At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management for a charity, ensuring compliance and strategic insight.
- Company: Happy Days, a community-focused charity supporting those in crisis.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, competitive salary, and meaningful impact.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to rebuilding lives and fostering community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in charity finance, strong Excel skills, and a professional qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 36400 - 36400 £ per year.
Location: Halifax
Hours: 4 days a week (28 hours)
Salary: Starting salary £36,400 Pro rata
About Happy Days
We are a community-based charity supporting people experiencing homelessness and crisis. Our services include supported housing (68 bedsits), a winter shelter, a crisis drop-in service, food provision including a social supermarket and a Cycle Shop. We are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred support that helps individuals rebuild their lives. The community at Happy Days is at the very sharp end of deprivation and multiple disadvantage. We support people who are experiencing drug and alcohol addiction, mental health and health inequality, all which often a direct result of complex childhood trauma.
Purpose of the Role
The Finance Manager will lead the financial management of the organisation, ensuring strong financial control, compliance, and strategic insight across a diverse range of services. This role is critical in supporting sustainable service delivery, managing multiple income streams (grants, contracts, rental income, and trading activity), and enabling informed decision-making at senior level.
Key Responsibilities
- Produce timely and accurate monthly management accounts with clear commentary
- Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process
- Monitor organisational performance against budget and provide variance analysis
- Prepare financial reports for the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees
- Manage restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring compliance with funder requirements
- Oversee income streams including:
- Rental income from supported housing
- Grants and contracts
- Donations and fundraising income
- Social supermarket trading income
- Bike shop subsidiary accounting
- Ensure accurate income recognition and reporting
- Oversee financial processes related to housing stock (68 units) including rent accounting and arrears reporting
- Support operational managers with budget management and cost control
- Lead the preparation for annual audit/independent examination
- Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements and relevant accounting standards (e.g. SORP)
- Maintain and improve financial controls and procedures
- Oversee VAT and other regulatory obligations (particularly for trading activity)
- Accountable for Finance Policy, process and SOP development and oversight
- Act as a key adviser to the CEO and Trustees
- Contribute to organisational strategy, financial planning, and sustainability
- Support business planning and funding bids
- Line manages Finance Officer
- Maintain and develop financial systems and reporting tools
Person Specification
- Experience in a finance role within charity, housing, or not-for-profit sector
- Strong knowledge of management accounting and budgeting
- Experience of multi-income stream organisations
- Understanding of restricted funding and fund accounting
- Ability to communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders
- Strong Excel and financial systems skills
- Experience of SAGE accounting
- Professional qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or part-qualified
- Experience with housing finance / supported accommodation
- Knowledge of Charity SORP
- Experience managing VAT in mixed-income organisations
Key Attributes
- Commercially aware but values-driven
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical skills
- Able to operate both strategically and hands-on
- Collaborative and supportive of frontline services
Charity Finance Manager - 4-Day Week & Strategic Impact in Halifax employer: Happydaysuk
Happy Days is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a flexible 4-day work week. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, providing avenues for development within the charity sector. Located in Halifax, we are dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where your contributions directly support individuals facing homelessness and crisis, making every day at work rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Charity Finance Manager - 4-Day Week & Strategic Impact in Halifax
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the charity sector! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at Happy Days. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Show Your Passion
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your passion for supporting those in need shine through. Share your experiences and how they align with Happy Days' mission. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference!
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on Happy Days and come prepared with questions that show you’re serious about the role. Think about how your skills in finance can directly impact their services. We love candidates who are proactive and ready to contribute from day one!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re keen on being part of our community and committed to our cause.
We think you need these skills to ace Charity Finance Manager - 4-Day Week & Strategic Impact in Halifax
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Finance Manager. Highlight your experience in charity finance, budgeting, and managing multiple income streams. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Happy Days!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for supporting people experiencing homelessness and how your financial expertise can make a difference. Let us know why you’re excited about this role and our community.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your work history, focus on roles that demonstrate your financial management skills, especially in the charity or not-for-profit sector. We love seeing examples of how you've contributed to strategic planning and compliance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Happydaysuk
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to charities, such as income streams and budgeting processes. Be ready to discuss how you've managed finances in previous roles, especially in the charity or not-for-profit sector.
✨Understand the Mission
Happy Days is all about supporting those in crisis. Familiarise yourself with their services and the challenges they face. Show genuine passion for their mission during the interview, and think about how your financial expertise can directly contribute to their goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Prepare examples of how you've handled financial discrepancies or budget cuts in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with non-financial stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you've communicated complex financial information in an accessible way. Highlight any experience you have in supporting operational managers with budget management and cost control.
