Head of Finance - Home based working within the North West

The role holder will report to the Director of Finance, Procurement and Estates and will be responsible for:

• Operationalising the financial strategy of the Charity, providing stewardship of the financial assets of the Charity, and ensuring the integrity of financial information reported.
• Leading in the functional delivery of the Annual Business Plan as well as contributing to the wider delivery across the Charity.
• Working with the Director of Finance, Procurement and Estates in the provision of a truly value adding finance business partnering offering across the Charity.
• Ensuring a strong financial control environment is in operation across the Charity.
• Leading and developing a high performing finance team, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of services.
• Ensuring the effective management of the corporate appointee‑ship service AFG provides, and working closely with operational colleagues in ensuring the effective operation and control of house account arrangements.
• Ensuring adherence to all financial reporting requirements, both internal and external.

Dimensions: The role holder will have responsibility for 4 direct reports (Financial Accountant, Management Accountant, Financial Planning and Analysis Manager and Money Management Manager), although this may fluctuate depending upon the activities of the Charity at any point in time. The overall team size is circa 35 (Finance and Money Management).

Principal Accountabilities:

• Financial Support the Director of Finance, Procurement and Estates in ensuring the effective implementation of the agreed financial strategy of the Charity.
• Support the Director of Finance, Procurement and Estates in the provision of financial guidance to the Executive and Director group.
• Support the Director of Finance, Procurement and Estates and work closely with the Executive and Director group in the development of the financial budget and subsequent re‑forecast exercises.
• Support the Director of Finance, Procurement and Estates in the overall stewardship of the assets of the Charity and in accordance with the requirements of the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation and Standing Financial Instructions.
• Providing financial input to new commissioning opportunities, commissioner exit strategies and significant capex items.
• Ensure the integrity/accuracy of financial information distributed across the organization thus providing a solid financial basis for decision making.
• Ownership of the compilation of the Budget, Re‑forecast and 3‑year plan, in line with Committee deadlines and ensuring the inclusion and buy in of all budget holders.
• Undertake ad hoc financial project work as and when required.
• Direct responsibility for the Budgets and day to day management of Finance and Money Management departments.
• Ownership and development of AFG 'Pricing Models'.
• Responsible for day‑to‑day effective management of the working capital of the Charity, ensuring cash receipts and payments are optimised.
• Work closely with operational colleagues in the resolution of Trade Debtor issues.
• Ensure compliance of Money Management activities.

Customer: The production of all performance information and reporting across the organization is both timely and accurate. This includes monthly reporting, reports for Committees and Board and external reports (e.g., CQC Market Oversight, Banks, external and internal audit).

• Provide support and guidance to those with budgetary responsibility.
• Where performance is adverse to Budget, the role holder should work closely with the budget owner to ensure plans to mitigate are in place.
• Support and guidance should include any required financial training requirements observed.
• Develop positive working relationships with key external stakeholders (e.g., banks, external and internal audit etc.).
• Effectively manage the conflicting and often competing demands on functions for which the role holder is responsible.

People: Where required deputise for the Director of Finance, Procurement and Estates at key meetings including both internally and with external stakeholders. This may on occasion include the presentation of papers to Committees/Board on an ad‑hoc basis.

• Be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), making contributions that further the aims of the Charity re. its strategic direction.
• Management of and providing direction to those departments under supervision on a day‑to‑day basis. This includes setting objectives, regular performance reviews, training and development.
• Create an environment where staff are given the opportunity to develop to their full potential, are encouraged to 'solutioneer' problems and are focused on outstanding customer service.

Process: Maintain and develop a strong internal control environment through the ownership of all finance policies and procedures, ensuring they are kept up to date and reflect both legislative and audit requirements.

• Ensure recommendations from both External and Internal audit within Finance and Money Management are acted upon in a timely manner.
• Be the system owner for all financial software, ensuring that data is stored accurately and securely, and that systems are developed in the pursuit of efficiency and the delivery of excellence and in accordance with the digital strategy of the organization.

Legal and Regulatory: Keep abreast of updates in accounting standards/tax legislation and the impact on the financial performance of the Charity.

• Ensure AFG is compliant in its role as Corporate Appointee and changes in benefits legislation are reflected in working practices.
• Timely submission of all required returns (e.g., ONS returns, statutory financial statements, CQC Market Oversight, returns to banks, DWP and Local Authority reporting etc.).