Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Reports to: Director of Finance, Data and Innovation

Line reports: 2

Location: London, hybrid working, with minimum 40% of working time in the office

Salary: London £54,000 (salary band £54,000 - £58000; Outside London £51,500 (salary band £51,500 to £55,500)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

The Head of Finance will lead the day-to-day finance function, ensuring our financial information is accurate, timely and useful. The role will oversee financial reporting, controls, compliance, payroll, budgeting and forecasting, while managing and developing the finance team. The postholder will work closely with budget holders and senior leaders to support good financial decision-making across the organisation. The role will also provide oversight of key operational areas, including premises, health and safety, equipment and outsourced technology support.

In the first 6–12 months, the postholder will be expected to strengthen monthly reporting, improve budget holder support, maintain clear financial controls, support the annual audit and help embed effective finance processes across the organisation.

Financial responsibilities

·       Ensure that all financial data is accurately recorded, maintained and reported in accordance with relevant accounting standards and guidelines

·       Ensure compliance with relevant financial, tax and statutory obligations, including VAT, PAYE and other reporting requirements

·        Lead financial business partnering across the organisation, ensuring budget holders have the knowledge, skills and tools to manage their budgets effectively. This will include:

• • Running effective budgeting and forecasting processes to ensure the organisation has a robust plan
  • Producing monthly management accounts with useful variance analysis to ensure proper financial management

·       Alongside the Director of Finance, develop and maintain financial controls to safeguard the charity’s assets, ensuring clear processes are in place and control checks are documented

·       Take full management responsibility for the finance team, lead, motivate and develop them to ensure that they are focused, competent and working effectively and efficiently

·       Maintain clear review and approval processes so that financial work is properly checked, authorised and documented

·       Oversee finance processes for the trading subsidiary, including reviewing postings, accounts and consolidation entries

·       Produce or review monthly payroll amounts and postings

·       Lead preparation for the annual audit and statutory accounts, ensuring working papers, reconciliations and supporting evidence are complete and accurate

·       Ensure restricted funds, grants and project income are recorded, monitored and reported accurately

Operations

·       Ensure premises and properties are managed appropriately on a day-to-day basis

·       Ensure we comply with H&S standards in our multiple offices

·       Ensure the organisation has the resources it needs to do their job through the procurement/ provision of laptops and other equipment

·       Work with colleagues to ensure we comply with GDPR

Person specification: Skill / experience 

Essential

A demonstrable interest and commitment to working with, and supporting people from, a refugee background

Financial and Operational Responsibilities

Strong management accounting experience, including business partnering with budget holders to support good decision-making

Good understanding of UK charity accounting, including charity SORP, audit and year-end reporting

Professional accounting qualification or substantial relevant accounting experience

Management experience and ability to support and develop line reports in a welcoming and inclusive environment 

Understanding of key compliance areas relevant to charity finance and operations, including VAT, Gift Aid, PAYE, P11D and GDPR

Good understanding of charity controls and risk management

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, strong experience using finance systems (we currently use Xledger) and an interest in AI

Experience of charity fund accounting, including restricted funds and grant reporting

Experience of managing/supporting in the management of outsourced technology providers 

Personal Traits

Able to improve processes and deliver practical changes that make finance easier to use across the organisation

Able to manage competing priorities and maintain high standards during busy periods

Self-motivated, organised and able to deliver agreed outcomes on time

Analytical thinker with good problem-solving skills

Practical, flexible and willing to support both strategic and day-to-day finance work

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate complex information to different audiences   

Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to form effective working relationships with other teams

Desirable

Committed to continuous improvement and the use of agile tools to support business change

Considerations 

·       As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks for some roles, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.

·       We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.