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HEAD OF FINANCE - NON PROFIT
Key responsibilities
- Support the Director of Finance & Deputy CEO to ensure that the organisation’s finance and accounting function is managed efficiently and properly, in accordance with the highest standards of good practice in the charity sector, and that its financial obligations in the UK and overseas are met efficiently, complying with all relevant financial and statutory requirements.
- Act as an internal financial adviser to the Director of Finance & Deputy CEO providing sound technical advice, guidance, information on organisational performance, risks, and opportunities.
- Support the Director of Finance & Deputy CEO oversee the management and further development of the organisation’s finance and accounting systems, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness is maintained.
- Drive forward the further development of financial controls, management systems, and budgeting processes focusing on proactively supporting managers in budget preparation and control, understanding of reporting obligations, monitoring, and challenging the performance of both income and expenditure.
- Provide inspirational leadership and direct line management support to the staffing resources within the finance team, following the best practice management guidelines adopted by the organisation.
- Supervise the preparation of monthly payroll and associated HR administration, including holiday and absence reporting in a pay context.
- Attend the organisation’s finance subcommittee, generating reports and presentations and the delivery of action items, as required.
- Assist the Director of Finance & Deputy CEO ensure compliance with statutory bodies’ requirements, such as those of the Companies House, Charity Commission, and HMRC, and be responsible for any technical issues arising.
- Manage and deliver the annual audit process, ensuring that accounting and reporting processes are compliant with relevant standards, and collaborate with the Director of Finance & Deputy CEO as required to produce annual financial statements.
- Support the work of the Management Accountant in the preparation of timely, accurate and insightful financial reports and management accounts for trustees and senior staff to ensure informed decision making.
- Act as an advocate for the finance team and the wider organisation, attending both internal and external meetings as required.
- Undertake any other duties consistent with the post and assist with other areas of work as required.
Skills Required
- The ability to operate at the strategic and tactical level in the planning and delivery of a broad range of finance tasks.
- The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, using initiative and sound judgement.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written and the ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Positive and can-do attitude. Willingness to undertake a range of activities and a flexible approach to working in a small not for profit organisation.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritise conflicting demands while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- A track record of problem solving.
- Analyse and present complex information in a relevant and comprehensible way, including interpreting accounting data for non-accountants.
Qualifications
- Qualified professional accountant and member of an accountancy institute/body that is recognised in the UK, with significant demonstrable post-qualification experience.
- Educated to degree standard or equivalent work experience.
- Solid understanding of SORP and of third sector finance management.
- High level of proficiency with accounting software.
- Excellent Microsoft Office IT skills, including expertise in Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Experience
- Significant experience of accountancy and financial management at a senior level including but not limited to budget preparation and the management and delivery of year end and audit processes.
- Substantial relevant professional experience within a finance function, providing and presenting insightful financial information and commercial analysis to influence leaders across the organisation.
- Experience of presenting financial information in a meaningful way and explaining complex finance matters to a non-finance audience.
- Experience of establishing and operating an effective controls environment.
- Experience of line managing staff and ensuring support is provided appropriately across the team.
- Ability to inspire, coach and develop financial skills in colleagues.
- Ensure compliance with data protection, information security and confidentiality principles.
Specific Qualities
- Commitment to animal welfare
- Eager to learn and continually improve to keep up to date in the fast-paced digital space.
- A positive and flexible approach to the work.
Along with our client, we are committed to a diverse workforce and as such recruit from a wide available pool of talent, with the hiring, assessment and selection process being fair, free from bias and one which ensures the right person is selected for the job, based on merit. We treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances.
A copy of our D&I policy can be made available upon request.
