Head of Finance

JOB TITLE:Head of Finance

REPORTS TO:Chief Executive

SALARY:c. £45,000 pro rata

LOCATION:Central London

HOURS:Part time - 24 hours per week (over 3-5 days)

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Financeworks closely with the Chief Executiveand others to design and manage all Spirit’s financial operations, ensuringthat compliant, robust and efficient financial policies, processes and systems are in place, and that staff fulfil these effectively. You will provide monthly management accounts and carry out day to day contract management (e.g. office premises lease). A key aspect is the maintenance of an accurate and up to date record of cash flow requirements involving liaisonwith the charity’s Finance and Investment Committee toensure that investment strategy is efficiently aligned with projected expenditure and grant commitments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial corporate planning and governance

  • As part of the senior management team,ensuring effective planning and operations, including monthly management account analysis with the Chief Executive
  • Annual budget setting, with the Chief Executive, programme managers and budget holders, ensuring alignment with the ongoing investment strategy
  • Ensuring financial processes and reporting are fully compliant with the requirements of Companies House and the Charity Commission
  • Ensuring all financial policies, systems and procedures arecurrent and supported by robust business continuity arrangements
  • Liaising with HMRC to ensure compliance with all taxation requirements, including VAT
  • Project-managing preparation of statutory Annual Report and Accounts in close consultation with the Chief Executive, and the Auditors
  • Supporting the Chief Executive and Audit Committee Chair with annual internal financial controlsreview
  • Ongoing financial analysis, to evaluate potential for cost efficiencies and/or reallocation of funds between budgets
  • Compiling and submitting accurate, complete and timely quarterly financial management reports to F&I Committee, Board and the Big Lottery Fund Relationship Manager
  • Identifying and managing financial risks
  • Horizon scanning to alert executive and Board to relevant new developments and risks
  • Occasional Board and staff training to ensure financial awareness and capability.

Financial management and administration

  • Vigilant and efficient oversight of all expenditure, including grant payments, expenses claims, salaries and capital spend
  • Monthly reconciliation of all fund accounts
  • Implementing grant management policies and processes including due diligence checks before grant awards are confirmed and working with programme managers to agree realistic payment schedules, ensure timely payments and manage variances
  • Bank and credit card accounts and transactions management.
  • Liaison withprogramme managers and budget holders to provide monthly management accounts and balance sheet control
  • Day to day management of goods and services contracts,purchase orders and invoices
  • Administration of the payrolland company pension scheme,
  • Administration of the Expenses Policy in relation to staff and Board Members.
  • Management and recording of match funding and/or additional income accruing to Spirit.
  • Carrying out and/or delegating finance administration tasks as agreed.
  • Carrying out additional duties and tasks that may be required of the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications /
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent.
  • Recognised finance qualification (eg ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ACA).

Knowledge /
  • Company law relating to finance
  • Charity law relating to finance
  • HMRC and payroll
  • VAT (preferably in relation to charities)
  • Bank accounts
  • Audit

Experience /
  • Experience of financial management in the charitable sector.
  • Experience of working with programme staff and other budget holders to ensure sound financial management across the organisation.
  • Previous experience of preparing annual report and accounts for audit
  • Previous experience of working with Boards.

Technical/work-based skills /
  • Excellent numeracy
  • Use of financial accounting packages such as SAGE
  • Proficient use of IT in particular for the presentation of financial information and the design of effective working documentation.

JOB RELATED COMPETENCIES

Grade 3 Head of Finance
Communications /
  • Speaks clearly in face to face & phone conversations, sharing information effectively.
  • Listens and seeks clarification if needed.
  • Takes concise and accurate notes / minutes of complex meetings
  • Document creation, quality assurance and file storage all high quality
  • Negotiates confidently & sensitively.
  • Understands and empathises with other perspectives.

Building and maintaining effective working relationships /
  • Forms good relationships with Team, Board & external contacts.
  • Forms good relationships with stakeholders.
  • Always treats others with respect
  • Helps strengthen key partner relations.
  • Checks & challenges proposals for risks (due diligence).
  • Aware of risks inherent in new partnerships.

Planning & Organising /
  • Carries out tasks efficiently & to deadlines.
  • Keeps commissioner/Team informed of progress.
  • Can multi task & switch between tasks.
  • Owns & reviews project plans
  • Identifies & manages risks.
  • Monitors progress
  • Ensures financial planning & procedures are rigorous and systematic
  • Financial reports clearlylink expenditure & outcomes.

Delivering Results /
  • Carries out tasks efficiently & to deadlines.
  • Keeps commissioner/Team informed of progress.
  • Can multi task & switch between tasks.
  • Ensures compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House requirements.
  • Annually reviews internal financial controls to minimise risk.

Innovation /
  • Suggests new & more efficient ways of doing things.
  • Pilots innovations, analysing pros and cons of different choices.
  • Commits to constant review & refreshment of all we do.

Living the Vision & Values /
  • Knows Spirit’s Vision & Values.
  • Demonstrably lives them in day to day work and behaviours
  • Embeds values in all financial dealings and processes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A full working week is 36 hours. You will be based at our Somerset House office, with negotiable opportunities for flexible working. The job may require some UK travel and occasional weekend working e.g. attendance at events.

Benefits include a substantial (10.2% of annual salary) employer pension contribution.

Spirit of 2012 may ask you to carry out other tasks and duties from time to time

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