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- Tasks: Join our Finance team to manage financial resources and support all departments.
- Company: Sense is a charity dedicated to supporting individuals with complex disabilities and those who are deafblind.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, excellent training, pension schemes, and generous leave entitlements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Relevant financial qualification and experience in retail accounting with strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Regular site visits to Crayford and opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sense has a fantastic opportunity for someone to join our Finance team as our Finance Business Partner. This is a hybrid, full time position working 37.5 hours per week. This role will require 2 or 3 days per week in our offices in Selly Oak or occasional travel over site.
The Finance Business Partner function is a strategic function working closely with business units to help them make informed business decisions. The function provides insights and analysis that helps the organisation understand its financial position, identify opportunities and risks, and make sound decisions about allocating funds. The post holder will provide a high-quality business partnering service to operational management, enabling them to make financial decisions about the current and future services.
The successful candidate will prepare regular, timely and accurate financial management information including budgets, forecast, cost centre reports, analysis and commentaries and ensure that non-financial managers can interpret the data to understand the financial implications and consequences of their decisions.
What you\’ll do
- Production of the monthly management accounts for trading, ensuring accruals, prepayments and adjustments are accurately calculated and posted, and that income is imported accurately from other systems and payroll and invoiced costs accurately reported so that management accounts are a true reflection of the financial performance of trading.
- Ensure that trading balance sheet accounts are accurately maintained and regularly reconciled
- Monthly face to face presentation of financial performance to Senior management, with adequate narrative explanation of the main movements and drivers of the position against budgets and latest forecasts
- To independently conduct monthly review meetings with the Director of the service and Operational managers and to act as the key point of contact to support budget holders with commercial business, capital and investment proposals.
- Challenge the Operational Director and managers to ensure that all concepts have been properly considered before making business decisions.
- Offer professional judgement on financial matters and advising on ways to improve business performance.
- To lead and co-ordinate the annual budget setting process in collaboration with operational managers and the group consolidation team.
- Be comfortable dealing with and working through issues and operational challenges with project teams and other stakeholders getting into the detail, in particular the EPOS system, to ensure you understand the cost drivers of the business and can provide insight to non-finance colleagues.
About you
- Relevant financial qualification such as ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CFA/CFP, with evidence of own continuing professional development.
- Proven experience as a Finance Business Partner within retail accounting and working with EPOS systems and experience of stock accounting and control
- Experience of developing and monitoring an annual budget within a multi-cost centre environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholders and external agencies, so that objectives are met consistently, and change is introduced successfully.
- Ability to influence and partner with Senior Management and colleagues across the finance department.
- Good knowledge of the management accounting requirements of a retail environment. Understanding of charity retail accounting requirements, how VAT affects charities and Gift aid.
About Sense
We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.
Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.
To apply
Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.
Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.
No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.
If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 415 6735 or recruitment@sense.org.uk
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.
For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone\’s contribution is valued and we ensure they\’re given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/jobs/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-recruitment/
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Finance Business Partner employer: Sense
Contact Detail:
Sense Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial systems mentioned in the job description, particularly EPOS systems and Sun. Having a solid understanding of these tools will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the retail accounting sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may have insights into the role or the company. This can provide you with valuable information and potentially even a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with budget management and financial reporting in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully influenced decision-making in previous roles, as this is a key aspect of the Finance Business Partner position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Sense as an organisation, especially their mission and values. Understanding their commitment to inclusivity and support for individuals with complex disabilities will help you align your answers during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in finance, particularly in retail accounting and familiarity with EPOS systems. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in producing management accounts and working with budgets.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the mission of Sense. Explain how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your ability to communicate financial information to non-financial managers.
Highlight Key Skills: In your application, emphasise your qualifications such as CCAB and any ongoing professional development. Mention your experience in developing and monitoring budgets, as well as your interpersonal skills that enable you to build relationships with stakeholders.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you submit your application through the 'Apply now' button on the Sense website. Double-check that you have included all required documents and that your application is free from errors before hitting submit.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sense
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be prepared to discuss how you've used them in previous roles, especially in retail accounting.
✨Understand EPOS Systems
Since knowledge of EPOS systems is crucial for this role, make sure you can explain how you've worked with these systems in the past. Be ready to discuss any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about situations where you've had to challenge operational managers or present financial data to non-financial stakeholders, and prepare your responses.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Excellent communication is key in this role. Be prepared to provide examples of how you've built relationships with stakeholders and influenced decision-making in your previous positions. Practice articulating complex financial concepts in simple terms.
