We are looking for a Finance Assistant to join our dedicated Finance Team. In this vital role, you will ensure accurate and timely income transactions, supporting the financial operations that underpin the services we provide to our clients and partners. Your contributions will directly impact Aspens' ability to meet its charitable aims and financial objectives. As part of the Finance Team, you will be responsible for overseeing credit control, sales ledger maintenance, recharges, resident funds, and ad-hoc finance tasks. You'll work closely with internal teams, external customers, and partners to ensure the smooth processing of all financial transactions and accounts. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Credit Control:

• Oversee the sales ledger, ensuring that all service placement fees are invoiced correctly and promptly, meeting month-end deadlines.
• Undertake credit control, liaising with customers via telephone and email, ensuring accurate records of communications in the finance system.
• Maintain aged debtors within predefined levels as directed by the Financial Operations Manager.
• Ensure block contracts are invoiced with correct uplifts applied.
• Ensure timely and accurate posting of funds to customer accounts and allocation to invoices.
• Set up new clients on the system and perform due diligence checks.
• Reconcile sales accounts on a monthly basis and weekly when required.
Recharges & Resident Funds:
• Post internal recharges and liaise with the Purchase Ledger Assistant to ensure timely reconciliation.
• Process all requested recharges and generate invoices as needed.
• Review resident fund activities, ensuring proper posting and reconciliation.
Sales Ledger:
• Raise weekly/monthly invoices, applying current rates, and uploading them to customer portals or local authority sites.
• Liaise with the Referrals Officer for changes in hours or prices in contracts.
• Manage banking of receipts, including cash and cheques, ensuring BACS transfers wherever possible.
• Assist in the annual year-end audit process.
• Produce monthly Landlord statement reports for the Housing team.
• Review expend card requests, ensuring sufficient funds before submission to the Processing Manager.
• Handle onboarding and offboarding of People We Care For (PWC), including issuing and deleting expend cards.
• Process ad-hoc sales invoices as requested by the Business Development/Income Generation team.
General Responsibilities:
• Adhere to safeguarding rules and regulations, ensuring the protection of service users and staff.
• Maintain a safe working environment, reporting any health and safety issues.
• Act as a positive team member, contributing fully to the duties of your role and adhering to policies and procedures.
• Uphold the charity's core values and generate a positive image of the organization to all stakeholders.
• Promote equality of opportunity, dignity, and respect in all dealings with staff and service users.
• Engage in professional development, maintaining and improving skills in agreement with your line manager.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as required to support the financial and business performance of Aspens.
  
  We are seeking an individual with a financial background and a commitment to the values of Aspens. Ideal candidates will have excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to credit control and finance management., 5 or more GCSEs (or equivalent), including English & Maths (Grades A-C or 9-4).
• AAT qualification or studying towards financial qualifications.
• Minimum of 3 years of recent experience in a Sales Ledger/Credit Control role.
• Strong time management and organisational skills.
• Numerate with an eye for detail.
• IT literate, particularly in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Desirable Criteria:
• Experience working with local authorities as clients.
• Knowledge of Charity SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice).
• A moderate understanding of Power BI.
  
  At Aspens, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism. Our values - Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Integrity - underpin everything we do. Join us as we deliver quality services to clients and partners, while upholding the highest standards in finance and business support., At Aspens Charities, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities and those who are likely to be underrepresented in Aspens' workforce, such as sex/gender, minority ethnic group, religion, belief, sexual orientation, age, as well as abilities. We believe that a diverse team leads to better outcomes and a more enjoyable work environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and has an equal opportunity to thrive.
As a Disability Confident employer, Aspens Charities is dedicated to supporting and promoting the recruitment, retention, and career development of people with disabilities. We recognise the value and contributions that individuals with disabilities bring to our organisation.

Expectation after probation - 2 days a week (or more depending on work requirements) worked at our Cornford Lane site, Pembury TN2 4QU. Must live in Kent/Surrey/Sussex. Contracted Hours/Salary: 4 days (29.6 hours per week) / £20,660 per annum,
• Fantastic paid training and career progression opportunities (including recognised qualifications in health and social care)
• Paid DBS (we will recover the cost should your employment terminate for any reason, other than redundancy, before passing your probation)
• Flexible work arrangements with opportunities to take on additional bank shifts too
• 30 Days Annual Leave (including Bank Holidays) / Pro rata dependent on hours. Annual leave entitlement increases with length of service
• Nest Pension and Death in Service Benefit
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Access to Mental Health First Aiders
• Aspens High Street Stores - 20% discount on all items for Aspens' staff stores
• Bluebell cafe- Discounted staff menu available
• Refer a Friend scheme, so you can earn up to £250 for every person you refer to work for Aspens
• Recognition schemes, including 'Employee of the Month'