Communications

• Prepare and produce the front page of the weekly newsletter/bulletin, allocating Mass intentions, notices and noticeboards.
• Frequent communication with Parish Priest and parish groups as necessary

Finance & support

• Assist with collections, counting, Gift Aid and banking paperwork,
• Support the Parish Finance Committee serving as secretary, providing agendas and minutes and drawing up income / expenditure overview as required.

Bookkeeping & Compliance

• Maintain day-to-day financial records, including the cash book, purchase ledger and petty cash.
• Record all income (e.g. collections, donations, Gift Aid, hall hire, fees) and expenditure.
• Process supplier invoices and payments and reconcile bank and credit card statements regularly.
• Ensure compliance with Archdiocesan financial procedures, charity requirements and HMRC rules.

Gift Aid & compliance

• Administer the Gift Aid scheme, maintaining records and preparing claims.
• Prepare financial reports for the Parish Priest and Finance Committee.
• Assist with budgets, year-end accounts and returns to the Archdiocese, and maintain records for audit.
• Ensure compliance with Archdiocesan financial regulations, charity law and HMRC requirements.

Cash & payroll

• Support the secure counting, recording and banking of collections and cash, in line with policy.
• Administer payroll for parish staff, or liaise with the Archdiocese’s central payroll, as applicable, and administer the remuneration of the Parish Priest.

Safeguarding

• Comply with the Archdiocese’s safeguarding policies and the national Catholic safeguarding standards, work with the Parish Safeguarding Representative, and report any concern immediately. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check at the appropriate level.

General

• Uphold the ethos and values of the Catholic Church; maintain strict confidentiality and comply with data protection; take reasonable care of health and safety; and be willing to undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role.

Person specification

Criteria

Essential

Qualifications & training

• Good standard of general education, including English and mathematics.
• A business administration or secretarial qualification.

Experience

• Proven administrative / secretarial and bookkeeping experience.
• Minute-taking and supporting meetings.
• Website or social media administration.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel) and in managing IT equipment in general.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Well organised and accurate; able to prioritise and work on own initiative.
• Knowledge of parish life and the structures, liturgies and ceremonies of the Catholic Church.
• Knowledge of Gift Aid, charity finance and reporting.

Personal qualities & ethos

• Integrity, discretion, tact and confidentiality; a warm, welcoming manner in person and on phone.
• Sympathetic to, and willing to work within, the ethos and values of the Catholic Church.
• Willingness to learn and adopt new IT programmes and procedures

Eligibility to work

You must have the right to work in the UK. The Archdiocese is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role, and applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed and amended, in consultation with the postholder, to reflect the needs of the parish and the Archdiocese.