Finance Manager

Permanent: 37.5 Hours per week - Salary band 7b - 8i(dependent on qualifications & experience)

Accountable to: Director of Finance and Performance

Direct Reports: Senior Finance Assistant, Finance Assistants, Junior Finance Assistant

• Lead and manage the finance team and finance volunteers
• Lead on daily, month-end and year-end financial processes, ensuring compliance with accounting principles and statutory regulations
• Be the main contact with the banks, HMRC and auditors

*The Hospice of St Francis supports flexible working, paid carers leave and jobshare

Key Accountabilities, Responsibilities & Tasks

Departmental & Role Specifics

• Lead and manage the finance team and finance volunteers.
• Lead on daily, month-end and year-end financial processes and prepare the year-end audit pack for the statutory audit and oversee the audit process liaising with the auditors as required.
• Maintain a weekly cashflow forecast ensuring sufficient working capital is maintained whilst maximizing short-term investments.
• Work with the People Team to ensure the monthly payment of employee salaries is met.
• Prepare the quarterly VAT returns for review and sign off by the Director of Finance and Performance. Act as the key contact for VAT and ensure robust systems are in place to comply with HMRC requirements.
• Lead on the collaboration with the trading and fundraising departments and CRM Manager to ensure accurate processes are in place, to include the sharing of financial data through manual or automated integration.
• Ensure creditors and debtors are kept to a minimum.
• Manage accruals and prepayments.
• Control and update the Fixed Asset Register, liaising with the Estates Manager to maintain accuracy.
• Control and update the Restricted Funds log, liaising with fundraising to maintain accuracy.
• Be the main contact with the banks and facilitate any overdraft facility with trustees as required and manage the bank mandates.
• Be the main contact for the use of the finance system and lead on resolving any issues.
• Ensure processes within the department comply with accounting principles and company policies are clearly documented and followed by the finance team.
• Maintain the Financial Procedures Handbook, ensuring it is complied with within the organisation and update financial processes as appropriate. To include regular review of process improvement and risk mitigation.
• Any other tasks and responsibilities commensurate with the role and needs of the business.

Qualifications, Skills, Experience, Knowledge & Approach

• Qualified member of CCAB- such as CIPFA, CIMA, ACA or ACCA - essential
• Advanced understanding of accounting principles and practices - essential
• Previous experience of managing a finance team and carrying out performance reviews - essential
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel - essential
• Familiarity with accounting software (ideally Sage Intacct) - essential
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills - essential
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - essential
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team - essential
• Leading and developing a team - essential
• At least two years’ management experience within a finance function - desirable
• A pro-active approach to work and problem solving, and the ability to spot and deal with issues as they occur - essential
• A 'cando’ outcome focused attitude and approach

Key Accountabilities, Responsibilities & Tasks

Communication

• Consistent and effective communication with all members of the team and all visitors to the Charity.

Internal & External Contacts

• All employees, volunteers, trustees and patrons
• Members of the general public. External organisations/suppliers

Decision Making

• Freedom to make decisions within the boundaries of the Job Description and charity policy and procedure

Mental and Physical Consideration. Working Conditions & Environment

• The post holder may be required to change from one activity to another to meet the changing needs of the service.
• Required to sit at a computer.
• The post holder will be required to work in a high volume, fast paced environment. Frequent interruptions should be expected.

Health & Safety

• Understand and comply with all Health and Safety, Fire and Infection Control regulations
• Complete all mandatory training and ensure compliance of direct reports and contractors
• Report any accidents or incidents in the department

Safeguarding

• Act in a manner at all times to safeguard the interests of individual patients/clients and their families and justify public trust and confidence in the Hospice of St Francis