JOB DESCRIPTION
1. IDENTIFICATION OF POST
POST TITLE Finance Manager
FUNCTION To provide overall management of all aspects of the Trust’s Management Accounts and financial administration for Cheshire Wildlife Trust and subsidiaries contributing to the efficient running and monitoring of the organisation.
RESPONSIBLE TO Chief Executive
RESPONSIBLE FOR Accounts and Administration Assistant, volunteers and external service providers.
2. PURPOSE OF POST
To help ensure the Trust remains financially sound and ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Trust. As part of the Senior Management Team and advisor to the Trustees provide accurate and timely financial information as a sound basis for decision making.
To provide an effective financial management service to the charity and its subsidiaries.
Contribute to the strategic development of the Trust and the achievement of its strategic aims.
3. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Creating Excellence:
1. Key member of the Senior Management team with responsibility for leading the development and delivery of strategies and business plans to grow the Trust and it’s subsidiary.
2. As part of the Senior Management Team identify and manage the key strategic risks which would impact adversely on the delivery of the Trust’s objectives.
3. Financial input to scoping and delivering the Wildlife Trust’s development strategy and annual plans. Make monthly reports against targets to Senior Management team, quarterly for Trustees and annually for Annual report.
4. Provide day to day line management and develop staff and volunteers to become high performing individuals and teams.
5. Encourage financial awareness and understanding across the whole Trust in order to maximise the effective use of resources and optimise the financial results of the Charity.
Finance Systems:
6. Ensure the accuracy of all aspects of CWT and CES finances, including record keeping, invoicing, credit control, debt collection, payments and cash flow.
7. Provide accurate data for all financial reporting.
8. Ensure grant claims are submitted in line with scheme timetables and provide supporting data for claims as required.
9. Ensure robust financial control procedures are in place.
10. Manage procurement of goods and services for the Trust and its subsidiaries.
11. Manage the efficient use and interrogation of the Trusts relationship database (Progress) to ensure financial procedures and data analysis of membership is robust.
Management Accounts and Budget:
12. Produce timely monthly management accounts for budget holders and trustees which enable budget holders to monitor their progress against budget.
13. Produce quarterly cashflows and develop strategies to deal with any potential problems.
14. Produce annual budgets and three year financial forecasts based on input from budget holders and integrate with the Trust Business Plan.
15. Support budget holders, Operational Management Team, Senior Management Team and the Trustees in understanding and executing their financial responsibilities.
16. Produce any ad hoc reports as required.
17. Support budget holders in developing realistic and robust project budgets.
18. Service the Finance Committee and CES Board by providing necessary papers on a quarterly basis.
19. To undertake such other suitable alternative work as the Chief Executive, Finance Committee, CES Board or Board of Trustees may from time to time request.
Audit:
20. Produce a set of statutory accounts for CES and associated working papers
21. Produce a full set of statutory accounts (SORP & Companies Act) for CWT and associated working papers
22. Draft the tax computation for both CES and CWT (when required) for submission to HMRC by the auditors and deal with any resultant queries
23. Respond to auditor questions and queries
CES:
24. Ensure all CES invoices are raised accurately and in a timely manner
25. Produce monthly financial reports for CES for the CEO and the CES board
26. Produce annual budgets
27. Provide support and assistance to the management team of CES as required
Company Secretary:
28. Ensure compliance with standard financial and legal practice and maintain standards of corporate governance
29. Ensure all formal reporting requirements are met for the Trust and CES
General:
30. Ensure the operation of the Trust is compliant with all aspects of Data Protection and Financial Legislation. Ensure that The Trust operates within all guidelines as enforced by The Charities Commission, Institute of Fundraising and Fundraising Standards Board.
31. Ensure the development, management and enhancement of the Organisation’s I.T systems, services and operations.
32. Undertake any other duties required by the Chief Executive.
POST SPECIFICATION
This role requires leadership, drive, and an entrepreneurial approach. The post holder will have to undertake a complex range of professional and technical duties with a substantial degree of personal responsibility and autonomy. The job holder must react quickly under pressure and use a high degree of initiative and judgement to ensure operational efficiency and organisational integrity.
The job holder will be the primary internal financial advisor to the charity, contributing significantly to the overall planning and control of the organisation’s finances in the short medium and long term.
Occasional travel around the region and infrequently the UK will be required. The role can involve long working days with some unsocial hours. The majority of staff work occasionally at weekends to help with events and although this is desirable, it is not a requirement of the role. A driving licence and use of a vehicle is required as public transport is often inadequate.
The role will require regular liaison with a wide range of contacts, including:
· Honorary Officers and Trustees
· Trust and Corporate Members
· Solicitors and other legal specialists
· The Trust’s Auditors, Accountants and Bank
· Companies House
· Charity Commission
· Suppliers and Contractors
· HMRC
· Volunteers and Trainees
· Sponsors and Grant providers
PERSON SPECIFICATION
This section details the experience, skills, knowledge and personal qualities required for the post:
Experience / Essential / DesirableQualified Accountant i.e. membership of relevant professional Institute e.g. ICA, ICMA, CIPFA or equivalent business experience / Ö
Significant financial experience / Ö
Experience in management / Ö
Experience of managing staff and budgets / Ö
Significant demonstrated experience of preparation of management and annual accounts, business analysis and management information and the development, maintenance and monitoring of management information systems and procedures. / Ö
Demonstrated success in achieving difficult targets in a competitive environment / Ö
Experience in setting budgets in conjunction with budget holders / Ö
Experience of managing procurement / Ö
Experience of Charity sector financial management / Ö
Experience of working with volunteers / Ö
Knowledge
Knowledge of charitable finance regulations and key strategic finance reporting / Ö
Knowledge of business operations processes, preferably in the Charity/Voluntary Sector environment
/ ÖA full understanding of general principles of financial and budget management / Ö
Skills
Excellent communication and presentation skills both written and verbal and the ability to communicate to different audiences / Ö
Fully IT literate – particularly MS Word, Excel, database and accounting software (Sage) / Ö
Ability to operate, maintain and monitor information systems / Ö
Ability to motivate, maintain and develop an effective team / Ö
Ability to develop creative ideas and a pro-active attitude in ‘making things happen’ / Ö
Ability to set, prioritise and achieve targets on time / Ö
Strong networking and interpersonal skills. Able to exercise diplomacy and build partnerships within teams and stakeholders / Ö
Personal qualities
Commitment and enthusiasm to the Trust and its work / Ö
Awareness of the needs of staff and volunteers in a environmental charity / Ö
Self-discipline, confidence with an assertive but friendly manner / Ö
A positive and mature approach with tact and diplomacy / Ö
A commitment to Equal Opportunities / Ö
Willingness to be flexible and respond to changing circumstances / Ö
Attention to detail / Ö
High standards of personal and professional integrity / Ö
Well organised, calm, clear thinking, prudent, analytical, concise, firm, articulate and numerate / Ö
Able to meet deadlines / Ö
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Salary: £35,000 pa. (Depending on experience)
Pension: The Trust has a Group Personal Pension Scheme and life assurance cover, which are available to the post holder. The post holder will be eligible for employer’s contributions of 10% on completion of the probationary period.
Hours of Work: Full time hours - 35 hours per week. Overtime is not paid but time off in lieu may be taken, where appropriate, as the post will definitely involve some evening and weekend working.
Duration of post: This post is permanent. All new employees undertake a probationary period of 6 months, in which time they are expected to demonstrate their suitability for the post.
Holidays: 28 days (including bank holidays) plus 3 specified days per annum
Place of work: The Wildlife Trust's Head Office: Bickley Hall Farm, Bickley, Malpas, Cheshire SY14 8EF and other venues within UK as appropriate.
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