently.
• Compliance: Understanding of financial policies, risk management, and governance.

Desirable Criteria

• Qualification: AAT qualification or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA). Other qualifications or qualified by experience will be considered if experience within the Charity sector can be demonstrated
• Sector Experience: Previous experience working in a charity or non-profit organisation.
• Systems: Familiarity with payroll and pension administration.
• BSL Awareness: An understanding of deaf culture and British Sign Language

(BSL) is beneficial.