Vacancies

join the Minsteracres Team

Minsteracres Retreat Centre is a Christian place of prayer with a resident community of Roman Catholic Passionist priests and lay people.

We welcome people who share our values and we invite you to enjoy our hospitality, food and accommodation. Minsteracres is set in a beautiful 110 acre estate in the North East of England. Within our historic buildings and estate we have spaces for prayer and rooms to hire for retreats and events.

The charity has three charitable objectives, which are a continuing expression of the Passionist charism (ethos) to reach out to those on the margins of Church or society:

Operate the residential retreat centre, which includes a retreat programme prepared and delivered by the Rector and volunteer retreat team as well as mainly Christian groups arranging their own retreat programmes;
Provide an Outreach programme which brings groups of refugees and asylum seekers, carer groups and others on the margins to Minsteracres for respite days or stays. The Outreach Co-ordinator is supported by a team of volunteers in delivering the programme for the service users.
The conservation of the house (Grade II listed) and extensive grounds.

Vacancies

Current Available Positions

Finance Officer

Minsteracres Retreat Centre
Near Consett, County Durham

About the role

Part-time, permanent – 24 hours per week
Working pattern: 3 days out of 5 (Monday to Friday)
Hours worked between 08:30 and 17:30, to be agreed

We are looking for a Finance Officer to join our team at Minsteracres Retreat Centre, set in the Northumberland countryside.

Minsteracres Retreat Centre is a peaceful place offering space for rest, reflection, and time away from the pace of everyday life. It is a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and beliefs. The centre is shaped by values of welcome, respect, hospitality, simplicity, and community, with a focus on creating a calm and supportive place where people can feel at ease and take time to recharge.

This is a key role within a small organisation, responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and supporting the smooth running of all finance processes. You will manage day-to-day finance administration, including payroll, credit control, reconciliations, and financial reporting. Working independently as the finance lead, you will use Xero to ensure all records are accurate, timely, and well maintained.

We offer a competitive salary and free parking.

Key responsibilities

Maintaining accurate financial records, including invoices, receipts, and payments
Supporting budget setting and ongoing financial monitoring
Managing direct debit schedules and income collection
Preparing financial reports for management and committee meetings
Completing bank reconciliations
Assisting with payroll processing
Preparing information for audit purposes
Processing invoices via CAF Bank using Dext
Monitoring bank accounts and petty cash
Producing monthly management accounts
Supporting reporting on fundraising and grant income

About you

You will have at least 2 years’ experience in a finance or accountancy role and be confident working in a standalone position.

You will be organised, accurate, and able to manage a varied workload and deadlines.

Experience with Xero (or similar accounting software) is essential. Experience in a similar role within the charity or voluntary sector would be an advantage.

Requirements

Essential:

Strong numeracy and IT skills (MS Office)
Good communication skills
Strong organisation and attention to detail
Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
AAT qualification
Minimum 2 years’ finance/accountancy experience
Access to transport (rural location)

Desirable:

Experience with Xero
Experience with Stripe or similar systems
Experience in the voluntary/charity sector

Additional information

Enhanced DBS check required
Company pension
Free parking available
No visa sponsorship available

How to apply

Please complete the relevant application form on the company website

Online Application Form

Position applied for:

Personal Information:

Address

Name

Daytime Telephone No.

Evening Telephone No.

National Insurance No.

Do you have the right to work in the UK and can provide appropriate evidence of this in accordance with current Home Office guidelines?

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires a DBS check. If shortlisted for an interview, you will be asked to disclose any spent or unspent cautions and convictions during the application process.

Work Experience : Please give full details of your record of employment [relevant to this post], starting with your most current role.

Employment History :1

Date from / Date to

Name & Address of Employer

Position Held

Brief Description of Duties

Reason for Leaving

Employment History :2

Date from / Date to

Name & Address of Employer

Position Held

Brief Description of Duties

Reason for Leaving

Employment History :3

Date from / Date to

Name & Address of Employer

Position Held

Brief Description of Duties

Reason for Leaving

Qualifications

Subject

Level

Grade

Subject

Level

Grade

Subject

Level

Grade

Subject

Level

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Level

Grade

Please give details of any training courses you have undertaken which are relevant to the position you are applying for:

Core Competency Checklist

Please illustrate below, using practical examples based on your previous experience, how well you meet the core competencies required for this vacancy.

Respect

Integrity

Teamwork

Commitment

Leadership

Embracing change

Personal Statement

Please explain why you feel qualified for this position and why you would like to work for Minsteracres Retreat Centre. Please refer to Job Description and Person Specification:

Referee 1

Please supply details of two referees (These should include your current/most recent employer together with one other previous employer or school/college reference. We will not contact your referees until a conditional offer is made).

Name:

Relationship to you:

Address:

Contact Tel. Number:

E-mail address:

Referee 2

Name:

Relationship to you:

Address:

Contact Tel. Number:

E-mail address:

Upload CV

I declare the information in my application is true and complete. I understand that any wilful misstatement or omission renders me liable to dismissal if engaged. I also understand that appointment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references, Immigration, Asylum and Nationality document checks. I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, there are no reasons, which would prevent me from undertaking the duties of this post.

Yes