Finance Manager
Job description
1. / Main purpose of the jobThe Finance Manageris responsible for overseeing the financial health of the charity, to provide financial information and accounting support to the staff team and Board of Trustees. To implement and monitor the Finance policy and procedures to ensure the integrity and availability are displayed to all staff members.
2. / Position of organisation
Reports to: / Chief Executive/Treasurer
Responsible for: / Finance and Administration Assistant; Database Administrator; Office Co-ordinator
Main relationships: / Internal:Administration team, Fundraising Directorate members, House staff, Regional Fundraisers for the assigned region, Treasurer, Senior Management Team
External: Members of the public, volunteers, external financial agencies and suppliers, representatives from other charities, external network groups.
Direct contacts: / CEO; Finance and Administration Assistant;Database Administrator, Office Co-ordinator, Treasurer
Reference points: / Members of the general public, donors, supporters, The Sick Children’s TrustTrustees and volunteers, external agencies and suppliers, representatives from other charities
3. / Brief description of directorate
The Finance Directorate develops implements and delivers an effective financial accounting function in order for the charity to achieve agreed annual objectives. It also forms part of the overall strategy to maximise our efficiency, and raise the profile of The Sick Children’s Trust.
The Directorate is responsible for developing and implementing cost effective financial
systems andestablishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all staff in
relation to the management of their financial affairs.The FinanceManager provides
input into local operational and strategic plans and maintains high quality financial
accounting processes.
4. / Scope of the job
A. / Provide effectivehigh quality financial accounting processes for the charity, act as a leading interface between Finance Directorate and all staff on financial matters
B. / Provide and give clear guidance and line management on tasks with realistic deadlines and expected standards tomembers of the Finance and Administration department
C. / Keep informed of changes within the voluntary sector and manage them as appropriate, ensuring all financial strategies comply with current legislation
D. / To provide and maintain input to operational and strategic plans.
E. / Increase awareness of The SCT to its maximum potential according to the principles and objectives of the organisation
F. / Keep accurate records and be responsible for all personal administration, data entry, filing and financial reports.
5. / Duties and responsibilities
A. / Provide an effective service to the charity, act as a leading interface between Finance Directorate and all staff on financial matters
- Work to the long term, sustainable financial strategy for the organisation in line with the Strategic Plan objectives and overall five year business plan
- Produce monthly management accounting reports for department Managers, Trustees and House Managers
- Manage the annual external audit for year end, producing draft accounts including SOFA and Balance Sheet
- Prepare the annual budgets and forecasts ensuring high quality projected expenditure is collated
- Manage relationships with all budget holders with the aim of developing long term forecasting, provide advice to all staff on these matters
- Oversee the purchase ledger, making sure invoices are paid promptly and all paperwork has been completed correctly
- To manage and maintain The SCT banking, including the implementation of new bank accounts
- Reconcile all bank accounts using Sage Line 50 and problem solve in the event of a discrepancy
- Manage and process the charity’s payroll and pension scheme on a monthly basis ensuring the correct returns are sent to HMRC and pension providers.
- Be the main point of contact for The SCT insurances ensuring good value for money
- Ensure legal compliance with the Charities Commission and Companies House and update all information held by them
B. / Provide and give clear guidance on tasks with realistic deadlines and expected standards to members of the Finance and Administration department
- Ensure annual financial strategy in conjunction with Chief Executive is updated and implemented to achieve agreed targets, delivered to deadline
- Provide financial information for The SCT’s Annual Report each year, and support the marketing manager with the production of the AnnualReport
- Set and maintain income & expenditure budgets in agreement with the Chief Executive, providing reports as required
- Provide reports on relevant financial activities for quarterly Trustees’, Management and Team Meetings.
- Provide regular reports for the Chief Executive
- Manage the work of all members of the Finance and Administration Department, ensuring systems are set up and adhered to and that all work is of a consistently high quality.
- Oversee full financial and administration inductions to all new staff within The SCT
C. / Keep informed of changes within the voluntary sector and manage them as appropriate, ensuring all financial strategies comply with current legislation
- Ensure in close co-operation with CEO and Treasurer that an appropriate financial policy framework is in place to guide the charity’s financial decision making.
- Oversee updating sections in the Employee Handbook related to financial information as necessary
D. / To provide and maintain input to operational and strategic plans.
- Attend quarterly meetings with treasurer to review accounts in advance of trustee meeting; attend regular senior manager meetings; team meetings and liaise with internal and external stakeholders
- Attend risk management meeting when required and monitor and update controls
E. / Increase awareness of The SCT to its maximum potential according to the principles and objectives of the organisation
- Ensure all paperwork for all donations received by the charity is available for inspection by auditors
- Take responsibility for own administration, including filing, letters and handling a range of telephone enquiries
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records using agreed systems, including database.
- Arrange visits to ‘Homes from Home’ for financial audit purposes.
F. / Keep accurate records and be responsible for all personal administration, data entry, filing and financial reports.
- Ensure all paperwork for all donations received by the charity is available for inspection by auditors
- Take responsibility for own administration, including filing, letters and handling a range of telephone enquiries
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records using agreed systems, including database.
- Arrange visits to ‘Homes from Home’ for financial audit purposes.
6. / General responsibilities
- Be a positive ambassador for The Sick Children’s Trust. Adopt a personal style that enhances the reputation of The Sick Children’s Trustand fosters respectful and professional working relationships.
- Contribute positively to team working within the charity and to implementing organisational objectives.
- Be flexible within the broad remit of the post.
- Take direction on projects and priorities from your line manager, which may vary from time to time.
- Abide by organisational policies and practices, including the equal opportunities policy and code of conduct.
- Ensure that The Sick Children’s Trust’sUK brand values are fulfilled in activities undertaken.
- Maximise The Sick Children’s Trust’sUK resources by building and maintaining effective interdepartmental relationships.
7. / Dimensions and limits of authority
Disciplinary action: / In line with SCT policy and procedure
Budgetary limits: / Budget holder
Expenditure asagreed with CEO
Authorises expenditure within a budget to a limit of: / £10,000
Signs contracts and contractual matters on behalf of The Sick Children’s Trust: / In line with current Finance procedures.
This job description does not form part of your contract of employment. The duties laid down in this job description may change from time to time following a review and in consultation between post holder and line manager / director.
Updated Date:November 2014
Signed by post holder:Date:
Agreed Correct and
Signed by Line Manager:Date:
Agreed Correct and
Signed by Director:Date:
Finance Manager
Person specification
Essential / DesirableExperience / Demonstrable experience of at least fiveyears in an accounting environment. /
Experience of working within the charitable sector and knowledge of SORP /
Experience of producing management accounts, preparation for audit and general accounting duties. /
Experience of managing own workload effectively and planning and organising work to meet deadlines. /
Experience of managing an external audit team and the preparation of such paperwork. /
Experience of setting budgets and effective management of budgets to achieve agreed targets. /
Experience of supportingstaff with budget advice. /
Experience of working effectively without close supervision dealing with problems as they arise. /
Experience of HR processes /
Experience of preparing payroll and knowledge of the PAYE/NI system /
Skills, abilities and personal attributes / Able to take responsibility for delivering against objectives /
Able to keep thorough, accurate and up to date records. /
Ability to communicate clearly and assertively with people at all levels. /
Able to develop positive working relationships with a range of people internally and externally. /
Able to work as part of a team and motivate others. /
Experience of using Sage Line 50 Accounting software. /
IT Literate.Experience of Microsoft Office software; in particular Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook. /
Knowledge / Understanding of general financial principles. /
Knowledge of databases, preferably Donor Flex. /
Education/ Training / Educated up to degree level or equivalent and minimum AAT level qualification /
Other requirements / Commitment to working outside of normal office hours, at weekends and away from home when the job requires this. /
To have and maintain a valid driving licence. /
Willingness to take accountability for own actions in the delivery of objectives. /
Willingness to develop an understanding of disability issues. /
Commitment to working within the principles of equal opportunities. /
Empathy with the aims, goals and values of the charity, and a commitment to support delivery to meet these. /