Head of Finance

Job responsibilities

• The postholder will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and will contribute to the strategic and operational leadership of the Hospice. The postholder will specifically lead the finance function and will be responsible for providing a full financial management reporting and advisory service to Chief Executive and Board ensuring the Hospices finances are accurately and appropriately accounted for. This will include the provision of regular financial performance information, along with supporting explanation and advice, as well as supporting operational managers in developing and implementing effective budgetary management.
• They will oversee all financial aspects of the business and in collaboration with the Executive team and Board of Trustees, drive the hospices financial strategy including mitigation of financial risks.
• The postholder will directly manage the finance team and ensure the production of timely and high-quality financial management information. The postholder will also be responsible for all aspects of financial control and fraud prevention. The postholder will work in close collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team to support organisational projects including the review of systems and information technology, with reference to finance, payroll and workforce to ensure the effective development and implementation of an organisational digital strategy.

Main duties and responsibilities

Professional

1. Ensure that the organisation maximises its financial performance across the broad range of activities including long-term financial planning, working with the Board of Trustees on the management of the investment portfolio and a strategy for the property portfolio.

2. Manage the finance function, implementing and maintaining robust financial controls

3. Manage the Hospices Payroll and Finance function to ensure that calculations are accurate and that payment is timely.

4. Interpret relevant national and local guidance relating to finance matters, developing and implementing policies, procedures and protocols to enable the achievement of performance objectives and good governance.

Specific Finance Responsibilities

1. Prepare accurate management accounts to required timelines ensuring key controls and monthly balance sheet reconciliations are in place and effectively managed.

2.Prepare accurate and timely financial data for the Executive Team, Board of Trustees and subcommittees.

3. Be responsible for the preparation of the annual accounts.

4. Support the Hospices annual audit, liaising with and assisting auditors to ensure completion on a timely basis.

5. Prepare regular cashflow forecasts ensuring the Chief Executive and is apprised of cash flow requirements.

6. Calculate and produce the annual financial budget in collaboration with budget holders and the Chief Executive.

7. Produce regular financial forecasts as required.

8. Ensure robust financial processes in line with Charity Commission guidance.

9. Support the Hospice in contractual negotiations with subsequent monitoring/ reporting to ensure optimal benefit.

10. Complete and submit accurate quarterly VAT returns within the required timeframe.

11. Complete and submit monthly Gift Aid claims ensuring compliance with all legislation.

12. Manage banking arrangements and working capital.

13. Monitor and report on investment performance to the Finance & Investment committee at agreed intervals in collaboration with the Investment Managers.

14. Participate in the service development agenda, providing financial advice for the development of business cases and strategic and operational plans.

15. Develop and monitor cost efficiency programmes and report on progress to management

16. Work with the Chair of the Finance & Investment committee, prepare relevant papers and reports to ensure regular oversight of financial performance and transparency of use of charitable funds.

17. Work with the Chief Executive, identify areas of risk and develop mitigation plans, ensuring prompt escalation.

Managerial

1. Keep the Chief Executive and Executive team informed of developments within areas of responsibility.

2. The postholder will have day-to-day operational management responsibility for the Finance team.

IT

Essential

• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Familiarity with accounting packages

Qualifications

Essential

• -Professional accountancy qualification
• -Full membership of a UK recognised professional accountancy body

Desirable

• -Further Management qualification
• -Educated to degree level or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Expert knowledge of financial procedures
• Experience of reviewing and changing financial procedures
• Knowledge and experience of audit process
• Recent and relevant operational and strategic management experience at a senior level to include Finance
• Managing and leading a finance department/function
• Sound understanding of financial processes including budget management, forecasting, day-to-day income and expenditure processes, monthly reporting and year end processes.
• Able to prioritise diverse workload with competing priorities to meet targets and deadlines
• Collaborative working style and experience of leading a successful team
• Clear understanding of legal framework governing charity accounting
• Experience of working with and advising Board/Trustees and senior managers
• Development of performance measures and balanced scorecard
• Experience of reviewing organisational structures and business processes
• Management of projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Business case preparation and presentation
• Ability to develop innovative and creative solutions

Desirable

• Recent and relevant operational and strategic management experience at a senior level to include IT, SIRO and Health & Safety.
• Experience in a commissioning or contract management role
• Understanding of hospice philosophy
• Knowledge of national policy agenda relating to hospices
• Knowledge of the key policy drivers and challenges facing the third sector, health, and social care sector
• Experience of managing legacy administration
• Sage Line 50 / Microsoft Dynamics Accounting Software
• Sage Payroll Software
• E roster and HR database systems linked to payroll specifically SMI StaffCare

Personal

Essential

• Confidence and maturity
• Self-motivating and open to flexible
• working
• Resilience, ability to work under pressure and keep to deadlines
• "Can do" attitude and the determination to succeed

Communication

Essential

• Excellent communication and presentation skills including the ability to build rapport and credibility across multiple stakeholders, internally and externally at all levels
• Excellent networking and influencing skills at all levels
• Ability to build good relationships and lead a team effectively
• Well-developed report writing and analytical skills

Other

Essential

• Be prepared to assist with Hospice fundraising activities
• Full driving licence, access to car and willingness to travel off site as required

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).