Description of Paces Charity:

Paces is a specialist centre and Charity for children and adults with neurological conditions (mainly Cerebral Palsy), and motor disorders – Stroke, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis.

Paces delivers Conductive Education: a holistic package of support that aims to help individuals obtain the greatest level of independence through a range of supportive measures.

Paces aims to meet the physical and cognitive needs of individuals which are often not met holistically elsewhere.

Paces focuses on ability, not disability.

Paces was established in 1997; the charitable organisation was born out of the experiences of parenting children with physical disabilities and their related learning difficulties.

Trustees, Governors, staff and parents have overseen the growth of Paces as a Charity, with Paces School gaining Department of Education Non-Maintained Special School status in 2009.  Paces School was rated GOOD by Ofsted in 2019, with the school currently educating 37 children from ages 4-18.  The school provides a personalised curriculum based on the National Curriculum through the medium of Conductive Education. 

Paces has an Outreach Team that currently supports 28 families in the community.

Families come into Paces for bespoke 1-1 and group Conductive Education sessions. 

Paces also has an Adult Services Team; and in addition, Paces operates a sessional Conductive Education Programme for individuals with Parkinson’s, Stroke and Multiple Sclerosis.   

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is a new role.

The CFO will be a senior strategic member of the Charity Management Team, taking overall responsibility for the leadership, organisation and management of finance across all aspects of the Charity. This includes responsibility for financial records, payroll and financial performance reporting. 

Included in this significantly expanded role will be the financial leadership of helping the Charity to procure much improved building accommodation.

The Chief Finance Officer is responsible for the financial health of the organisation, ensuring an environment of tight financial control and delivery of the Charity financial strategy, in alignment with the overall vision as set by Trustees.

The CFO position has been created to support the Charity as it aims to acquire ownership and the building of its own brand new and bespoke facility.

The successful candidate will have an energy, passion and vision to support Trustees and Governors as they aspire to help Paces deliver world leading facilities in their new national centre of excellence. 

For the right individual, the exciting vision and plans that Paces brings forward will offer a career opportunity to make a significant difference to the lives of the children and adults that our Charity supports.

Roles and Responsibilities:

All duties required within the remit of this role, including but not limited to:

Strategic Management.

• The overall performance of the finance function, including line management as identified
• A strong focus on effective financial due diligence and identification of financial risks and liabilities.

• Strategic financial planning to support the CEO in the development and implementation of the finance strategy.

• Key decision making of the Trustee Board and Executive Board.

• To ensure the effective development, implementation and evaluation of finance policies and procedures, ensuring their consistent and compliant application.
• Embed the principles of a business partnership approach with Heads of Department to ensure proactive and effective finance support across the organisation.
• Network with other peer organisations to keep up to date to support role and function development.
• Identify needs and opportunities to improve the finance function and service in conjunction with other Senior Management colleagues.
• Communicate, present and provide information to the Board of Trustees and Governors.
• Network with other peer organisations to keep up to date with systems, processes, and best practice – in particular, with Charity auditors, legal partners and all financial authorities as required.
• Ensure own continuous personal development.
• Attend Management, Committee and Board meetings as required.

Manage the processing and recording of all financial transactions.

• Processing of sales, purchase, cash book and journal transactions.
• Ensuring appropriate checks and balances are in place to mitigate the risk of error and fraud.
• Ensure all accounts are reconciled, documented, and signed off in a planned and timely manner in accordance with agreed timetable.
• Ensure the monthly processing and payment of payroll in accordance with Charity policies and timetable.
• Continually monitor financial systems and processes to identify improvements or efficiencies as part of a continuous improvement plan.
• Closely liaise with all local authority and other finders including the department of education.
• Work to agree annual increases with all local authorities, whilst achieving the best possible value for each commissioned contract.
• Liaise closely with Head of Fundraising, Capital Projects Officer and Monitoring Officer, to be sure all bid/grant applications are financially compliant with organisational needs, and maximise opportunity for the Charity.

Prepare the management accounts and financial performance information.

• Produce the monthly management accounts and monthly reports, in a timely, accurate and consistent manner – and presented in a way as requested by Trustees.
• Prepare weekly and monthly cash forecasts and manage the investment of monies in short and medium-term accounts.
• Liaise and work closely with the CEO in the compilation of all management reporting.
• External interface with banks, auditors, pension funds and others.

Prepare and control the annual budgeting and forecasting process.

• Prepare timetable templates and guidelines for the annual budgeting process and lead the quarterly forecast process.
• Co-ordinate, coach and support all budget-holders and managers in delivering budgets and forecasts as required.
• Consolidate and evaluate budgets in conjunction with financial strategy.
• Report and present results to Management team, and the Trustees and Governors as needed.

To lead and manage the Finance Team.

• Manage, motivate and lead our small Finance Team, ensuring that all finance employees are being effectively managed, developed and motivated, providing leadership, direction, motivation, clear objectives and meaningful feedback.
• To build and maintain excellent working relationships with other Department Heads, ensuring the provision of a positive and professional service that enables the overall progression of the financial strategy as set by Trustees.

Be responsible for the production of annual statutory accounts.

• Ensure a year end timetable is agreed with external auditors that enables the production and audit of annual accounts.
• Ensure draft statutory reports are prepared with detailed documentation and supporting analysis to assist the external auditors with their work.
• Liaise with external auditors on audit planning, current accounting requirements and audit issues.

Manage quality and assurance controls and audit compliance.

• Establish and maintain a robust controlled environment providing mitigation and minimisation of risks of fraud and error in the books and records of the Charity.
• Establish, maintain and review a suitable system of recording and monitoring internal and external audit recommendations relating to the works of the finance department – oversee and deliver all improvements as required by audit.
• Ensure that appropriate guidance and support is available to ensure high quality customer service is provided to all.
• Ensure all financial activities and reporting are in compliance with financial regulations including the Charity Commission, FCA and Companies House.

Manage Organisational Change.

• Ensure a full understanding of the Charity long-term strategy and management plan, and ensure departmental strategy and priorities are aligned with said plan.
• Oversee all financial aspects of the purchase and procurement of the proposed New Home for Paces.
• Support Trustees, CEO and the Senior Management Team with high level advice on how to secure relevant lending streams to make our Capital Project come to fruition.
• Be well versed in all aspects of VAT issues, with particular reference to the purchase of land and the building of a new Capital Project.
• Maximise VAT rebates where able, here particularly focused on rental of Charity Office and Adult Service space.
• Seek out opportunities for the Charity to maximise, where able, the very best financial returns.
• Manage and direct the financial aspects of capital projects in order for the Charity to move forward.
• Be a positive change champion for the organisation, identifying key impact areas and priorities and supporting change programmes and strategies.
• Communicate Charity strategy to all employees where required and support them in understanding the departmental strategy and implementing change initiatives as required.

• Other Duties.

• Liaise with local authorities as needed.
• Carry out additional duties as required.
• Attend relevant training courses and participate in staff development initiatives to improve knowledge and working practice.
• Attend out of hours functions, meetings or events as required.
• Ensure the principles and values of the Charity are understood and communicated, and report and resolve any concerns in relation to a breach of policy.

Person Specification

Experience, Knowledge & Skills

• Successful leadership and management experience in a Charity of similar or larger extent.
• Evidence of full compliance with the core principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership.
• The ability to use and interpret complex data to measure, benchmark, evaluate and account for the Charity and School’s financial performance.
• Experience of supporting a Trustee and Governing Body to ensure that they are effective and fulfil their statutory responsibilities concerning School and Charity financial management.
• A clear sense of perspective and a positive ‘can do’ approach.
• Extensive experience of budgeting account management and strategic planning.
• Experience of the leadership and management of change.
• Precise and meticulous attention to detail.
• Proven work experience as a Chief Finance Officer, Director of Finance, or similar role.
• ln-depth understanding of cash flow management, bank reconciliation and bookkeeping.

• Hands on experience with budgeting and risk management.
• Excellent knowledge of data analysis and forecasting models.
• Proficiency in accounting software.
• Solid analytical and decision-making skills.
• A positive, visible and approachable role model to others.

Qualifications / Training

• Qualified Accountant.
• A degree or similar level of qualification in accounting, business management or a related discipline.
• A further education related business management qualification.
• BSc/BA in Accounting, Finance or relevant field.
• MSc/MBA or relevant certification (e.g. CFA/CPA would be advantageous).

Work Circumstances

• A flexible approach to required duties.
• A full UK driving licence.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Probation: There will be a probationary period of three months.

Holidays: 25 days holiday a year in addition to relevant public holidays (pro-rata for part time staff).

Hours: 37.5 hours per week which may include evenings or weekends.

NO CONTACT FROM RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE