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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and management for a vibrant music and education venue.
- Company: Join Wiltshire Music Centre, a hub for creativity and community engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to shape financial strategy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the arts while driving financial success.
- Qualifications: Professional finance qualification and strong experience in financial management.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth in the arts sector.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Wiltshire Music Centre is looking for a Head of Finance to drive financial strategy, ensure robust financial management, and provide clear insight to support decision-making across all areas of activity of our music and education venue. This role sits on our Senior Leadership Team.
Responsibilities
- Financial Management & Reporting
- Lead preparation of management accounts, cash flow forecasts, and variance analysis.
- Produce quarterly finance reports and manage month end processes and reports.
- Oversee preparation of the annual statutory accounts and audit.
- Maintain a clear reserves policy and monitor cash flow.
- Administer finances raised through fundraising campaigns, donations, sponsorship and grants, and claim back Gift Aid from HMRC.
- Prepare and process VAT returns, handling partial exemption when applicable.
- Be the first point of contact for any HMRC query.
- Budgeting & Strategy
- Coordinate the annual budgeting process across departments.
- Provide financial modelling and analysis for strategic planning and fundraising bids.
- Support the Executive Director and trustees in scenario planning and long-term forecasting.
- Advise on risk management and internal controls.
- Operations & Systems
- Oversee day-to-day finance operations (invoicing, payments, payroll, expenses, reconciliations).
- Maintain accurate event and project accounts, reconciling Box Office data to financial systems.
- Ensure efficient provision and use of merchant services and card payment solutions.
- Manage and improve financial systems e.g. Sage.
- Work closely with Executive Director to track restricted and unrestricted funds.
- Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with the Charities Act, Companies Act, and funder requirements.
- Prepare data and documents as required for reporting to key funders.
- Prepare finance reports and dashboards for board meetings.
- Liaise with external accountants, auditors, and the Charity Commission.
- Support the Treasurer and Finance & Resource Committee and attend board meetings as required.
- Organisational strategy and growth
- Work collaboratively to identify strategic opportunities for growth.
- Accurate and timely monthly management accounts and Board reports.
- Month end processes timely and fulsome.
- Annual budget, forecasts, and audited statutory accounts.
- Effective cash flow and investment management.
- Clear, concise financial insight to support strategic decisions.
- Strong financial controls, policies, and risk management processes.
- A financially informed, confident leadership team.
Qualifications
- Professional qualification (or part-qualified) such as ACA / ACCA / CIMA / CIPFA, or equivalent.
- Strong financial and accounting experience within a Finance Department covering all relevant functions.
- Excellent budgeting, forecasting, and analytical skills.
- Knowledge of Charity SORP and statutory charitable reporting and accounts preparation.
- Technical knowledge of tax matters (VAT and PAYE).
- Experience of managing VAT and gift aid for a charity.
- Experience with Sage or another cloud-based accounting platform.
- High attention to detail and ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.
- Desirable: Experience with arts, education, or cultural sector charities.
- Desirable: Experience working with fundraising and grant-making bodies, including an understanding of restricted funds, grant management and project reporting.
- Desirable: Experience of box office systems.
Head of Finance in Bradford-on-Avon employer: Wiltshire Music Centre
Contact Detail:
Wiltshire Music Centre Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Bradford-on-Avon
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance sector! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and its financial strategies. Think about how your skills align with their needs, especially in areas like budgeting and compliance. Practice common interview questions and be ready to showcase your analytical skills and experience with financial systems.
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance, demonstrate your financial expertise through case studies or examples from your past work. Highlight your experience with charity SORP and managing funds, as this will resonate well with organisations like Wiltshire Music Centre. Make sure they see you as the go-to person for financial insight!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for job listings! Applying directly through our platform not only streamlines the process but also shows your commitment to joining our team. Plus, we love seeing familiar names pop up in our applications!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Bradford-on-Avon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Finance role. Highlight your financial management experience and any relevant qualifications like ACA or ACCA. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your budgeting and forecasting skills, and how you've driven financial strategy in previous positions. Let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, emphasise your analytical skills and experience with financial modelling. We’re looking for someone who can provide clear insights to support decision-making, so don’t hold back on sharing your successes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Wiltshire Music Centre!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wiltshire Music Centre
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key financial metrics and reports relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss your experience with management accounts, cash flow forecasts, and variance analysis. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the numbers but can also provide valuable insights.
✨Understand the Charity Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial regulations and reporting requirements for charities, especially the Charity SORP. Being able to speak knowledgeably about compliance and governance will demonstrate your readiness to handle the responsibilities of the Head of Finance.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've contributed to budgeting processes and strategic planning in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with financial modelling and scenario planning, as this will be crucial for supporting the Executive Director and trustees.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll need to convey complex financial information to non-financial colleagues, practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms. Bring along examples of reports or dashboards you've created that effectively communicate financial insights to diverse audiences.
