GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF UNITARIAN AND FREE CHRISTIANCHURCHES

JOB TITLE:Head of Finance and Administration

RESPONSIBLE TO:Chief Officer

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:Honorary Treasurer, Executive Committee members, Chief Officer and other staff. Chairs of Strategy Groups and budget holders.

HOURS OF WORK:Part-time (0.5wte) 17.5 hours per week.

Flexible.

BASE;Essex Hall

SALARY:Approx £42,000 pro rata plus up to 7.5% pension contribution if matched by employee

SUMMARY OF ROLE – JOB PURPOSE

To provide sound financial advice to Honorary Treasurer, Executive Committee, Chief Officer and other budget holders. To provide an effective financial management service to the General Assembly. To manage the administrative services.

JOB SPECIFICATION

Finance Services

  • Ensure, in close cooperation with the Chief Officer and Honorary Treasurer, that an appropriate financial policy framework is in place to guide financial decision making.
  • Ensure that appropriate financial controls are in place to ensure the integrity of the general ledger; the financial reports; and the information provided to the Executive Committee.
  • Ensure that financial reports can easily be understood by a wide range of individuals.
  • Ensure the appropriateness of the key assumptions included in financial plans and annual budget proposals and provide advice on these matters.
  • Contribute to the preparation of the strategic planning processes and prepare the annual budget and forecasts.
  • Advise the honorary treasurer and Executive Committee on major financial issues which arise and which are outside the agreed boundaries of management authority.
  • Maintain regular liaison with the honorary treasurer.
  • Work closely with the Chief Officer on the likely financial consequences of all proposed courses of action.
  • Maintain records to meet legal and tax requirement and manage provision of accounting services.
  • Plan and manage the charity's tax liabilities under existing and proposed legislation.
  • Prepare the statutory annual accounts and liaise with auditors to ensure that accounts are true and fair and to minimise audit issues.
  • Plan and manage cash flow and investment activity - the latter in consultation with investment managers and the Unitarian Investment Panel.

Administrative Services

  • Ensure the effective management of operations and administrative services at Unitarian Headquarters, including further development of volunteer roles.
  • Ensure the that Annual Meetings are delivered effectively.
  • Ensure that external support services are effective and value for money.
  • Lead on development of IT and communications services.
  • Seek to lever financial savings and improved customer service for

congregations and individuals in contact with Unitarian Headquarters.

Policies and Procedures

Comply with all Policies, Procedures and Guidelines as set out in Staff Handbook.

Any other general requirements as appropriate to the post and location

The range of duties and responsibilities outlined above are indicative only and are intended to give a broad flavour of the range and type of duties that will be allocated. They are subject to modification in the light of changing demands and the development requirements of the post holder.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

  • Fully qualified (CCAB recognised)
  • Experience of producing charity accounts according to SORP
  • Extensive management accounting experience
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills
  • Ability to manage various complex and demanding deadlines
  • Advanced Excel user, along with exposure to various accounting packages
  • Meticulous in all areas of accounting and reporting

STRUCTURE

See attached diagram

Date Prepared: 20 April 2012