Finance Co-ordinator

Join Emmaus Hertfordshire and use your finance skills to help transform lives and support people out of homelessness. As our Finance Co-ordinator, you'll bring accuracy, heart and organisation to a mission-driven charity making a real local impact.

Emmaus Hertfordshire is a charity supporting people who have experienced homelessness by providing stable homes, meaningful work, and skills development. Through its social enterprises, the organisation helps individuals rebuild their confidence and independence while contributing to a vibrant, supportive community.

Overall Purpose of the Role

The Finance Coordinator plays a key role in ensuring that Emmaus Hertfordshire maintains accurate, timely and compliant financial information in support of its charitable and social enterprise activities.

You will work closely with the Operations & Finance Manager, Trustees, Chief Executive, staff, companions, and external partners to provide clear financial reporting, strong financial controls, and expert guidance that supports good decision-making across the organisation.

As a proactive member of the Management Team, you will also contribute to financial policy development and continuous improvement of systems and processes, working within the Emmaus values, ethos and principles.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Controls

• Maintain effective financial control over all revenue, expenditure, and cash handling across the community.
• Prepare spreadsheets for monthly payroll and pension contributions.
• Support the Finance Manager, Chief Executive and Treasurer in preparing, setting and creating the annual budget.
• Maintain companion rent accounts, Housing benefit and Gift Aid applications.
• Lead the year-end process and liaise with external auditors to ensure an efficient and compliant audit.

2. Financial Reporting

• Produce accurate and timely financial information, including providing information to support monthly management accounts and forecast reports.
• Support the preparation of financial reports for the Board, Committees and senior leadership as required.

3. Financial Analysis

• Undertake financial analysis of business development and new income-generation opportunities to help minimise financial risk.
• Provide analysis and insight to support decision-making across social enterprise operations and to maximise trading income.

4. Additional Duties

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic and business plans.
• Attend and actively participate in staff, companion, Trustee and Board meetings where required.
• Review internal controls and identify opportunities for improving financial processes.
• Develop procedure manuals and promote best practice within the finance function.
• Work flexibly as part of the leadership team to meet the wider needs of the charity.
• Undertake any other financial duties required by the Finance Manager and Chief Executive.

Key Tasks

Daily / Weekly

• Manage day-to-day accounting using QuickBooks. (Experience with Zero accounting software would be advantageous)
• Maintain accurate accounting records and financial ledgers.
• Reconcile financial accounts and manage spreadsheets.
• Oversee credit control.
• Administer online banking, cheque handling and payment processing.
• Process invoices, expense claims and payment requests.
• Verify financial calculations in QuickBooks.
• Carry out bank reconciliations and cash management.
• Manage petty cash.
• Manage Companion Allowances.
• Provide ad hoc reports and information to the Finance Manager and Chief Executive.

Monthly

• Prepare and submit salary calculator spreadsheet for Payroll and submit HMRC returns. Manage PAYE payments.
• Manage companion rent accounts and housing benefit records.
• Prepare VAT returns.
• Work with the external accountants to produce monthly P&L and balance sheet reports.
• Complete gift Aid submissions.
• Support our external accountants in preparing documentation for Month End accounts

Annually

• Support the preparation of annual statutory accounts.
• Liaise with external advisers on statutory financial information.
• Assist the Finance Manager, Chief Exec and Trustees with annual budget setting.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Minimum 5 years experience in financial reporting, planning, budgeting, and analysis.
• Experience using QuickBooks or similar accounting software.
• Ability to work both independently and within a diverse team.
• Experience developing and implementing financial systems and processes.
• Proficiency in IT, including Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in the voluntary/charity sector or in working with a Board of Trustees.
• Experience working with vulnerable adults or those with complex needs.
• Project management experience.

Education / Professional Certification

• Bachelor s degree in Accounting, Business, or related field.
• Desirable: Additional finance-related training or professional development.

Skills

• Strong financial and analytical skills, with proven expertise in financial reporting.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong understanding of business principles and practices.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and motivational skills.
• Discreet, trustworthy and reliable.
• Effective time-management and organisational skills.
• Ability to work methodically, independently and to deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and prioritisation skills.
• Competent IT user (Word, Excel, email, internet).

Knowledge and Commitment

• Commitment to confidentiality, data protection and professional boundaries.
• Understanding and embodiment of the Emmaus ethos and principles.
• Desirable: Awareness of issues around homelessness and lived experience.
• Desirable: HR knowledge or experience.

Personal Characteristics

• Belief in the potential of every individual and the importance of community.
• A positive team player with the ability to lead, collaborate and delegate.
• Empathetic and supportive of people from diverse backgrounds.
• Self-aware, self-motivated and calm under pressure.
• Commitment to environmental sustainability and social development.
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Welcoming, non-judgmental and respectful towards companions, staff and volunteers.

General Information

Emmaus St Albans operates its retail six days a week (Monday Saturday). The Finance Co-Ordinators working hours will be agreed with the line manager, and flexibility is essential.

All roles at Emmaus Hertfordshire involve working with vulnerable people and therefore require strict adherence to professional boundaries and confidentiality. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Staff must uphold the reputation of Emmaus Hertfordshire by following all policies and maintaining positive relationships with staff, volunteers, companions and Trustees.
You are also expected to engage to some degree with the wider Emmaus movement at local, regional, national and international levels.

We expect all employees to work in an environmentally aware manner, applying value-for-money principles in purchasing decisions.
Volunteers are a vital part of the Emmaus mission, and all staff are expected to support and encourage volunteer involvement.