Citizens Advice Barrow
Finance Manager
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Finance Manager
Job Description
Location: Ramsden Hall, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 5QW
Hours: 0.5 FTE (17.5 hours)
Salary: £40,000 per annum FTE, pro rata for part-time hours
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Main Purpose of the Job
Lead the operational and strategic financial management of Citizens Advice Barrow, ensuring that day-to-day finance functions are accurate, timely and well controlled.
Provide clear financial information, analysis and advice to the Chief Executive Officer and Trustee Board to support planning, decision-making and the charity's long-term financial sustainability.
Ensure that financial practice meets relevant legal, regulatory and accounting requirements and follows Citizens Advice national guidance.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Financial Accounting
- Preparation of quarterly management accounts, including Income and Expenditure Account and Balance sheet, together with commentary, to inform the Chief Executive and Trustee Board of financial progress throughout the year and to provide an explanation of any budget variances.
- Preparation of annual statutory accounts in line with applicable charity accounting requirements, including the Charities SORP, and liaison with the independent examiner or auditor as required.
- Prepare and process bank payments for supplier invoices and staff salaries in accordance with the charity’s financial controls and banking authorisation arrangements.
- The development of the charity’s financial system, currently QuickBooks.
- Maintenance of the fixed assets register and control over the charity’s assets.
- Development and maintenance of a sound system of financial processes and controls for day-to-day financial management in accordance with approved financial policies.
Budgeting and Reporting
- Lead and contribute to strategic financial planning, providing forward-looking advice on affordability, reserves, funding gaps, financial risks and the charity’s long-term sustainability.
- Preparation of the annual budget for approval by the Trustee Board.
- Maintain rolling income and expenditure and cash-flow forecasts, using appropriate financial planning tools to model different scenarios and support timely decisions.
- Report actual performance and forecast data to Citizens Advice in their prescribed format on a quarterly basis.
Cash Management
- Preparation of detailed weekly cash-flow forecasts, monitoring actual cash-flows and pro-actively chasing funders to ensure that grants are received on a timely basis.
- Ensure that all available cash is properly invested to maximise interest receivable, in line with our Investment Policy.
- Continuous updating of rolling cash flow forecasts.
- Make all bank transfers for supplier invoices and staff salaries.
Legal & Compliance
- Maintain records to meet the charity’s legal and tax obligations and liaise with the appropriate bodies.
- Support compliance with the relevant requirements of Companies House, the Charity Commission, HMRC, the Financial Conduct Authority and other applicable regulatory bodies and legislation.
- Keep financial policies and documented procedures accurate and up to date, and support their regular review by the Trustee Board.
- Support the Chief Executive Officer with the financial aspects of property leases, insurance and other significant contractual arrangements.
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Fundraising & Contract Performance
- Support the Trustee Board and Chief Executive Officer in the development of a funding strategy.
- Work closely with Chief Executive Officer on the preparation and evaluation of individual funding applications, applying full cost recovery principles.
- Provide financial and contract performance reports in accordance with timetable schedules agreed with individual funders. This may include liaison with other partners in joint funding bid scenarios.
- Monitor the financial performance of all contracts and alert Trustee Board to potential risks and opportunities.
Salaries and Pensions
- Maintain up to date staff records for salary payment including start/end date, sickness and extra hours and/or supplementary payments.
- Using an external payroll provider’s online system, process monthly salary payments and pension deductions having regard to the charity’s sick-pay policy.
- Provide financial modelling and affordability advice to support the Chief Executive Officer and Trustee Board in making decisions about annual salary increases.
- Apply incremental salary increases in line with approved salary scales and progression criteria.
- Process pension deductions and to liaise with staff regarding additional voluntary contribution options.
Professional Development
- Keep up to date with developments in charity finance, accounting standards, legislation and good practice, including the Charities SORP.
- Learn and apply the finance processes, procedures and guidance provided by Citizens Advice through the national intranet and other relevant resources.
- Identify personal training needs and attend appropriate training courses on skills, knowledge and legislative change.
- Prepare for, attend and contribute to appraisals, support and supervision sessions.
- Attend relevant internal and external meetings, including attendance at Trustee Board meetings.
Governance and Reporting
- Attend and report to Trustee Board and relevant committee meetings.
- Comply at all times with the processes and procedures required by Citizens Advice Barrow and Citizens Advice as described on our national Intranet.
- Maintain accuracy and integrity of our documented financial procedures.
- Supervise banking arrangements, including signatories.
- Support trustees to understand the charity's financial position, key assumptions, risks and decisions required.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
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- Uphold the aims, principles and equal opportunities policies of both Citizens Advice Barrow and the Citizens Advice service.
- Carry out any other relevant tasks as required to ensure the effective development of Citizens Advice Barrow and the delivery of its services.
Note: This job description does not constitute a ‘term and condition of employment’ and does not form part of the employment contract. It is provided only as a guide to assist the employee in the performance of their job. It is not intended to be an inflexible list of tasks and may be varied from time to time, in line with business objectives and service needs, after consultation and discussion with the post holder, in accordance with current policy and practice.
Person Specification
Essential criteria must be demonstrated through the application and selection process. Desirable criteria may be used to distinguish between candidates who meet the essential requirements.
Experience and Knowledge
- Accountancy qualification or part-qualified with significant experience. Essential
- Substantial experience in a finance or accounting role, including management accounts, year-end or statutory accounts and effective financial controls. Essential
- Experience of using financial planning tools to prepare budgets, cash-flow forecasts and scenario models. Essential
- Experience of managing day-to-day finance processes while providing forward-looking analysis and advice to senior managers, trustees or another governing body. Essential
- Experience in a charity or not-for-profit organisation, including knowledge of the Charities SORP. Desirable
- Experience of restricted and unrestricted funds, grant reporting and full cost recovery. Desirable
- Experience of QuickBooks or a comparable cloud-based accounting system. Desirable
Skills and Approach
- Sound knowledge of accounting principles and internal controls, with the ability to learn and apply charity accounting requirements and Citizens Advice national guidance. Essential
- Strong analytical and communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information clearly to people without a finance background. Essential
- Strong spreadsheet and digital skills, with confidence learning new systems and tools. Essential
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a part-time role. Essential
- High standards of accuracy, integrity, confidentiality and professional judgement, with the confidence to provide constructive challenge. Essential
- A collaborative approach and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service. Essential
Reasonable Adjustments
Citizens Advice Barrow welcomes applications from disabled people and will make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process where required.
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