Business Partner in Knowsley

Directly Responsible For:

No direct reports

Overall team / department purpose

• The Financial Controller’s team comprises the Group’s Treasury & Tax, Financial Planning and Policy functions.
• The primary purpose of this team is to be responsible for ensuring that the financial viability and resilience of the group is maintained in the short, medium and long-term and that the group maintains compliance with the finance and treasury strategy and associated policies, and with all financial regulatory and statutory matters.
• This comprises control over the Group’s base approved Financial Plans (and associated stress testing, mitigation plans, and the asset and liability register), financial regulatory reporting, financial policy and procedure, and financial master data.
• In addition, the function will provide a business partnering approach to the specialist support activities involved in financial planning, treasury & tax, financial policy and procedure, and financial data matters.
• This role is responsible for the provision of cashflow forecasts for all subsidiaries in the Group, monitoring cashflow performance and contributing to the completion of regulatory returns.
• The role also involves the provision of expert advice to colleagues in respect of tax and treasury matters, developing and delivering a first class service that is efficient, effective and reflects current best practice.

Key working relationships

• The role holder is required to contribute proactively towards a high performing Finance team, providing peer leadership and challenge to drive team performance. This involves interaction across the broader Finance team and with all functions across the Group including at senior levels of the Development, Assets and Social Investment teams to understand cash flow requirements.
• External to the Group, the holder is required to work with external parties to enhance the provision of Finance and Tax & Treasury related activities. Key relationships include with funders, bankers, external audit, HMRC and tax advisors.
• Complete short term and medium term cash flow forecasting for the Group, developing and maintaining forward focused cash flow forecasts which demonstrate ongoing viability and support the drawdown of cash deposits and loans at appropriate points to minimise the Group's interest payment obligations.
• Ensure treasury forecasts are consistent with the long term strategic business plan (BRIXX).
• Treasury accounting and reporting for operational, regulatory and statutory purposes.
• Support the closure of the year-end financial accounting process for areas of responsibility - incorporating control account reconciliations, production of tax and treasury notes for financial statements and provision of data to external auditors.
• Support the Financial Controller and Director – Finance & Investment in optimising use of borrowing facilities and available cash across the Group, ensuring availability of cash, minimisation of interest payments and management of counter-party risk in accordance with the Treasury Policy.
• Support the development and maintenance of robust systems and procedures for submitting accurate and timely loan covenant returns to the Group's lenders.
• Maintain accurate records of loan securitisation position and valuations in accordance with bank covenants.
• Maintain up to date details of all bank and loan accounts, key contacts and bank mandates.
• Liaise with the Business Partner – Financial Planning to ensure compliance with regulatory funding requirements.
• Provide a financial accounting service for Livv Investment.
• Develop and maintain systems and procedures which enable the Group to have a short and medium term view of current and future loan covenant compliance.
• Ensure the Group complies with all of its regulatory VAT and Tax obligations, developing and maintaining strategies and procedures to minimise the Group's tax liability.
• Support the Group Payroll Manager and Team Leader-Financial Shared Services in ensuring compliance with payroll tax and Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) legislation.
• Ensure related party transactions are correctly recorded, reconciled and reported across the Group.
• Coordinate collection of data for the completion of returns to the Office for National Statistics, ensuring returns are made on time and copies are retained.
• Ensure risk, control and performance are embedded within the Tax & Treasury Function and managed, monitored and reported in support of Group objectives.
• Ensure a true business partnering approach to the provision of Finance support services, with particular emphasis on tax and treasury related matters.
• Identify and develop key external relationships that will enhance the provision of Finance and Treasury support activities.
• Complete any other tasks as commensurate with the level and nature of the post as delegated by the role’s line manager.

Key measures of success

• Achievement of the operational objectives for the Tax & Treasury function for the Group as set out in the policies and strategy.
• Compliance with Group financial regulations for cash management.
• Delivery of content for management and financial accounts on time and in full.
• Maintenance of internal audit low risk rating for tax and treasury.
• Delivery of all covenant information to funders on time and in full.
• Completion of all statutory and regulatory returns on time and in full.

Livving our values

Livv's a place with opportunities to grow. We believe in empowering you to make a positive impact in your own unique way. Our values embody what matters to us and show what it means to be Livv, together:

Making a difference daily

We invest in our people, our customers and in the creation of a fairer society.

Positively open

We're open to feedback at all times, as we strive to deliver a first-class customer experience.

Forging the right way

We're creating an inspiring road which others will want to follow.

Together as one

Our teams work on another level of cohesiveness to enable us to deliver better outcomes.

Each one of us

• listens to our customers and makes their needs a priority
• is committed to equality, diversity and inclusivity
• takes a flexible approach and works where we’re needed
• follows health and safety guidelines to keep ourselves, colleagues, and customers safe
• helps reduce risks by proactively communicating any potential issues to our line managers
• protects sensitive information by safeguarding customer, colleague and third-party data
• is guided by our policies, procedures and social aims
• is dedicated to continual learning and taking ownership of our personal and professional development.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Professional Accounting, Treasury or Banking Qualification

or PQ Finalist with appropriate experience and commitment to completing exams and qualification (CCAB, CIMA or ACT) (E)

Experience

• Operational management in Finance (E)
• Cashflow forecasting (E)
• Managing VAT in a partially exempt business (D)
• Knowledge or experience of tax / treasury (E)

Skills, knowledge & ability

• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide technical advice and to operate in a business partner manner (E)
• Ability to gather, analyse and interpret information and good problem solving skills (E)
• Microsoft Office, particularly strong Excel skills (E)
• Ability to contribute towards a high performing and continually improving culture across the Finance team (E)
• A highly customer focused approach, including the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of colleagues and customers (E)
• Proven ability to present and challenge information (D)
• Knowledge and understanding of working in a regulated environment (D)
• Understanding of the issues and challenges facing the social housing sector (D)

Personal characteristics

• Takes ownership & accountability for own role and where appropriate for team outputs (E)
• Creative and commercially astute (D)
• Can demonstrate cross departmental working to achieve objectives (E)
• An organised approach to work, including prioritisation of conflicting demands and working well under pressure (E)

Other

Flexible approach to hours worked to ensure deadlines are met (E)

Agile Working

We operate an agile working policy, with colleagues expected to work from the office a minimum of one day per week, or more depending on business needs. For this specific role, working arrangements may vary - we recommend discussing expectations with the hiring manager during the interview process

Equality and Inclusion

Please visit here to read more about Livv inclusive and our approach to equality and inclusion.

Disability Confident

The Equality Act protects disabled people from discrimination, and we welcome applications from disabled people. The Equality Act defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and adverse long-term effect, usually at least 12 months, on their ability to carry out day to day activities.

We will try to provide access, equipment, or other practical support to ensure that disabled applicants are not disadvantaged by their disabilities.

Data Protection

We fully recognise your rights under current Data Protection Laws and are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. We collect and process personal data relating to applicants to manage the recruitment process effectively, including for statistical purposes.

For full details please see our Job Applicant Privacy Policy

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