Finance Officer

About the role 

Resilient Lismore is a non-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting Lismore and its surrounding region in the recovery process following the 2022 natural disaster. Resilient Lismore provides essential services such as disaster preparedness, home repairs, recovery information assistance, referrals, homewares, furniture distribution, a tool library, and wellbeing support to the community.

Resilient Lismore is seeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced applicants for the position of Finance Officer, 21 hours per week. The Finance Officer will ensure that the financial obligations of Resilient Lismore are fulfilled through the provision of financial services to internal and external stakeholders 

All work is undertaken in accordance with Resilient Lismore's charity purpose, policies and procedures and relevant legislation. 

Salary and Conditions 

Classification is SCHADS Award, Level 5.1 

Selection Criteria 

ESSENTIAL 

• Minimum Diploma or Cert IV in an accounting discipline or at least 3 years hands on accounting experience with Incorporated Association Charity 
• Demonstrated high level proficiency with Xero including the payroll function and Excel. 
• The ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines independently 
• Demonstrated high level skills and experience in budget preparation and financial reporting 
• The ability to accurately prepare BAS, IAS, FBT and other reconciliations to required deadlines independently 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite 
• Understanding of WHS, EEO and ethical work practices. 
• Current Driver License 

DESIRABLE 

• Experience in working in the not-for-profit sector  
• Lived experience in Disaster Recovery  
• A strong interest in Community Resilience and Preparedness  

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Office-based environment with the ability to do some days from home and occasional travel for meetings  

STATEMENT OF DUTIES 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 

• Ensure consistent implementation of accounting procedures 
• Ensure sound management of accounting records, including ensuring security and file integrity 
• Maintain and update the reconciliation schedule for all balance sheet accounts 
• Prepare for Annual Audit, co-operate with Auditor and submit appropriate association reports 

Accounts Payable 

Maintain and update Suppliers’ records 

• Categorise, apply project and publish from DEXT to Xero 
• Record all transactions, including invoices, payment vouchers, cheques etc 
• Review general ledger coding of invoices 
• Reconciliation of payables with statements 
• Follow up account queries 

Accounts Receivable 

• Maintain and update Customers’ records 
• Record all transactions, including preparation of invoices, receipts processing 
• Review general ledger coding of invoices 
• Reconciliation of receivables 
• Follow up account queries and outstanding debtors 
• Ensure all monies or payments received are banked on a regular basis 

Bank Accounts 

• Maintain and update bank accounts 
• Maintain and manage adequate cashflow 
• Advise on investments 
• Reconciliation of bank accounts 
• Company credit cards 
• Acquittal of credit cards 
• Review expenses as per statements 
• Follow up on outstanding expenses 
• Account Reconciliation 

Asset Register 

• Maintain and update Asset Register (Excel) 
• Process monthly depreciation 
• Reconcile Asset Register balances to general ledger 

Month end process 

• Bank reconciliations  
• Process general journals 
• Process end of month adjustments 
• Reconcile all balance sheet and income accounts 
• Run initial reports to budget and check for unexplained variances 

Payroll 

• Maintain a high level knowledge of relevant employment awards and legislation 
• Process payroll in time for wages to be paid including leave taken and file STP report with ATO 
• Prepare PAYG for ATO return 
• Salary sacrifice arrangements – ensure the accuracy of salary sacrifice payment to third parties on behalf of staff and that they comply with policy and legislative requirements 
• Superannuation – ensure all superannuation liabilities are paid by the due date 
• Respond to staff queries 

Annual / Quarterly tasks as required: 

• GST reconciliation including checking of entries for correct GST allocations 
• Prepare BAS / IAS and FBT returns by their respective due dates 
• Prepare PAYG payment summaries 
• Prepare Workers Compensation annual statement 

Insurance: 

• Maintain all current insurance policies in consultation with Director of Operations or Executive Director 
• Claims management in consultation with Director of Operations or Executive Director 

Other 

• Liaise with suppliers, clients, auditors and other external financial institutions 
• Records management to ensure appropriate storage of relevant financial administrative and electronic files  
• Monitor and advise on financial anomalies 
• Prepare refunds due to clients 
• Oversee financial duties of other staff 
• Train finance relief staff 
• Train staff in financial procedures 
• Develop and give financial presentations to internal stakeholders as required 
• Undertake other duties appropriate to skills and experience as agreed with the Director of Operations or Executive Director 

Reporting 

• Prepare monthly financial reports for Board of Management including balance sheet, profit and loss, actual to budget, project budgets and explanations of reports 
• Prepare monthly detailed financial reports for Finance Sub Committee (FSC) 
• Prepare financial acquittals for one off grants as required  
• Prepare agenda for and facilitate monthly FSC meetings 
• Attend Board of Management meetings on request of the Director of Operations or Executive Director 
• Preparation of draft annual statutory accounts and funding acquittals 
• Assist with preparation and review of annual project and operational budgets 
• Assist with preparation of budgets for funding submissions 
• Review funding contracts and submissions 
• Support and advise the Director of Operations or Executive Director with financial and statutory information 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES 

• Develop and update the financial policies and procedures of the organisation  
• Assist in the development and updates of policies and procedures relating to employment terms and conditions 

Workers compensation 

• Maintain workers compensation insurance  
• Process workers compensation claims and reimbursements 
• Maintain Finance Officer operations manual 

Staffing 

• Prepare employment packs for new employees 
• Process Working with Children and Police Record checks as required 
• Maintain and update employee records 
• Ensure legislative requirements are met 

PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL PRACTICE 

• Participate in training and other activities that promote ongoing professional development 
• Maintain best practice in financial accounting and reporting 
• Respond in a respectful manner at all times to clients, co-workers and staff of other organisations and agencies. 
• Attend team meetings, participate in team decision making and contribute to the planning and review of procedures, policies and practices 
• Participate in performance appraisals annually or as determined by the Director of Operations or Executive Director 
• Follow the Code of Ethics and policies and procedures of the organisation 
• Reflect on and assess personal performance on the basis of the goals of the organisation 
• Uphold the good name and reputation of the organisation at all times 
• Participate in supervision, team meetings and staff planning days