The Finance department is a shared services function working across the NCIs to provide a comprehensive, cost-effective finance service to each organisation, and helping to co-ordinate joint projects where appropriate. The Finance department is on a change journey, transforming the way we work and the service we provide to the NCIs.
The Financial Accounting and Control Manager leads the Financial Accounting and Control team, and is focussed on maintaining a robust internal control environment and delivering excellence in financial reporting and accounting. The role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of all statutory reporting requirements for the NCIs and annual external audit processes.
This role is the technical accounting expert for the department – able to provide clear guidance on complex accounting issues across a range of business activities including investment, pension scheme and charity accounting. The role also provides support on accounting matters in respect of the wider Church (e.g. cathedrals, dioceses, parishes etc.)
You will manage the Financial Accounting and Control team within the Finance department, preparing statutory financial reporting for a range of complex entities (incorporating investment, pension scheme, company and charity reporting requirements), overseeing period-end processes, and ensuring strong financial controls and good balance sheet management for the NCIs.
You will manage, motivate and develop your team to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of statutory financial reporting for each of the NCIs and provide a high-quality finance service to the NCIs. You will act as subject-matter expert on accounting matters, demonstrating excellent technical accountancy knowledge, and will be able to explain complex financial issues to finance and non-finance staff.
An excellent communicator, you will be able to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and will work collaboratively with the rest of the Finance team to build strong internal control processes. You will be someone who is always looking to improve processes and work smarter, collaborating with your finance colleagues to drive best practice in everything we do.
You will deliver relevant training and support across departments to help improve financial literacy and ensure compliance with relevant financial control procedures.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Responsible for ensuring a strong financial control environment is maintained and that all income and expenditure (including capital expenditure) is correctly accounted for, including:
* Managing the delivery of a smooth, well-controlled and timely month-end and year-end timetable, working with the Financial Accounting Officers to develop and improve this in line with best-practice methodology.
* Ensuring that the balance sheet is well managed for all NCIs, with reference to value, importance and sensitivity of accounts, including that reconciliations are completed on a timely basis, and that suspense, control and clearing accounts are regularly monitored.
* Providing oversight of banking, cash management and cashflow forecasting, ensuring that there is sufficient cash to maintain the liquidity of all the NCIs while optimising the funds available for investment.
* Managing the Chart of Accounts structure to ensure consistency of approach across the NCIs, ensuring any changes are appropriate before actioning them.
* Ensuring compliance reporting is prepared accurately and submitted on time and uses appropriate financial information (e.g. Office of National Statistics returns, Charity Commission Annual Returns).
* Overall responsibility for financial accounting for the NCIs, including:
* Setting, agreeing and managing the year end timetable and communication with internal and external stakeholders.
* Ensuring all accounts templates are updated annually, including reviewing accounting policies and ensuring compliance with relevant reporting legislation, regulatory requirements and best practice within the charity sector (including but not limited to UK GAAP, Pensions SORP and Charity SORP).
* Reviewing the year-end trial balances, analysing key variances with previous years to identify potential omissions or misstatements.
* Managing the external audit process, including being the primary point of contact with the auditors in planning and delivering the audit, liaising with other members of staff in Finance and other departments to deliver the auditors’ requirements, preparing schedules to support each note to the financial statements and providing explanations when requested.
* Drafting the Board and Committee reporting to support the presentation of the Accounts and presenting draft accounts for review and sign-off on behalf of the trustees.
* Working with Communication Department and design company to prepare financial statements in format to be signed and published.
* Ensuring accounts are signed off and submitted to Companies House or Charity Commission on time.
* Responsible for a small team of qualified financial accountants and Financial Accounting Officers, including:
* Managing training and performance of the team individually and collectively, monitoring performance, providing regular feedback and encouraging initiative and ideas.
* Supporting team members to develop and achieve objectives in line with the Finance department’s priorities.
* Managing the workload of the team and ensure cover for key tasks; ensure staff are cross-trained and regular processes are supported by clear and up-to-date procedures manuals.
* Responsible for leading the provision of technical expertise, advice and guidance on financial accounting practices, issues and problems, including:
* Working with the Finance Business Partnering team to advise departments on appropriate accounting treatments for new and continuing activities across a wide range of complex areas (incorporating investments, pension schemes, companies and charity accounting).
* Ensuring legacies are accurately recorded and recognised, including overseeing the liaison with executors as necessary.
* Keeping up to date with best practice and developments in financial reporting and the charity sector and proactively managing personal and continuing professional development.
* Providing financial training and support to non-finance colleagues as required; promoting financial literacy across the NCIs.
* Providing feedback and appropriate responses to any regulatory consultation exercises in relation to accounting standards, promoting the interests of the Church.
* Considering the impact of accounting changes on the wider Church and providing advice and guidance to colleagues who work with cathedrals, dioceses, parishes etc.
* Ensuring effective cash management for the NCIs, including the development of regular cash flow reporting as required by each entity, including:
* Overseeing the production of daily, weekly, monthly and annual cashflow forecasting and monitoring spreadsheets and active management of cash balances to maintain the liquidity of all the NCIs while optimising the funds available for investment.
* Managing short-term investments and cash deposits, including identifying opportunities, producing relevant analysis and reporting, and ensuring compliance with treasury policies.
* Collaborating with other members of the Finance department, including the Finance Business Partnering team, SAP team, Tax and Compliance, and Procurement, to ensure that services are delivered in a joined-up way.
* Providing support for projects within the Finance team (which could include for example, process improvement projects, system projects, implementation of new processes and solutions etc.)
* Developing excellent working relationships and clear communication with the Finance Business Partners, to ensure a consistent understanding of activities within the NCIs, and that this is reflected accurately in both statutory and management reporting.
* Undertaking other ad hoc tasks as required to ensure the Finance team delivers a high-quality, cost-effective service to its customers.
Your job description is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work, but is not exhaustive. Changes may occur over time and you will be expected to agree any reasonable changes to your job description that are commensurate with your banding and in line with the general nature of your post. You will be consulted about any changes to your job description before these are implemented.
About You
The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups.
Knowledge/Experience:
* From an Audit practice background
* Excellent technical financial accounting skills and thorough understanding of relevant accounting standards, including FRS 102, Pensions SORP and Charities SORP
* Experience gained from working as a financial accountant or external auditor covering all aspects statutory reporting for a large organisation
* Experience of problem solving and implementing process improvements
* Experience of leading and managing teams, motivating and developing staff to deliver results
* Experience of accounting for investments
Skills & Abilities:
* Highly developed analytical skills, able to provide insightful, accurate analysis of complex financial data and communicate clearly to finance and non-finance audiences
* Excellent IT skills, including advanced Excel and strong finance system skills, with a good understanding of data structures and chart of accounts optimisation
* Ability to manipulate data, analyse information, identify anomalies and extract pertinent information. Excellent attention to detail
* Well organised with an ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills both written and oral, able to communicate effectively with finance professionals, senior management and trustees, and non-accountants to achieve cooperation and results
* Proactive, self-motivated and enthusiastic
* Persistent and resilient; able to overcome challenges and find solutions
* CCAB or equivalent professional accounting body qualification
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for the role.
For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.
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