Job Opportunity at Forward Thinking - Administrator and Bookkeeper

Forward Thinking is looking to employ an Administrator and BookkeeperThe Administrator & Bookkeeper is central to our efficient operation – your financial acumen and attention to detail will help us run successful programmes, report to our funders and stay compliant with various reporting requirements.You will be working in close contact with the Director and with regard to grants, the relevant programme manager. In addition, with your input and support, the Director - working with you and the accountant who produces the annual accounts - will oversee the production of the annual audit, budget, management of accounts and longer term financial planning.____________________________________Reporting to:              DirectorFunction of post:       To enable the Charity to achieve its objectives by being a professional point of contact and managing the day to day bookkeeping and administration of the office and programmes.OrganisationForward Thinking is a proactive, demand-driven, facilitative organisation that works:

• To promote a more inclusive peace process in the Middle East.
• To facilitate political dialogues in, and between, the Arab/Muslim and Western worlds.
• To promote in the UK, greater understanding and confidence between diverse grassroots Muslim communities and wider society.

The office is based at The Griffin Building, 83 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1R 5ARFor more information please see the website www.forward-thinking.orgContract basis: Full time – 5 days a week (35 hour week) with additional time when necessary (and to be agreed with Director).10.00am to 6.00pm with one hour for lunch (flexibility with agreement)£2,500/monthResponsible to: DirectorMain Duties and ResponsibilitiesMaintaining all financial records and data accurately and within agreed systems, to include:

• Entering all transactions on our accounting software and in particular updating sales and purchase ledgers – updating to profit and loss stage and updating balance sheet.
• Processing payments and maintaining accurate records of authorisation and notification to the payees.
• Managing the system to produce grant reports.
• To undertake monthly reconciliations of all bank and card accounts.
• Filing of all accounting documentation.
• Monthly Payroll processing and related HMRC and pension payments and liaising with external parties as required.
• Preparing and posting the monthly salaries journal.  Reconciling the payroll nominal ledger accounts.
• Responding to relevant telephone, post and email enquiries.
• Maintaining the purchase ledger - entering suppliers’ invoices on the system and, with the support of the Office Manager, ensuring that they are properly authorised, preparing cheques at the appropriate time, arranging signature.
• Liaise with travel agent and the booking of flights.
• Organise quarterly Board of Trustees meeting at our offices and prepare agenda for the same and be present at the meeting to note the minutes of the meeting.
• Maintain proper filing procedures for each respective project income and expenditure, which should then be easily accessible to the Director and the FT team at short notice
• Maintain filing for the various areas of the charity’s work, including contracts, reports and important correspondence as directed by those responsible for the operational obligations of the work.
• Any other duties as agreed.

Person Specification Evidenced achievements, e.g.:

• Bookkeeping Qualification or equivalent
• Typing/Word Processing
• Trained in Sage or other bookkeeping software

Experience

• Experience of working in a Charitable Organisation and ideally understanding of Charity   financial management
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office & sage accounts experience, with exceptional Excel skills

Aptitudes

• Excellent interpersonal skills (e.g. communication, self-awareness, building trust, questioning          & listening, influencing, assertiveness, problem solving, decision making)
  • Numerate & Literate
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Excellent telephone manner
  • Attention to detail

Personal Attributes

• Able to prioritise
• Able to work to deadlines
• Able to work on own initiative
• Discreet
• Flexible
• Self-Motivated
• Pro-active Team Worker
• Enthusiastic

Please send a CV and cover letter to admin@forwardthinking.org