Finance Officer

Reports to: Head of Finance

Direct reports: N/A

Start date: ASAP

Term: Full time/permanent

Based in: London (Kings Cross)

Working arrangements: Hybrid

Salary: £30 - 35k per annum, dependent on experience, plus 5% pension contribution, and private health insurance

Annual leave: Initially 25 days per annum, plus UK public holidays

Application deadline: Friday 9th September

Job description 

DMI is looking for a Finance Officer to join our small, friendly, and dynamic London team. Working with the Head of Finance and the finance team in the UK, and liaising with relevant staff in DMI’s international offices, the successful candidate will play an important part in ensuring that DMI’s finances are managed effectively and in line with internal policies and statutory requirements.

This is an ideal position for a finance professional with previous experience in a similar finance role. Working as part of the head office staff for a company that operates internationally, you will gain broad experience of how the finance function works in the international development sector.

More specifically, the Finance Officer role will include the following responsibilities: 

1. Ensuring the complete and accurate bookkeeping of all DMI’s sales and purchase transactions and updating the accounting software in a timely manner. This includes accounts payables, accounts receivables, cash accounts, and payroll, with all transactions documented appropriately and relevant accounts reconciled each month.
2. Setting up UK and international payment runs, ensuring every invoice meets procurement rules, has been authorised in line with the delegated financial authority and agrees with contractual stipulations. This involves recording all payments and their due diligence in MS Excel and then processing the payments on the banking portal.
3. Receiving, reviewing, and processing employee and directors’ staff expenses reimbursement forms in line with DMI’s Expenses Policy.
4. Managing DMI’s payroll process, including liaising with the outsourced payroll company in the UK, and ensuring that DMI’s international offices process payroll in a timely and accurate manner.
5. Assisting with DMI’s banking operations, including producing regular treasury reports, managing the UK petty cash, setting up bank accounts, updating mandates/signatories and reconciling accounts.
6. Ensuring that DMI complies with all relevant financial legislation in the UK and any relevant legislation in the countries where DMI operates. This includes reviewing VAT returns prepared by the Finance Assistant and preparing other statutory returns such as Companies House reports and HMRC returns.
7. Supporting the Head of Finance and the Finance Manager in the consolidation of the yearly accounts and the completion of the audit.
8. Preparing funder/donor financial reports, ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
9. Updating all relevant DMI operational trackers with information on sales and purchases to inform various stakeholders within the business
10. Leading on the improvement of existing processes and the creation of new processes, particularly around accounts payable and Payroll. This includes the enhancement and simplification of MS Excel spreadsheets.
11. Acting as a point of contact for DMI staff in UK and international offices for finance queries and providing financial support to team members, ensuring that the policies and procedures of DMI are upheld.
12. Other duties as required by DMI.

Person specification 

Required knowledge, skills and experience 

1. Minimum of 5 years experience in a similar finance role.
2. Excellent IT skills with experience of operating financial management systems (DMI uses QuickBooks). Competent to advanced level in Microsoft Excel.
3. Knowledge of UK taxation including payroll taxes, VAT and corporation tax.
4. Understanding of standard business procedures around procurement and other financial controls.
5. Strong intellectual ability, with the capacity to flexibly manage multiple tasks/priorities.
6. Willingness and ability to take the initiative not only in identifying problems but also in suggesting and implementing solutions.
7. An eye for detail and a concern for accuracy, together with the ability to keep sight of the broader picture.
8. Excellent communication and people skills
9. Permission to live and work in the UK.

Desirable knowledge, skills and experience 

1. Language ability in French or Portuguese, both written and spoken.
2. Experience of working with geographically displaced colleagues (ideally overseas).
3. Experience of working in the NGO/international development sector and ensuring compliance with international donors’ requirements.

DMI is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. 

DMI operates a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and is committed to the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable individuals. Where appropriate, successful candidates will undergo background and reference checks. All DMI employees will be required to self-declare prior issues of sexual or other misconduct, termination of past employment, criminal records, and concerns registered with government authorities regarding contact with children.