Finance Officer

Finance Officer – Part Time (21 Hours)

Organisation: The Counselling & Family Centre (CFC)

Location: Altrincham (Office-based, with flexible working arrangements)

Reports to: CEO

Hours: 21 hours per week, with flexibility around working days and hours to suit the successful candidate.

Salary: £16,800 per annum (£28,000 full-time equivalent)

Contract: Permanent

Applications: Please send your CV to [email protected]

Closing date: 30th October 2026, (we reserve right to close early with the right client).

About Us

At The Counselling & Family Centre (CFC), we're passionate about making a real difference to people's lives. As an established mental health charity, we provide accessible and affordable counselling and emotional wellbeing support to adults, children, young people, couples and families across Greater Manchester.

From supporting individuals through life's challenges to working in schools, local communities and alongside partner organisations, our work helps people improve their mental health, build resilience and move towards a brighter future.

We're a friendly, dedicated team who care deeply about the people we support, and we're looking for someone who shares our values to join us and help make that difference.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity for an organised and enthusiastic finance professional to use their skills to support a charity making a genuine difference in the local community.

You'll be joining a friendly, supportive team where your work will play an important role in helping us continue delivering vital mental health services.

With flexible part-time hours, this could be an ideal opportunity for someone looking to balance a rewarding role with other commitments.

The Role,

We are looking for a reliable, organised and detail-oriented Finance Officer to join our team.

You will play an important role in ensuring the smooth running of the charity's financial administration, maintaining accurate financial records and providing timely financial information to support decision-making.

Working closely with colleagues and senior management, you'll help maintain effective financial controls and support the financial sustainability of the charity.

Key ResponsibilitiesDay-to-Day Financial Administration

• Process purchase invoices, expense claims and payments accurately and on time.
• Raise sales invoices, monitor outstanding payments and follow up overdue accounts.
• Maintain accurate financial records and carry out regular bank reconciliations.
• Manage petty cash and credit card reconciliations.
• Support payroll processing and pension administration, liaising with external providers where appropriate.

Fund Accounting and Income

• Record and allocate income and expenditure accurately across restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Process donations, grants and other income, including Gift Aid where applicable.
• Support grant monitoring and financial reporting to funders.
• Work with colleagues to ensure income and expenditure are correctly recorded and allocated.

Management Accounting and Reporting

• Prepare monthly financial reports and management accounts, including reconciliations and appropriate accounting adjustments.
• Produce budget-versus-actual reports and highlight significant variances.
• Support cash-flow monitoring, budgeting and financial forecasting.
• Provide accurate financial information to support management decisions.

Year-End and Compliance

• Prepare financial records and working papers to support the annual audit or independent examination.
• Liaise with external accountants and support the preparation of annual accounts.
• Assist with compliance relating to HMRC, Charity Commission requirements and relevant charity accounting standards.
• Maintain appropriate financial records and supporting documentation.

Financial Controls and Governance

• Maintain effective financial procedures and internal controls.
• Ensure financial transactions are appropriately authorised and documented.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and efficiency.
• Support the preparation of financial information for Trustees and management.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop the charity's accounting system (QuickBooks).
• Respond to financial queries from colleagues, suppliers, funders and external accountants.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.

Person SpecificationEssential

Qualifications and Experience

• AAT Level 3 qualification or equivalent practical experience in finance or bookkeeping.
• Experience working in a finance, accounts or bookkeeping role.
• Experience of bank reconciliations, financial record keeping and month-end processes.
• Good understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and financial controls.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and confidence using accounting software.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and solve problems.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality when handling sensitive financial information.

Personal Qualities

• A positive and proactive approach to work.
• Commitment to the charity's mission and values.
• A collaborative and supportive approach to working with colleagues.
• Willingness to learn, develop skills and improve existing processes.
• Reliable, trustworthy and self-motivated.

Desirable

• AAT Level 4 qualification or working towards a professional accounting qualification.
• Previous experience working within a charity or not-for-profit organisation.
• Experience of restricted fund accounting, grants and financial reporting to funders.
• Knowledge of the Charities SORP and Gift Aid.
• Experience using QuickBooks or similar cloud-based accounting software.
• Experience supporting payroll and pension administration.
• Experience preparing management accounts, budgets or cash-flow forecasts.
• Experience providing financial guidance or support to non-finance colleagues.

What We Offer

• Flexible working: 21 hours per week, with flexibility around working patterns.
• Enhanced annual leave entitlement.
• Employer pension contributions.
• Access to charity worker discounts.
• A friendly and supportive working environment.
• The opportunity to contribute to a well-established charity making a positive difference to people's lives.

How to Apply

If you're an organised and enthusiastic finance professional looking for a rewarding part-time opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your CV to [email protected].

The Counselling & Family Centre is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £28,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 21.0 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Altrincham WA15 9RP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person