Finance Manager in Bristol

To manage and ensure control of the funding, financial and corporate resources of the Charity to ensure a financially secure service, delivering value for money. Work with the Co-Directors to advise and develop the financial strategy, model new projects, prepare annual and project budgets, and report on financial performance, contributing to the overall future strategic direction of the Charity. Manage the day-to-day finances for the Charity. Ensure all aspects of the financial systems are accurate and up to date, including banking, sales and purchase ledgers, payroll and cash management. The postholder is expected to foster excellent working relationships with all staff, volunteers, senior colleagues and trustees.

Meeting Attendance

• Monthly All Staff: regular attendance
• GDPR/Data Working Group
• Finance and Income Generation (FING) Committee Meetings
• Other meetings: attendance only as and when required and/or at the direction of the Co-Directors

Key Responsibilities

• Supervision and management of Senior Finance & Admin Officer (SFAO)
• Day-to-day financial management
• Provision of accurate reports to Board and senior managers
• Payroll, pensions and tax management overview and control
• Budget process management
• Statutory reporting and charity compliance
• Account management – key suppliers and contractors
• Financial risk management
• Governance support to FING committee and trustees

Core External Relationships

• Payroll provider
• TPT pensions
• HMRC
• All banks
• Charity Commission
• Companies House
• Charity auditors
• IT contractor & insurers

Day-to-Day Financial Management

• Regularly review and maintain financial policies and procedures.
• Review the monthly reconciliations carried out by the SFAO to ensure all transactions are properly and efficiently recorded.
• Oversee the management and allocation of restricted funds, ensuring the monies are allocated according to the donor’s wishes and records are always maintained.
• Regularly review and make recommendations for improvements to financial controls, ensuring methods are documented and clear to staff.
• Support with funding bids and reports back to donors.
• Manage all charity bank accounts, acting as authorised signatory with banks.

Payroll, Pensions and Tax Management

• Supervise the payroll process carried out by SFAO.
• Ensure effective management of the Charity’s pension scheme.
• Ensure payments to HMRC are made accurately and on time, and all available allowances are claimed.

Budget Process Management

• Take the lead on preparing the annual budget, working closely with SLT to capture all spending plans and develop a thorough, consistent process inclusive of all managers.
• Alongside the Co-Director, present the draft budget to Board for approval.
• Present monthly management accounts and cost centre reports for all managers.
• Work closely with all SLT to ensure they fully understand their budgets and ongoing organisational performance against budget.
• Monitor variations against spend and integrate within overall cash flow analysis.
• Recommend corrective actions to Co-Directors and/or Board as necessary.

Statutory Reporting and Charity Compliance

• Act as lead member of staff with the Charity’s auditors.
• Oversee the preparation of the annual accounts and supporting papers required for an efficient and effective annual audit.
• Maintain fixed asset register and inventory of all equipment contracts/agreements.
• Ensure compliance with statutory bodies and key external institutions, and act as lead on behalf of the charity with the following bodies:
• Charity Commission
• Companies House
• Pensions Regulator
• HMRC
• Valuation Office
• All banks

Insurance

• Take the lead in managing the insurance renewals process, and ensure that a comprehensive suite of insurances is in place to cover key risks across the Charity.

Financial Risk Management

• Ensure appropriate financial risk management techniques and controls are in place at strategic and operational levels.
• Develop, update and produce long-term cashflow forecasts to evidence that the Charity can operate as a going concern.
• Provide up-to-date dashboards and reports of the financial position, projections and scenarios, considering the financial implications of alternative business models, advice on new and current business income generation initiatives and analysis of financial risk and performance.
• Work with the Co-Directors to ensure appropriate processes are in place for the long-term financial viability of the charity, advising on the financial consequences of proposed actions.

Governance Support to FING Committee and Trustees

• Assist the Chair of FING Committee (Treasurer).
• Prepare all associated papers and minutes.
• Prepare finance papers for Treasurer to deliver to Board of Trustees.
• Attend Board of Trustees meetings and present information as requested.

General

• Postholder to adhere to their relevant Code of Ethics as laid down by their professional body, being mindful that adherence to the code takes precedence over charity policy and practice should a conflict ever arise.
• Keep abreast of financial developments across the charity sector and ensure any opportunities for tax reliefs, cost reduction, value for money and more effective systems are seized as appropriate.
• Undertake any other duties as determined by the Co-Directors.

Personal Specification

• Personally committed to Caring in Bristol’s vision and values and collaboration-focused method of work.
• Committed to reflection and learning, including sharing failures and uncertainties; openly taking feedback from the team and members of the community on your behaviour and work.
• Bring ideas for improvements and is open and honest in all communications where relevant and appropriate.
• Awareness of your own needs: the homeless sector can be challenging – you will be good at knowing your limits under pressure and will be confident to ask for help when you need it.
• You will receive support from your team, and we are keen to nurture an environment where no one feels worried about asking for help or support when they need it.
• Resilient working under pressure, able, and willing to both give and take constructive feedback.
• Willingness to work extra hours where needed, with a flexible working policy.
• Grown self-awareness, understanding how your background has shaped the opportunities afforded to you and how you relate to people from different backgrounds.
• Willingness to develop emotional intelligence, with a growing ability to empathise with and appreciate others, creating opportunities for those you work with to grow.
• A passion for social justice and to change Bristol for the better.

Essential (Required) Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum part-qualified accountant or qualified by experience with strong financial management experience, able to understand the practical impact of finance decisions and processes across the charity.
• Specialist knowledge of charities required, including Charity SORP guidance and procedures, underpinned by strong theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
• Ability to work with the Co-directors to lead the formulation of long-term financial plans and strategies that influence the charity’s long-term direction.
• Experience in developing major finance policy development.
• Experience in budgeting and financial planning.
• Experience in management accounting.
• Ability to receive, process and provide highly complex or sensitive financial information, and analyse and clearly communicate financial information.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel, and experience of using databases.
• Solid organisational skills, including consistency, accuracy and an eye for detail.
• Experience of line management and supporting and developing staff.
• Knowledge and understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion practices.

Desirable (Preferred) Qualifications

• Experience with QuickBooks accounting software or transferrable knowledge of similar online accounting packages.