Finance Manager

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, HR AND GOVERNANCE

Connect is an innovative national charity for people living with aphasia. Aphasia is a communication disability, usually caused by stroke, the leading cause of disability in the UK: www.ukconnect.org

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Job Description

Finance Manager

JOB TITLE
Finance Manager

3 to 4 days a week
Salary: pro rata £30,000 - £35,000

RESPONSIBLE TO
Chief Executive

LINE MANAGES
Finance Co-ordinator

LOCATION
London office SE1

PURPOSE
To maximise performance and income through strong financial and operational control ensuring full compliance with legal responsibilities

Key responsibilities

1. To deliver sound financial management
• oversee the charity’s financial processes ensuring they are carried out in an efficient and cost effective way within an appropriate financial controls framework, and ensuring that the charity’s cash flow is optimised
• oversee production of Monthly Management Accounts and Grant Funding Returns
• oversee preparation and production of the charity’s annual Statutory Accounts and submit Accounts to Companies House and the Charity Commission - meeting relevant accounting standards and agreed deadlines
• liaison with external auditors
• oversee preparation of tax returns for VAT, income and corporation tax and ensure that the charity plans and maximises its tax recovery
• prepare returns and liaise with our Payroll Agency and Pension provider
• develop, prepare, supervise the preparation of and analyse management accounting information that meets the expectations of different users, in particular the Trustees and managers
• review financial and other internal controls and oversee more proactive activities, such as cash management
• provide financial training and support to individual project managers and other Connect staff.

2. To contribute to the strategic development of Connect in collaboration with the management team
• develop and manage, in close co-operation with the Chief Executive, the financial planning processes
• develop, promote and maintain the annual budget setting
• monitor performance against these plans to ensure that the charity's resources are being used effectively to achieve its mission and goals.
• work with the CEO, Trustees and senior management in developing Connect’s strategy, advising on financial and resource implications Ensure papers for Board and Trustee meetings are produced and dispatched in a timely manner

3. To lead management of risk
• anticipate, plan and manage operational and business risk to ensure Connect can maintain business continuity
• develop and maintain the operational risk register

4. To manage and develop the Finance Co-ordinator

• lead, manage, develop, train and empower the Finance team to deliver effective services that anticipate and meet the charity's needs

This is not an exclusive or exhaustive list. Its purpose is to provide a broad outline of the role, within which the changing needs of Connect’s work, and annually set objectives, can be accommodated.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential:
• Accountant fully qualified with a recognised CCAB body
• Broad Accountancy experience, preferably in the voluntary sector
• Experience of producing monthly management accounts to a high standard
• Knowledge of value added tax and payroll administration
• Using a computerised accountancy system, preferably Sage and advanced use of Microsoft Excel
• Producing cash flow forecasts
• Producing reconciliations for all accounts
• Managing a budget setting process and monitoring budgets
• Managing an audit process
• SORP
• Experience of project accounting and reporting to funders
• Experience of staff management
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines whilst delivering to a high standard
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to interpret financial issues to non financial people to enable them to make informed decisions
• Ability to carry out the job in accordance with Connect’s values, participating in line-management and review processes

Connect is an innovative national charity for people living with aphasia. Aphasia is a communication disability, usually caused by stroke, the leading cause of disability in the UK: www.ukconnect.org