3 minute read
My wild job
In this new regular feature, we’ll be taking you behind the scenes to meet some of the wonderful staff that work at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, each doing their part to help the Trust achieve its vision of a more sustainable future for wildlife and people.
Jill Branston – Finance Officer
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What’s your role at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust?
I am one of two finance officers. I deal mainly with the sales ledger, which means income coming into the organisation, and most of the banking functions. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is assisting with staff finance queries such as pension, expenses, reporting, payroll and invoicing. Detective work is actually a big part of the job, and something I really enjoy – sometimes people come to me asking about details of a payment made years ago!
What does an average day at the office look like?
When I arrive at the office, I start by looking at emails and answering any immediate queries. I then download bank statements from the previous day and input figures into various spreadsheets. I log all the income and send off invoices to request income. Each day is different, which makes it interesting.
What do you like best about your job?
I like the variety – you never know what each day will bring. I also love the people that I work with. I could do my job at any organisation, but doing it at the Trust makes it more rewarding, as I feel like I am making a difference. The organisation would find it difficult to manage without the accounts and finance team.
Charity finance is much more complex than commercial finance, because you have to track the different funding streams, and restricted funds have to be spent on specific projects and areas. This can be a challenge, but really interesting when you get into it!
How has the Trust changed over the years?
I’ve been working at the Trust for nine and a half years. Over that time, funding streams have changed. We have had to explore different financial avenues, so that we are less reliant on grants. We have had to rethink how we work due to changing regulations and new governmental/financial bodies. The Trust’s focus on wellbeing and education has also grown hugely. There are a whole range of community and wellbeing projects now that didn’t exist when I started.
How do you live sustainably?
I am a great believer in everyone doing their bit. If everyone did just a little bit, then as a whole we could achieve so much more. I do everything I can personally to live sustainably: I choose to walk most of the time; I wash things up before recycling them to avoid contamination; and I buy from charity shops.
I also go out into the countryside every day to walk the dog and get out in nature as much as I can, as it’s really good for mental health.
