Head of Finance
Head of Finance – London E1
£45,000 pro rata (28 hours per week – salary equates to c£33.5K)
Hybrid working available.
Fantastic opportunity for experienced finance professional who is either part qualified or fully qualified to work for this amazing charity. You will work as part of the senior management team and play a crucial role in the development of the charity, being involved in overseeing all financial matters for the charity including management accounts and analysis, reporting to the CEO and board.
Daily duties include:
- Overall responsibility for devising, managing and reviewing financial policies, procedures, standards, systems and processes to guide the charity’s financial decision-making.
- Manage payroll and pension functions, owning the relationship with our payroll provider and ensuring the necessary payments and returns are made to HMRC within the timescales required.
- Prepare fully for the annual audit including preparation of the annual accounts.
- Complete regular reconciliations for our bank accounts and prepaid cards.
- Liaise with our payroll provider to ensure the year-end payroll is completed and the necessary returns issued to staff and HMRC.
- Ensure creditor and debtor reports at month end are reconciled and that creditors are paid accurately and within their credit terms.
- Create and maintain all processes and systems to ensure the smooth running of the finance function.
- Assist the Development Manager and CEO in the preparation of fundraising applications.
- Work closely with the CEO to automate and digitise appropriate finance processes.
- Ensure policies, procedures, systems and documentation are used professionally and consistently and that no action is taken/omitted that will jeopardise the charity’s good name and reputation; ensure all files and documentation, such as contact information, meetings, agreements, funding information and financial information is accurately maintained and updated.
- Be responsible for keeping up-to-date and accurate records of financial transactions (currently on Xero) and overseeing the work of the finance officer.
- Scrutinise organisational expenditure, ensuring compliance with financial policies and recommending improvements in procurement and expenditure control to ensure value for money.
- Ensure legal and regulatory compliance for the charity on all financial matters.
- Be responsible for the prepaid card system (currently Soldo).
- Provide senior-level financial management support to the CEO and Treasurer and contribute to the management of all our activities.
- Produce finance reports for the Board of Trustees including cashflows, budget updates and finance-related issues.
- Liaise with suppliers and creditors to maintain relationships as part of cash flow management.
- Liaise (by email, phone and in person) with funders and commissioners regarding the financial performance of projects.
- Seek to ensure consistent standards are developed and maintained across the organisation, duplication of effort is avoided and opportunities for shared learning across the charity are optimised by collaborating with fellow managers.
- Work with the CEO to proactively seek out synergies across projects and the charity’s wider work, to foster shared understanding, and creative opportunities and contribute to ongoing strategic development.
- Keep abreast of relevant finance matters including changes to legislation and accounting practices such as regulatory frameworks (i.e. SORP).
- Develop awareness of current/potential impacts on financial matters in the charity sector and communicate these promptly.
- Create and present forecasts, communicating these to staff and trustees as required, in liaison with the CEO and senior managers and provide reliable, regular and relevant information to assist management in financial control, forecasting, budgeting and planning.
- Manage the part-time Finance Officer and any additional finance staff or volunteers enabling all to mature and grow in line with the charity’s values.
- Support fellow managers in budget management, record keeping, expenditure control and compliance with financial policies and procedures.
- Provide support and training to staff (and if required, trustees and volunteers) in understanding financial information and data.
- Take part and contribute to team meetings.
- Encourage the flow of communication within and across projects to promote efficiency, and effectiveness and optimise the coordination of effort.
- Provide information and advice for the finance committee.
- Fulfil any other ad hoc duties reasonably required by the CEO.
- Inform and influence strategic development and cross-team working, collate issues emerging and represent concerns in agreed forums.
- Liaise with the Treasurer before board meetings to ensure board financial reports are clear and accurate.
- Advise the CEO and Board of Trustees on financial issues, strategic direction and fundraising.
- Attend and actively participate in bi-monthly Finance Committee meetings.
Skills and Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 3 years of finance management including establishing and managing financial policies, procedures and systems.
- Experience in producing and presenting financial information to trustees and non-finance staff.
- Experience line managing staff members and/or volunteers.
- IT proficiency (outlook, excel, Quickbooks, SAGE).
- AAT/CIMA/CCAB qualified (or working towards qualification).
- Experience in financial transaction processing and record keeping.
- Experience in payroll administration.
- Experience with producing management and statutory accounts.
- Knowledge of statutory and non-statutory reporting requirements.
- Knowledge of accounting and regulatory framework for charities.
- Entitled to work in the UK – no sponsorship available.
Desirable
- Diploma in Charity Accounting or CIPFA Certificate in Charity Finance & Accountancy.
- Willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends when necessary.
- Knowledge and/or experience of working in a finance role within a charity.
- Fully conversant and committed to Equal Opportunities issues.