Vacancy- Accountant

The Asfari Foundation was established in 2006 by Syrian British businessman Ayman Asfari and his wife, Sawsan Asfari. Since then, the Foundation has invested over £60 million in the Levant region and the UK, to primarily strengthen the sustainability of a resilient civil society infrastructure and empower youth through education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. As a philanthropic family foundation, we believe we are leading the way in this regard. More information can be found on our website www.asfarifoundation.org.uk   

The Foundation has made considerable progress in recent years and its work has expanded in terms of spending, partners and complexity. We also work in a fast changing, increasingly complex context. We are keen to employ an experienced Accountant to ensure the Foundation manages its assets in such a way that it achieves its objectives, delivers best results for partners and beneficiaries, and is transparent and compliant. In particular, to:  

• Develop and implement plans to ensure the Foundation’s income and expenditure are managed to best effect using sound controls and systems 

• Identify and manage risk 

• Support the Programmes Team 

• Other duties as may from time to time be required 

JOB DESCRIPTION  

Job Title: Accountant  

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer   

Contract: Permanent position after successful completion of a six-month probationary period  

Hours: Part-time position comprising 24 hours per week, featuring a hybrid work arrangement with one required day in-office. 

Location: The Asfari Foundation office, Unit A, 1-3 Canfield Place, London NW6 3BT  

Salary and benefits Competitive (depending on experience and qualifications)  

Annual leave entitlement: 25 days per year, pro-rata, growing to 28 days in year 4  

Key duties and responsibilities: 

Financial management  

• Develop and implement multi-year plans and budgets in collaboration with the CEO 

• Ensure optimal management of the Foundation’s finance from bookkeeping to audit, including operation of the Foundation’s QuickBooks Online accounting system 

• Manage cash and monitor cash flow, commitments and currency positions 

• Develop sound, robust, efficient and transparent controls, integrated compliance and assurance processes and systems to safeguard and optimise use of all resources and assets 

• Ensure accurate, timely and up-to-date financial management reports and analysis to the Trustees, the CEO and the team, enabling them to make effective decisions. 

• Conduct monthly closing and reconciliations. 

• Monitor the Foundation’s investment portfolio performance, develop strategies and policies, and identify new opportunities in coordination with the Investment Committee 

• Effectively manage external relationships with banks, investment managers, accounting firms, and other service providers 

• Working closely with the external auditors, manage the timely completion of the annual report and accounts in accordance with applicable standards, including the charities SORP 

• Manage outsourced payroll and pensions and other benefits. 

Risk management  

• Identify, monitor and manage financial and operational risks with an effective control framework and appropriate policies.  

Support to the Programmes Team  

• Coach and train the Programmes Team to help them achieve effective financial management. 

• Support the Programmes Team with grant making, performing the financial due diligence of prospective grantees, ensuring payments are made in accordance with defined criteria, and checking expenditure of existing partners. 

• Support foundation partners in improving their financial procedures to ensure transparency. 

• Oversee the external audit process for the foundation partners. 

Other 

• Attend Team, Board and Committee meetings throughout the year. 

• Prepare management and update financial reports. 

Person Specification: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or financial management. 

• ACCA, ACA, or CIMA Accountant Qualification, as a minimum. 

• ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting, preferred but not essential. 

• Familiarity with accounting software such as QuickBooks.  

• Three to five years past experience in similar position preferable in charity sector. 

• Proficiency in IT and Microsoft applications 

• Analytical ability 

• A methodical approach and problem-solving skills 

• High level of numeracy 

• Self-motivation 

• Integrity 

• Ability to reflect on one's own work as well as the wider consequences of financial decisions 

• Business acumen and interest 

• Organisational skills and ability to manage deadlines. 

• Teamworking ability 

• Communication and interpersonal skills 

Application process  

If you are interested in applying, please submit a CV and a covering letter to applications@asfarifoundation.org.uk by midday on Friday 19 April 2024. 

This is a UK-based position, so all applicants should have the right to work in the UK, and the organization won’t provide sponsorship Visa. 

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