At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management and ensure compliance for a community-based charity.
- Company: Happy Days, a charity dedicated to supporting those experiencing homelessness.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £36,400 pro rata, flexible 4-day work week.
- Other info: Join a values-driven team focused on community impact and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while managing diverse income streams.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance within charity or not-for-profit sectors; strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 36400 - 36400 £ per year.
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
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
Housing & Service Finance Support
- Oversee financial processes related to housing stock (68 units) including rent accounting and arrears reporting
- Support operational managers with budget management and cost control
Crisis/drop-in services
Food and Bike Shop retail-style operations
Compliance, Audit & Controls
- Lead the preparation for annual audit/independent examination
- Ensure compliance with:
- Charity Commission requirements
- 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
Strategic & Leadership Support
- Act as a key adviser to the CEO and Trustees
- Contribute to organisational strategy, financial planning, and sustainability
- Support business planning and funding bids
Team & Systems
- Line manages Finance Officer
- Payroll, HMRC, NEST
- 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
Finance Manager in Halifax employer: Happydaysuk
Happy Days is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and values-driven work culture that prioritises community impact and employee well-being. With flexible working hours and a commitment to professional development, employees are empowered to grow within their roles while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and crisis in Halifax. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that fosters collaboration and innovation in addressing complex social issues.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager in Halifax
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the charity and finance sectors, especially those connected to organisations like Happy Days. Attend local events or online webinars to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's mission and values. Understand how your skills can contribute to their goals, especially in managing finances for community support. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their culture too.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial storytelling! Be ready to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms. This will help you connect with non-financial stakeholders during interviews, showing you can bridge the gap between numbers and real-world impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search and genuinely interested in making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager in Halifax
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in finance, especially within the charity or not-for-profit sector. 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! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about supporting people experiencing homelessness and how your financial expertise can contribute to our community-focused work. Let us know what makes you tick!
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on your knowledge of management accounting, budgeting, and handling multiple income streams. We’re keen to see how you’ve navigated similar challenges in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. 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 and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and forecasts in previous roles. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to produce accurate management accounts and provide insightful commentary.
✨Understand the Charity Sector
Happy Days operates in a unique environment, so it's crucial to understand the challenges faced by charities. Familiarise yourself with the specific funding streams they utilise, such as grants and donations, and be prepared to discuss how you can ensure compliance with funder requirements while managing multiple income sources.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll often need to explain complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Practice simplifying financial jargon into clear, relatable terms. Think about how you can convey the importance of financial controls and compliance in a way that resonates with the team and supports their frontline services.
✨Show Your Strategic Side
This role isn't just about crunching numbers; it's about contributing to the overall strategy of Happy Days. Be ready to discuss how you've supported organisational strategy and sustainability in past roles. Highlight any experience you have in advising senior leadership or contributing to business planning and funding bids.
