Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Finance Officer - job share

ORGANISATION

Fife Historic Buildings Trust (FHBT)

LOCATION:

KINGHORN, FIFE & HOMEWORKING
The post is based in Fife at the FHBT office at Kinghorn Town Hall - with the opportunity for some flexible homeworking

SALARY:

32,000 FTE - pro rata 16-20 hours per week (job share)

STATUS:

Permanent

HOURS:

This job is available part time as a job share

RESPONSIBLE TO:

FHBT Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Control of FHBT financial systems and administration, incl. co-ordination of budget setting/monitoring, annual accounts, and project budgets/grant claims.

PROFESSIONAL

HNC/HND in Accounting or equivalent experience/qualification.

Professional qualification in CCAB member body preferred.

Main Functions

This is a

crucial FHBT post, to support the FHBT Manager via the co-ordination, administration and control of FHBT finances relating to all FHBT activities, projects and properties.

The post will have responsibility for:

working with the FHBT Manager and others to develop the FHBT budget provision of regular financial statements and quarterly forecasts keeping Trust Accounts during the year, and compiling year-end accounts/audit file annually supporting FHBT grant applications and claims the development, implementation and ongoing review of financial/administrative systems to ensure efficient and effective working practices.
The post is based at the FHBT office in Kinghorn, with some time at FHBT properties/projects across Fife, or to attend in person meeting/training, and some flexibility to work from home.

About FHBT

FHBT is a Building Preservation Trust, formed in 1997 to restore and find new uses for at risk historic buildings in Fife. Our Mission is to create viable futures for heritage buildings and their communities by inspiring and enabling visionary conservation projects across Fife.

The Trust works closely with Fife Council and with partner organisations and local communities. It is a company limited by guarantee (SC173262) and has charitable status (SC026043).

It has a strong track record in delivering heritage regeneration projects, helping to bring over 50m investment to

Fife's historic buildings since 1999.

Sensitive conservation of the historic environment is recognised as a powerful contributor to regeneration initiatives in Fife,

supporting social, economic and environmental renewal through restoring and bringing historic buildings back into use

.

We manage projects to conserve historic buildings at risk, ensuring that they have a renewed practical purpose, long term caring owners and a viable future.

In our education and engagement programme we share and foster conservation practices and skills, as well as helping communities to appreciate their local heritage.

We have a small portfolio of historic properties, which we actively maintain as workspaces and holiday lets

The Trust is also assisted in its work by the contributions of volunteers and the active role played by the FHBT Board of Trustees. Find out more at www.fifehistoricbuildings.org.uk.

As a small organisation, the Trust relies on the good will and initiative of its staff - forming a small and dedicated team that works together to provide mutual support. As well as their core duties, all members of the team play a role in dealing with any issues that can arise at the Trust's properties.
The job activities listed below are a guide to the core duties that this post will be asked to perform - other duties will always be agreed and appropriate training and / or support given.

Job Activities

We are recruiting a charity finance professional to work as a job share to co-ordinate the financial activities of FHBT. Sound financial control underpins all the great work we do, and this is an opportunity to bring your experience to join a welcoming and high achieving team, and play your part in our work for people and historic places in Fife.

1. Processing payments to and from FHBT - invoices, credit card payments, direct debits, online banking, etc.

2. Liaison with Fife Council Bureau Payroll team to ensure their smooth management of FHBT payroll.

3. Liaison with NEST and any other pension scheme to ensure appropriate employer/employee pension contributions made.

4. Day-to-day bookkeeping and reconciliations in XERO to trial balance level.

5. Preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns.

6. Management of FHBT insurance with support from FHBT's specialist broker.

7. Work with FHBT Administrator to advise on FHBT utility and service accounts - e.g. fuel, water, telecoms, service agreements, etc.

8. Regular monitoring of Trust finances and preparation of a regular financial statement on Trust activities for the FHBT Manager; plus quarterly updates/forecasts for the FHBT Board/Treasurer.

9. Working with FHBT Manager and colleagues to prepare and monitor FHBT's annual budget and longer-term 5-year financial plans, including capital budgets and cashflow projections.

10. Working with the FHBT Manager to monitor FHBT's investments and reserves.

11. Working with colleagues to support project budgets, grant applications and claims. This includes advising and assisting with project budgets and preparing detailed financial information for claims.

12. Compiling draft Trust annual accounts and preparing audit file - liaising with the FHBT Manager, Treasurer and Trust external accountant/auditors.

13. Ensuring annual accounts are submitted timeously to OSCR & Companies House, along with other updates required (e.g. trustee changes / annual returns).

14. Adhering to all appropriate financial regulations relating to FHBT activities.

15. Working with the FHBT Manager to implement, review and develop all FHBT financial systems to ensure efficient and effective working practices.

16. Working alongside the Holiday Letting & Marketing Officer and FHBT Manager to ensure the sound financial management of Trust holiday lets and business property.

17. Comply with FHBT's Health & Safety at Work Procedures and any relevant legislation, and to ensure that safe systems of work are used at all times.

18. Comply with FHBT's approved policies and procedures.

19. Carry out any other duties and responsibilities as may be required by the FHBT Manager.

Person Specification

We are especially looking for a candidate with experience in accountancy and charity finances. This is a varied role with a high level of personal accountability, offering the right candidate the opportunity to make a real contribution to the sound management of FHBT charitable finances, and ultimately to historic buildings and communities across Fife. If you feel you can offer some or all of the attributes listed here, we want to hear from you.

Essential

Experience of recommended accounting practice relating to public bodies and to charities as published by the regulators.

Experience of financial management, control and reporting for a small charity, or demonstrable equivalent experience of:

o establishing, maintaining and monitoring financial systems

o budget preparation, monitoring and control

o preparing accounts information, preferably for OSCR and/or Companies House

o preparing and presenting financial reports

o developing financial policies and procedures

HNC/HND in Accounting or equivalent experience/qualification.

Professional qualification in CCAB member body preferred.

Experience and strong understanding of preparing charity VAT returns/claims.

Experienced user of cloud accounting software - or ability to learn.

Working knowledge of online banking systems.

Excellent IT skills inc MS Excel, MS Word, video-conferencing, etc.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to ensure an effective job share arrangement.

Methodical worker with attention to detail.

Ability to work on own initiative.

Ability to work as part of a small team with a positive "can do" approach to provide a friendly and efficient service to internal and external contacts.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Desirable

Experience of working with Xero.

Experience of financial management of grant funding / grant claims.

Experience of the financial management of social enterprises, e.g. business planning.

Full driving licence and use of own vehicle.

An interest in the conservation of built heritage.

Appointment Details

Hours: Job Share:

16-20 hours per week - Thursday & Friday plus one other day Mon-Wed for handover with existing job share partner. Generally office hours 9am to 5pm.

Holidays:

33 days per annum inc 8 Public Holidays - allocated pro rata based on agreed hours (16-20 hours per week).

Pension:

Auto enrolment in the NEST pension scheme, with an employer contribution of 5%.

Probation:

The successful candidate will be asked to serve a probationary period to ensure there is a good f it between the organisat ion and the post holder. Subject to the outco me of a performance review, the appointment wi l l be confirmed.

How to apply

Please send

one document

including your CV, a short statement outlining the attributes, skills and experience you feel you could bring to this key role at FHBT. Please send to:

Lorraine Bell - FHBT Manager, lorraine@fifehistoricbuildings.org.uk

Deadline - 5pm on 6 January 2026

Please also let us know how you found out about this vacancy / where you saw it advertised.
We look forward to receiving your application.

Fife Historic Buildings Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of

Historic Environment Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Fife Council to fund this post.

Job Types: Permanent, Part-time

Pay: 32,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 16 - 20 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Flexitime Free parking On-site parking Sick pay Transport links Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Burntisland KY3 9TL