Closing date: Friday 14 February 2025
Location: Head The Ropeworks, Whipcord Lane, Chester, CH1 4DZ
Hours: 21h per week
Salary: £39,165 per annum FTE
Contract: Permanent
We are a dedicated charity committed to empowering individuals with vision impairments to live independently, access the support they need, and thrive. With a rich history of making a difference, we are proud to provide vital services and advocacy. As a not-for-profit organisation, we value transparency, integrity, and compassion in all that we do.
To help us achieve our goals, we are seeking a skilled and motivated Finance Manager to oversee the charity’s financial operations and ensure our resources are used effectively to maximise our impact.
The Role
To manage the charity’s financial operations, ensuring effective financial planning, monitoring, and compliance. The Finance Manager will provide all aspects of financial planning and management, alongside the CEO and managers, and reporting of the financial position to the Board of Trustees, ensuring sustainability and alignment with the charity’s goals. The Finance Manager will collaborate with the executive management team to analyse departmental finances and develop budgets that will monitor expenditure, and work closely with the CEO to maintain and develop the financial status and security of the organisation.
Overall Responsibilities
1. Play a key role in budgeting, forecasting and planning process
2. Financial modelling, analysis and presentation
3. Banking
4. Ensure payments are made to suppliers within agreed terms
5. Development and refinement of management accounting and reporting, including business analysis
6. Day to day financial operations within the organisation such as payroll, invoicing, chasing debtors and accounting function using Sage packages
Key Activities
1. Oversee the charity’s day-to-day financial operations, including monthly returns for expenses and mileage, accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and banking
2. Identify potential risks to project plans and new contract agreements, implementing actions in partnership with internal colleagues to mitigate risks and overcome challenges
3. Lead on Charity and HMRC, Charity Commission and Companies House financial returns
4. Produce and submit the annual gift aid claim
5. Provide financial budgets and reports when required including calculations of proposed projects and current funded services, projects and service level agreements
6. Prepare accurate monthly management accounts, financial reports, and cash flow forecasts for senior management and Trustees
7. Develop and monitor budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives
8. Manage restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring compliance with funder requirements
9. Lead on the annual audit process, liaising with external auditors and preparing required documentation
10. Strategic planning
11. Provide financial analysis to support decision-making and long-term planning
12. Identify risks and opportunities, recommending strategies to improve financial performance
13. Develop and maintain financial policies and procedures, ensuring robust controls are in place
14. Lead on financial compliance and governance
15. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including charity law, HMRC requirements, and GDPR
16. Prepare statutory accounts and reports in accordance with the Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice)
17. Act as the key contact for financial queries from trustees, funders, and regulatory bodies
Team Collaboration
1. Support non-financial staff in understanding financial processes and reports
2. Meet the Finance Manager in Vision Support Trading on a fortnightly basis to share updates of financial performance and report any issues to the CEO
This job description and person specification reflect the duties of the post as they exist at this time and may be subject to change based on the needs of the organisation. The post-holder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the salary and competence requirements of this post from time to time as required. This is a varied post, and it is not possible to cover all potential responsibilities in the job description, therefore it is expected that the post-holder may be required to carry out tasks not specifically covered within their job description.
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
1. A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) or qualified by experience in a charity finance role
2. Proven experience in financial management, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector
3. Strong understanding of charity finance regulations, including SORP and fund accounting
4. Understanding of VAT redemption and the ability to apply it accurately
5. Proficiency in financial software e.g. Sage and advanced Excel skills
6. Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly
7. Understanding of different funding streams including restricted, unrestricted and designated funds
Desirable skills
1. Familiarity with donor management and fundraising financial requirements
What We Offer
1. Flexible working arrangements (remote work with regional travel)
2. 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 32 days after 5 years’ service (pro rata)
3. Pension scheme
4. Access to an Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 counselling
5. Vision impairment awareness training
6. A full induction with a chance to meet the whole team
7. Regular teambuilding days
8. Opportunities for career development and training
9. A chance to make a real difference
Join us and be part of something extraordinary.
Please note, Vision Support reserves the right to close this advert early should we find a suitable candidate.
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