Accountant – Charity Assessment & Financial Analysis

Accountant – Charity Assessment & Financial Analysis Location: Remote (Flexible) Job Type: Part-time / Contract About Zakah Advisor (formerly MuslimGive) Zakah Advisor is the first Islamic charity assessment platform dedicated to helping donors make informed giving decisions. We independently assess charities using a comprehensive framework covering charity legitimacy, financial accountability, zakat policy transparency, governance and leadership. Our mission is to empower the Ummah with the clarity and transparency needed to fulfill the third pillar of Islam with absolute confidence. Through our rigorous charity rating system and comprehensive educational portal, we ensure every Zakah contribution is guided by knowledge and distributed with the highest standards of integrity. We are looking for an experienced accountant with a strong understanding of the charity and non-profit sector to play a key role in assessing charities' financial health, accountability, and transparency. Role Overview This is not a traditional accounting role. As part of our Charity Assessment Team, you will analyse charity financial information as part of an independent assessment process. You will review annual reports, financial statements, and supporting documentation to evaluate how charities manage and report their finances. Beyond interpreting financial information, you will provide meaningful analysis and evidence-based insights that contribute to our charity ratings and help donors better understand how charities operate. You will be virtually meeting with charities to discuss assessment findings, explain financial ratings, and provide constructive, evidence-based feedback. Key Responsibilities Review and analyse charity annual reports and financial statements. Assess charities against Zakah Advisor’s financial assessment framework. Evaluate financial accountability, transparency, sustainability, and stewardship of charitable funds. Interpret financial data to identify strengths, weaknesses, trends, risks, and potential concerns. Review and assess: Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) or equivalent income statement Balance Sheets / Statements of Financial Position Cash Flow Statements Notes to the Financial Statements Reserves policies Income diversification Expenditure allocation Restricted and unrestricted funds Fund accounting practices Assess whether financial disclosures meet recognised standards of transparency and good governance. Identify unusual transactions, financial risks, inconsistencies, or areas requiring further clarification. Prepare clear, concise written commentary to support assessment findings. Work collaboratively with the wider assessment team to ensure consistency and objectivity across charity ratings. Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of Zakah Advisor’s financial assessment methodology. Essential Skills & Experience Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CIPFA, or equivalent), or qualified through significant relevant experience. Experience working within the charity or non-profit sector. Strong understanding of charity accounting principles, fund accounting, and non-profit financial reporting. Proven ability to interpret charity financial statements and annual reports. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Ability to identify meaningful financial insights rather than simply extracting figures. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts clearly to non-financial audiences. High attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and make balanced, evidence-based assessments. Desirable Experience assessing charities or non-profit organisations in one or more of the following jurisdictions: United Kingdom (Charity Commission for England and Wales, OSCR, or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland) United States (IRS-recognised 501(c)(3) organisations and non-profit financial reporting) Canada (Registered charities regulated by the Canada Revenue Agency) Knowledge of charity accounting standards and reporting frameworks across the UK, US, and/or Canada. Familiarity with charity regulatory filings, annual returns, and governance requirements. Experience in audit, assurance, financial compliance, or charity governance. Understanding of key financial ratios and performance indicators used to assess financial health, sustainability, efficiency, and accountability. Experience producing concise written reports and financial assessments. An interest in philanthropy, charitable accountability, and improving donor confidence. Familiarity with Islamic charities, Zakat, Sadaqah, and waqf structures. What We're Looking For We're looking for someone who is naturally inquisitive and enjoys analysing information beyond the numbers. Rather than simply recording financial data, you'll ask questions such as: Are the charity's finances sustainable? Are charitable funds being managed responsibly? Is spending aligned with the charity's stated objectives? Are there any financial risks or concerns donors should be aware of? Does the charity demonstrate good financial governance and accountability? Are the charity's financial disclosures sufficiently transparent? You should be comfortable making objective, evidence-based assessments and communicating your findings in a clear, balanced, and impartial manner. Sample Tasks As part of this role, you may be asked to: Analyse a charity's financial statement and complete a financial assessment scorecard. Review expenditure trends over several years and identify significant changes. Assess whether a charity's reserves policy is appropriate and well-managed. Evaluate the proportion of spending allocated to charitable activities versus administration and fundraising. Review restricted and unrestricted funds and comment on their management. Identify financial strengths, risks, and areas for improvement. Write a concise financial summary for publication on a charity profile. Why Join Zakah Advisor? By joining Zakah Advisor, you'll play an important role in improving transparency and accountability within the Islamic charitable sector. Your work will directly contribute to helping donors make informed decisions and encouraging charities to adopt best practices in financial stewardship and governance. This is an opportunity to be part of a pioneering platform that is helping shape the future of informed charitable giving.