Person Specification

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Understanding

• Full/Part qualified accountant from a recognised accounting body, or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience in operational finance management.
• Strong technical knowledge of finance operations, including purchase ledger, sales ledger, banking, reconciliations, control accounts, and financial controls.
• Detailed understanding of rent income accounting, customer account transactions, arrears-related reporting, and reconciliation requirements in a registered social landlord environment.
• Strong knowledge of payroll, pensions, HMRC requirements, statutory deductions, payroll controls, and related reconciliations.
• Knowledge of VAT and other tax implications relevant to finance transaction processing, rent income, and payroll services.
• Strong understanding of finance systems, workflow processes, procure-to-pay arrangements, data quality, system controls, and reporting requirements.
• Strong knowledge of people management, including setting clear objectives, managing performance, supporting development, and using 1:1s and personal development plans to improve service outcomes.
• Understanding of the operating context of registered social landlords.

Experience

• Extensive experience of managing operational finance services, including purchase ledger, sales ledger, banking, payment processing, reconciliations, and control account management.
• Experience of managing rent income accounting, customer account reconciliations, arrears-related financial information, and income control processes.
• Experience of leading payroll services and ensuring compliance with HMRC, pensions, statutory payroll requirements, and internal controls.
• Experience of improving finance systems, workflows, reporting, and controls to increase efficiency, data quality, compliance, and service performance.
• Experience of leading or supporting the implementation of procure-to-pay, finance workflow, or similar business systems, including process redesign, testing, training, adoption, and post-implementation improvement.
• Experience of developing performance reporting, service standards, and management information to monitor service quality and address areas of poor performance.
• Extensive experience of leading and managing teams, including setting objectives, developing colleagues, managing performance, and creating a positive, accountable, and customer-focused culture.
• Demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with operational teams, ICT, Procurement, HR, and external providers to improve financial processes, systems, and service outcomes.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong financial analysis skills, with the ability to interpret complex transaction, rent income, payroll, reconciliation, and control information.
• Strong systems and process improvement skills, with the ability to redesign workflows, strengthen controls, improve data quality, and reduce manual effort, duplication, and risk.
• Confident user of finance systems, payroll systems, housing systems, spreadsheets, and reporting tools for accounting, analysis, reconciliation, and control purposes.
• Effective project and change management skills, including planning, testing, stakeholder engagement, training, implementation support, and benefits realisation.
• Skilled people manager with the ability to lead, support, develop, and performance manage colleagues in operational finance teams.
• Strong influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to work effectively with Finance, HR, Housing, Procurement, ICT, operational teams, and external providers.
• Proactive problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, resolve queries, address poor performance, and drive sustainable improvements in service delivery.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial processes, system changes, and performance expectations to different audiences.

Personal Qualities

• Confident and accountable decision-maker who can balance sound financial judgement, system improvements, and service delivery priorities.
• Inclusive and supportive people leader who sets clear expectations, delegates effectively, and helps colleagues take ownership for service quality and performance.
• Proactive, improvement-focused, and comfortable leading change in systems, processes, and ways of working.
• Resilient and organised, with the ability to manage competing operational priorities, deadlines, and service pressures.
• Collaborative and customer-focused, with a commitment to building positive working relationships across teams and with external partners.
• Proven commitment to equality of opportunity, diversity, and inclusive service delivery and employment.

Additional Requirements

• Car driver/owner or ability to travel effectively and in a timely fashion throughout Torfaen.

How to Apply

If you are a collaborative finance leader who enjoys improving services, strengthening controls, and supporting teams to deliver high-quality operational finance services, we would welcome your application.

Work4 pilot

We are currently running a pilot of working a 4-day week (4DW). This is extended until the end of October 2026. The pilot will then be reviewed by our board before making a decision to extend or be made permanent.

Employee benefits:

People are our greatest asset at Bron Afon Community Housing, so we reward our colleagues with a fantastic benefits package:

• 23 days annual leave entitlement (exclusive of bank holidays)
• Social Housing Pension Scheme where Bron Afon will contribute 12% from day 1 of your employment
• Learning and Development investment to your career here at Bron Afon
• Health cash plan with Simply Health
• 24/7 free mental health support
• 24/7 free access to an online GP service
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Adoption pay
• Employee discount platform with access to retail, hospitality, days out, etc
• Occupational Health service
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• And FREE PARKING!

So, what are you waiting for? Apply today and good luck!

Please note once you begin your application, you will need to complete and submit it in the same session. We recommend that you have all relevant information and supporting documents ready before starting. If you leave the application before submitting, any information entered may not be saved.