Finance Manager in Southend-on-Sea

Based at our Fair Havens offices, located near to beautiful Priory Park in Southend, we are seeking an experienced and motivated Finance Manager to play a key role in ensuring the financial sustainability of our organisation. This is an exciting opportunity to step into a hands-on leadership role, combining technical expertise with team management and meaningful impact. This is advertised as a full time position, but consideration will be given to candidates seeking a 0.8 FTE position - please highlight your preference in your application. On occasion there may be a requirement to work and attend meetings at our Little Havens location in Thundersley.

Main duties of the job:

• Manage and develop a small, dedicated finance team, including our Payroll Officer
• Take ownership of monthly management accounts, reporting, and controls
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
• Work closely with the Head of Finance and deputise where required
• Play a key role in improving systems, processes, and ways of working

This role requires a flexible, hands-on approach — someone who is equally comfortable reviewing reports and stepping in to support operational finance tasks when needed.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or equivalent
• Has experience producing management accounts and financial analysis
• Has experience managing or overseeing payroll
• Has strong people-management skills and enjoys developing others
• Is proactive, adaptable, and willing to roll up their sleeves when needed
• Can communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues

Experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector is desirable but not essential.

At Havens Hospices, we care for children, young people and adults with complex or incurable conditions. Our specialist Care Teams can support them and their family living throughout illness, death and bereavement in the comfort of their own home and through our hospice services, Fair Havens and Little Havens. Working at Havens Hospices allows you to give the gift of time to patients and families, creating memories. Although you may not be giving direct care to our patients, your contribution will have an immediate effect on our care services. In return for your expertise and passion, you will receive a competitive salary package, and most of all, by making the most of every day you work at Havens Hospices you’ll be helping us continue “Making every day count” for those who need us most.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Prepare timely and accurate monthly management accounts, including income and expenditure, balance sheet, and supporting schedules
• Provide clear variance analysis and commentary to support decision-making
• Lead month-end processes, including accruals, prepayments, and control account reconciliations
• Maintain and review the fixed asset register
• Monitor and report on cash flow, supporting forecasting
• Ensure all balance sheet reconciliations are completed accurately and on time
• Oversee day-to-day transactional finance processes, including Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
• Review purchase invoices, payment runs, staff expenses, and sales invoicing
• Ensure effective operation of the purchase order system and adherence to controls
• Oversee reconciliation of fundraising systems to the finance system
• Maintain oversight of cash handling processes, including events and donations
• Ensure banking platforms and financial systems are accurate and up to date
• Line-manages the Payroll Officer and has overview of the end-to-end payroll process
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and on time, with appropriate review and sign-off controls in place
• Review payroll reports, reconciliations, and journals prior to posting
• Ensure compliance with HMRC requirements, pensions, and other statutory obligations
• Act as a key point of escalation for payroll queries and issues
• Ensure robust payroll processes, documentation, and internal controls are maintained
• Support VAT returns and other statutory reporting requirements
• Support the preparation of year-end accounts and external audit processes
• Ensure strong internal financial controls and adherence to finance policies
• Support insurance administration and maintain appropriate records
• Support the Head of Finance in the annual budgeting and forecasting process
• Work with budget holders to monitor financial performance
• Investigate and report on variances, providing insight and challenge
• Monitor capital expenditure against approved budgets
• Contribute to improvements in finance systems and processes (including Sage)
• Support development of reporting tools and dashboards
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and strengthen controls
• Line-manages members of the finance team, including Finance Officers and the Payroll Officer
• Provide coaching, development, and performance management
• Ensure a high-performing, supportive, and collaborative team environment
• Maintain a hands-on approach, providing cover across finance functions when required
• Ensure continuity of service across all finance activities
• Support and deputise for the Head of Finance in operational matters
• Attend meetings and present financial information as required
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and budget holders

Qualifications:

• AAT qualified, or part-qualified accountant (e.g. ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)
• GCSE or equivalent pass grades in Mathematics and English.
• University degree

Skills & Experience:

• Experience in finance or accounting role with a strong understanding of book-keeping and reconciliations.
• Proficiency in SAGE or similar finance packages
• Ability to use Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), databases, other relevant software and systems, and the internet to an intermediate level
• Meticulous in terms of attention to detail, able to deliver with speed whilst working within tight timescales and under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with donor platforms and CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge
• Understanding of fund accounting and charity SORP

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.