Who We Are
Human Appeal is a global non-profit humanitarian and development organisation. We deliver life-saving emergency assistance such as food, medical aid, and disaster relief. At the same time, we run sustainable, community-led programmes in healthcare, education, and livelihoods to build resilience and self-reliance. Our experienced local teams work in vulnerable, hard-to-reach areas. Guided by a vision of a just, caring, and sustainable world, our mission is to save lives, alleviate poverty, and empower communities in line with the core humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.
Position Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for an Accounts Receivables Lead position within the Finance department based at our office in Cheadle, Manchester. The Accounts Receivable Lead is responsible for leading the charity’s income processing and receivables function, ensuring that all incoming funds are recorded, allocated and reconciled accurately and in a timely manner. The role ensures robust financial controls, accurate donor and fund allocations, and excellent service to internal departments such as Fundraising, Programmes and Commercial teams.
The post holder will manage and develop the Income Processing team, maintain high data quality within the accounting and CRM systems, and ensure full compliance with financial procedures, regulatory requirements and donor restrictions.
Main Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, supervise and develop the income processing team, providing coaching, training and performance management.
- Set clear team objectives and KPIs around timeliness, accuracy and data quality.
- Promote a customer-focused culture that supports Fundraising, Programmes and other stakeholders.
- Oversee recruitment, induction and ongoing development of team members.
Income Processing, Allocation & Receivables
- Oversee the accurate recording and coding of all income streams including:
- Donations (one‑off and regular giving)
- Grants and contracts
- Legacies
- Trading and commercial income
- Event income
- Online fundraising platforms
- Ensure correct allocation of income to:
- Restricted and unrestricted funds
- Projects, cost centres and donor codes
- Ensure reconciliations between CRM/fundraising systems and the finance ledger are completed accurately and on schedule.
- Oversee invoicing and credit control processes where receivables are applicable.
Governance, Controls & Compliance
- Maintain and strengthen financial controls across income and receivables functions.
- Ensure compliance with charity financial policies, audit requirements and regulatory standards (including Charity Commission and HMRC guidance).
- Ensure robust processes exist for managing restricted income, donor terms and grant conditions.
- Prepare audit schedules and liaise with auditors on income-related queries.
Reconciliations & Reporting
- Ensure timely and accurate reconciliations of:
- Bank accounts
- Online fundraising platforms (e.g., JustGiving, Enthuse, PayPal, Stripe)
- Regular giving and direct debits
- CRM-to-ledger interfaces
- Provide the Finance Operations Manager and Fundraising colleagues with regular reports and insights on income trends, fund balances, and debtor positions.
- Identify discrepancies proactively and resolve issues promptly.
Systems, Processes & Improvement
- Maintain high data quality in finance systems and fundraising/CRM platforms.
- Work closely with IT/Fundraising to manage integrations and automated downloads.
- Continually review processes to ensure efficiency, accuracy and strong controls.
- Support implementation of new systems, digital tools or process automation.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong working relationships with Fundraising, Programmes, Commercial and external stakeholders (donors, grant funders, platform providers).
- Provide guidance to colleagues on correct coding, donor restrictions and income processes.
Support teams to ensure income‑related information is accurate and compliant
NB: Employee duties are not limited only to the above-mentioned responsibilities; they may perform other duties as assigned
Candidate essential criteria
- Strong understanding of income allocation, receivables, and fund structures
- Good knowledge of financial controls and governance requirements
- Strong Excel skills
- Proficiency in accounting systems (e.g., Sage Intacct, Dynamics 365, SAP, SUN)
- Ability to interpret donor restrictions and apply correct coding
- Experience of managing income processing, receivables or similar roles in a charity or complex organisation.
- Strong understanding of restricted/unrestricted funds.
- Experience managing staff and delivering performance improvements.
- Excellent knowledge of financial controls, reconciliations and audit requirements.
- Proficiency with accounting systems and Excel.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines with high accuracy.
Candidate desirable criteria
- Part‑qualified or fully qualified CCAB accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)
- Training in data management, process improvement, or leadership
- Experience managing restricted and unrestricted donor income
- Experience using fundraising/CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, ThankQ)
- Experience in financial process improvement or digital automation projects
- Knowledge of charity SORP
- Understanding of grant funding compliance
- Familiarity with payment platforms and online fundraising integrations (e.g., Stripe, JustGiving, PayPal)
- Experience with fundraising/CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, and ThankQ).
- Knowledge of charity SORP and grant compliance.
- Experience in systems improvements and data automation.
How to apply
We are keen to appoint the right person for this position as soon as possible and will be considering applications as they are received. To maximise your opportunity, please submit your CV by clicking the link provided to apply. We look forward to receiving your application and hearing from you.
If you have any questions about the position, please do contact Human Appeal on [email protected]
Please note that we will only be contacting the shortlisted candidates. Applying candidates must have the legal authorisation or right to work in the designated work location/duty station.
Disclaimer: Human Appeal is committed to diversity, social inclusion, and gender equality/balance, and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. The organisation maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH), with all staff required to comply with Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEA/SH) standards and safe recruitment procedures.
