Assistant (Finance)

JOB DESCRIPTION

BUSINESS & FINANCE

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 09:00 am, Tuesday 10 November 2026

INTERVIEWS: TBC, but expected to be Tuesday, 17 November 2026

• Role: Assistant (Finance)
• Hours: 30 hours per week (0.80 FTE).
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: £26,720 FTE, pro rata. Based on full-time hours of 37.5 per week, the salary for 30 hours per week is £21,376 per annum (£1,781.33 per month).

Overview of role:

The Finance Assistant works as part of the Business and Finance Team, supporting the accurate and efficient processing of financial information across Trent Vineyard and its subsidiaries, TV Conferencing Ltd and Trent Compassion Trust.

The role comprises two core elements:

The administration of giving and donations, including maintaining accurate donor records, processing financial data and supporting the preparation of Gift Aid claims.

Wider support to the Finance Team, including purchase and sales ledger processing, cash and cheque handling, reconciliations and responding to financial queries.

Accuracy, confidentiality and attention to detail are central to the role, particularly when handling personal donor information and financial records.

Key Responsibilities

Giving & Donations

Process and analyse donation information on a monthly basis, using Excel spreadsheets and reports from relevant platforms.

Reconcile donation income received against ChurchSuite records and investigate discrepancies.

Maintain accurate donor records within ChurchSuite, including adding new donors, updating existing records and maintaining relevant tags.

Identify and process changes relating to donors and donations.

Ensure donor and donation records are accurate and complete in preparation for Gift Aid claims to HMRC.

Monitor the Giving inbox and respond appropriately to enquiries, including Gift Aid queries, changes to donations, new donors and more complex giving requests.

Handle donor and financial information sensitively and confidentially at all times.

Finance Team Support

Process purchase invoices and reconcile payments made.

Prepare credit card returns.

Raise sales invoices and reconcile payments received.

Liaise with suppliers, customers and staff to resolve queries.

Prepare weekly supplier payments.

Maintain supplier and customer records within Sage 50.

Count and record cash received and update relevant records.

Prepare cash and cheques for banking and investigate any discrepancies.

Monitor and organise the Accounts inbox.

Send purchases to relevant budget holders for approval.

Respond to general finance queries and provide administrative support to the Management Accountant.

General Responsibilities

Work collaboratively as part of the Business and Finance Team.

Maintain accurate and well-organised financial records.

Maintain appropriate confidentiality when handling financial and personal information.

Attend relevant meetings and training as required.

Work in accordance with Trent Vineyard's financial procedures and relevant policies.

Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role, in agreement with the Line Manager.

Be available to work occasional Sundays where required and agreed in advance.

Reporting Relationships

You report to: Management Accountant

Person Specification

Values & Behaviours

Essential:

Be a Christian.*

Understand and be committed to the Vision and Values of Trent Vineyard, including how we value Giving as a church.

Demonstrate integrity, honesty and discretion.

Skills & Attributes

Essential:

Have strong numeracy and literacy skills.

Be confident using Microsoft Excel, including working with and analysing numerical data.

Have good general digital and ICT skills and be confident learning new systems.

Have a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Be able to maintain accurate and well-organised records.

Understand the need for confidentiality and handle personal and financial information appropriately.

Be able to plan, prioritise and manage workload effectively, working with minimal supervision when required.

Be able to meet deadlines and see tasks through to completion.

Communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues, donors, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Be self-motivated, reliable and able to use initiative.

Work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team.

Desirable:

Have a basic understanding of accounting principles.

Experience

Essential:

Experience using spreadsheets to process, manipulate or analyse numerical data.

Desirable:

Previous experience working within a finance, accounts or bookkeeping role.

Experience of purchase ledger and/or sales ledger processing and financial reconciliations.

Experience working with donations, Gift Aid or within a charity/church finance environment.

Experience using Sage 50 or similar accounting software.

Experience using ChurchSuite or another CRM/database system.

Other Requirements

Essential:

Be willing and able to work occasional Sundays where required and agreed in advance.

*This role contains an Occupational Requirement to be a Christian as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act 2010.

Other Relevant Factors:

Right to work in the UK

Working Benefits

28 days annual leave pro rata including statutory bank holidays

Additional days’ leave over Christmas (as applicable)

Annual staff day and team events

Enhanced sick pay, pension contributions and family leave pay

Group Life cover

Cycle to work scheme

Coffee Shop discount

Free annual Specsavers eye tests

Access to Employee Assist Program

Long Service Award (when you reach the qualifying period)