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Director of Finance

Job description

Harris Hill are recruiting for a Director of Finance, HR & Administration for this international development charity based in London.

This position is ideal for someone who is looking for the next step in their career.

Salary 50,000pa

Role

To ensure effective systems of financial control and reporting are in place; to provide sound advice and guidance to the Board, the Executive Director and the Senior Management Team on matters relating to the finances and financial strategy of the charity; and to ensure legal compliance in respect to financial reporting, contracts and staff policies.

Reporting Line

The Director of Finance & Administration works under the supervision of the Executive Director.

Responsibilities - Financial Planning

Act as principal adviser to the charity on organisational finance and financial strategy.

Develop, with the senior management team, in consultation with the Officers, in particular with the Treasurer, a medium to long term financial strategy taking into account the organisation's overall strategic plan, reserve policy and future predictions of income and expenditure.

Develop, with the senior management team, in consultation with the Treasurer the organisation's annual budget for discussion and approval by the Board of Trustees.

Oversee the development of the circles of donors of the charity and take them into consideration in all his involvements with fundraising and finance.

Be responsible for monitoring the organisation's cash flow and in combination with the Treasurer ensure the optimal management of funds, including investments if required.

Responsibilities - Financial Management & Systems

Maintain and review the organisation's financial records, systems, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with good practice and statutory requirements.

Maintain the security and integrity of the organisation's computerised accounting package and act as the main contact with the software provider.

Manage the coding structure within the accounting package to ensure that all reporting requirements are met.

Review, develop and implement effective internal controls, in particular those relating to the control of payments for expenditure.

Responsibilities - Budget Monitoring

Provide timely, complete, and accurate financial reports to Budget Holders, the Senior Management Team and the Board drawing attention to significant variations;

Ensure that monitoring systems are in place to enable Budget Holders to review actual performance against the annual budget on a monthly basis and for variations to be identified at an early stage;

Ensure that financial reports on projects are available and presented in a timely and appropriate manner.

Responsibilities - Statutory Accounting

Be the main point of contact with the organisation's external auditor.

Plan the overall annual audit schedule including the Finance and Administration Team's internal year-end timetable.

Advise on the adoption of appropriate accounting policies for the statutory accounts.

Prepare the annual statutory report and accounts in compliance with current regulations and standard practice.

Ensure that the final statutory report and accounts are kept and presented to the Charity Commission, Companies House, bankers and funders as appropriate.

Responsibilities - Human Resources, IT and Central Administrative Functions

To oversee the drafting of all employment contracts (staff and consultants) to ensure they are in compliance with relevant UK law and with the internal regulations of THE CHARITY.

Where staff or consultants are employed who are resident outside of the UK, the Director must ensure such contracts are in compliance with the relevant laws.

To ensure that the organisation has in place appropriate policies for the protection and well-being of its staff and assets (e.g. insurance, health and safety policies, human resources policies, etc.) and to ensure they are regularly reviewed for continued compliance with UK law or, in the case of foreign based employees, compliance with the appropriate laws.

Oversee payroll and pension processing ensuring compliance with the Employee Handbook and any relevant legislation and maintain contacts with external providers.

Oversee investigations and complex employee relations issues including staff union consultations, redundancy and grievance.

With support from the organisation's outsourced IT providers, to be responsible for devising a long term IT strategy for the charity, taking into account available funding.

To manage the contract with the organisation's IT providers, ensuring that an efficient and effective service is provided which meets business needs, including staff training.
Ensure that good value is achieved from centrally controlled suppliers and contracts and in accordance with THE CHARITY's procurement procedures.

Responsibilities - Organisational & Team Management

To actively participate in meetings of the Donor Care Committee and to provide advice and information as required.

To manage and develop the Finance and Administration Team, including line management of the Finance and Administration Officers.

Be an active member of the Senior Management Team with input into the strategic and operational development of the organisation as a whole;

Attend and actively participate at Finance Committee and at Board of Trustees Meetings when requested.

Person Specification (Essential and Desired)
Essential Criteria

A qualified accountant from a recognised body e.g. CIMA, ACCA or CIPFA with at least five years' experience at a senior level within voluntary sector.
Senior management experience, preferably in the NGO/voluntary sector.
Experience of preparing financial reports at a senior level.
Experience of preparing annual budgets in a complex organisation.
Experience of producing detailed budget monitoring statements for budget holders.
Experience of major project or grant budget preparation and reporting.
Experience of preparing statutory (SORP) accounts in accordance with the Companies Acts and UK GAAP as it applies to charities.
Experience of managing staff and demonstrable ability to motivate a small team.
Experience of supervising facilities management, administrative roles, health and safety, and human resource activities.
Experience of using computerised accounting systems.
Ability to use Excel to an advanced level.