Finance Lead - Volunteer

You’ll ideally have

• Strong finance or accounting experience, ideally gained in a role with responsibility for financial reporting, budgeting or forecasting.
• Confidence interpreting financial information and providing clear, practical advice to others.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate records.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage your own workload.
• Confidence using spreadsheets, accounting software and other digital systems.
• The ability to communicate financial information clearly to people who may not have a finance background.
• A collaborative approach and confidence working with Trustees, senior volunteers and colleagues across the organisation.
• High levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism.
• A proactive mindset and willingness to identify opportunities to improve financial processes and ways of working.

Experience within a charity, voluntary or not-for-profit organisation would be beneficial, particularly an understanding of areas such as restricted funds, donations, grants or charity reporting, but this is not essential.

A professional accounting or finance qualification would also be advantageous, although we’re equally interested in hearing from people with strong relevant experience.

As BLSAR is entirely volunteer-led, it’s important that you’re comfortable working independently, taking ownership of your area and collaborating with people who are giving their time alongside other work and personal commitments.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is reliable, approachable and passionate about using their professional skills to make a difference.

Hybrid

What will you be doing?

As our Finance Lead, you’ll take the lead on the day-to-day financial management of Berkshire Lowland Search & Rescue (BLSAR), helping us manage our resources responsibly and plan effectively for the future.

Working closely with our Trustees, Leadership Team and wider Business Support team, you’ll provide clear and accurate financial information to support decision-making across the charity.

Your key responsibilities will include

• Overseeing BLSAR’s financial records and ensuring they remain accurate and up to date.
• Preparing regular financial reports for Trustees and the Leadership Team, providing a clear picture of our financial position.
• Supporting the development and management of annual budgets and financial forecasts.
• Monitoring income, expenditure and cash flow, highlighting any emerging risks or areas requiring attention.
• Maintaining appropriate financial processes and controls to ensure funds are managed responsibly.
• Supporting the preparation of annual accounts and relevant charity financial reporting.
• Liaising with external accountants, advisers or other financial contacts where required.
• Working with our fundraising team to provide financial information for funding applications, grants and fundraising initiatives.
• Ensuring donations, grants and restricted funds are appropriately recorded and monitored.
• Providing financial insight and advice to help the team make informed decisions about expenditure and future priorities.
• Identifying opportunities to improve or simplify our financial processes and reporting.

BLSAR is run by volunteers, so this role is about more than producing reports. We’re looking for someone who can become a trusted financial adviser to the organisation, explaining financial information clearly and helping colleagues make sound, sustainable decisions.

You won’t be expected to do everything alone. You’ll work collaboratively with other members of BLSAR, with support from the Trustees and Leadership Team.

Ultimately, your contribution will help ensure that BLSAR remains financially sustainable and that our volunteers have the training, equipment, vehicles and resources they need to respond when vulnerable people go missing.