Finance Assistant
Employment status: Permanent; Part-time
Hours of work: 28 hours per week
Remuneration: £21,200–£22,800 per annum (£26,500–£28,500 FTE)
Purpose of the role:
The aim of the Finance Department is to ensure the Cathedral is an effective and efficient steward of its financial resources. It achieves this by developing and maintaining reliable accounting systems, processes, and controls, while providing other departments with relevant, accurate and timely financial information to support informed decision-making.
The key purpose of the Finance Assistant role is to support the efficient operation of the Finance Department through the accurate and timely processing, reconciliation and reporting of financial information for the Cathedral and its trading subsidiary.
Key responsibilities:
The role requires a high level of attention to detail, organisational ability, and the capacity to work collaboratively with colleagues across departments. Additional tasks may be assigned as necessary to ensure the continued efficiency of the Finance function.
General responsibilities
- Answer telephone and email enquiries promptly, responding professionally and directing queries as appropriate.
- Act as a key point of contact for internal and external enquiries, providing accurate and timely information and maintaining positive working relationships.
- Provide support and cover across the Finance team as required, ensuring continuity of service during periods of absence.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date procedure notes and system documentation, ensuring consistency, compliance, and knowledge sharing across the finance function.
- Support the effective use, continuous improvement, and implementation of finance and digital systems, driving efficiency and process enhancement.
Cash counting
- Coordinate the weekly cash collection, counting and banking process, overseeing, and supporting volunteers who assist with cash counts and ensuring compliance with established procedures and controls.
- Manage petty cash, change floats, and cash reconciliations, maintaining accurate records and resolving discrepancies promptly.
- Provide cover for the cashing up, reconciliation and banking of daily income for the Welcome Desk, Café and Shop.
Income Management
- Accurately process income receipts, banking transactions and financial records into the accounting system.
- Raise and manage sales invoices, supporting the timely collection of outstanding income.
- Reconcile income received through ticketing, retail, catering and other income streams, investigating and resolving discrepancies as required.
- Complete bank and control account reconciliations to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
- Prepare and submit Gift Aid claims to HMRC, ensuring compliance and maintaining accurate supporting records.
- Prepare and reconcile income disbursements to third parties, ensuring timely communication and payment of funds.
- Produce regular income reports and work collaboratively with income-generating departments to support effective financial management and continuous improvement.
Expenditure (trading subsidiary only)
- Accurately process expenditure transactions and maintain associated financial records within the accounting system.
- Support the purchase ledger process, ensuring supplier invoices are correctly coded, appropriately approved and processed in accordance with financial procedures, budgets, and VAT requirements.
- Maintain supplier records and resolve invoice and supplier account queries in a timely manner.
- Prepare payment runs and process payments in accordance with agreed schedules and financial controls.
- Reconcile supplier statements, credit card transactions and other expenditure-related accounts, investigating and resolving discrepancies as required.
Period-end
- Support the period-end close process through the timely completion of reconciliations, journals and supporting schedules.
- Assist with the preparation of financial information required for management reporting including accruals and prepayments.
Person Specification:
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade 4/C & above, including English & Mathematics.
- Proven experience of working in a similar role.
Desirable
- An understanding of the structures and governance of the Church of England.
- Studying towards, or qualified in, AAT (Level 2 or above) or an equivalent accounting qualification.
- Experience of working within a charity, not-for-profit or ecclesiastical organisation.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Strong numeracy skills and financial awareness.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel.
- Able to organise and prioritise workload effectively.
- Proactive and solution focused.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Xero accounting software.
- Knowledge of Spektrix or similar ticketing and CRM systems.
- Knowledge of EPOS systems.
Work-related Personal Qualities
Essential
- Positive, enthusiastic, and proactive, with a can-do attitude.
- Able to work in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Church of England and the Cathedral’s values and code of conduct.
- Well organised and adaptable, able to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Accurate and detail-oriented, with the ability to work efficiently under pressure.
- Self-motivated and accountable, taking ownership of tasks and seeing them through to completion.
- Supportive and collaborative, building effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Committed to continuous improvement and delivering high standards of service.
Desirable
- An interest in the charity sector and charity accounting.
Employment Status: Permanent
Hours of work: Part-time, 28 hours per week
Remuneration: Salary range: £21,200–£22,800 per annum (£26,500–£28,500 FTE)
Discount: A discount of 10% is available from the Cathedral Shop and The Loft Café.
Parking: Limited parking is available in the Cathedral car park. Cars are parked at the risk of the owner.
Pension: Defined Contribution Scheme. Contributions as % of salary:
Age Employee Employer
<50 3% 5%
50–55 4% 8%
>55 5% 10%
Expenses: All reasonable working expenses will be met in line with Cathedral policy.
Holiday: 6.8 weeks per annum inclusive of bank holidays. The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Annual leave is authorised by the Finance Manager.
Location: Wells Cathedral Offices, 1st & 2nd Floors, 16 Market Place, Wells, BA5 2RB.
Closing Date: Thursday 10 September 2026, 9am
A completed Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form should be returned to the Human Resources Department by email to: [email protected].
Shortlisting Date: Thursday 10 September 2026
To ensure the fairness of the selection process, shortlisting will be based upon the information which you provide in your application and assumptions will not be made about your experience or skills.
We will look for demonstrable evidence that you meet the criteria set out in the person specification. Information provided on the application form will be viewed by HR, the recruiting manager, and interview panel. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the shortlisting process.
Interview Date: Thursday 17 September 2026
The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of pre employment checks, including references and a satisfactory basic DBS check.
Pay: £21,200.00-£22,800.00 per year
Work Location: In person
