Co-operatives UK
Finance Manager
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Contract: Permanent Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week, with hybrid working (at least 2 days per week in the Manchester office). We welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time arrangements from 21 hours per week or more – please let us know your preferred working hours in your application. Salary: £50,455 per annum (FTE) Location: Holyoake House, Manchester
We are delighted to share this new and exciting opportunity for a Finance Manager to join our organisation.
As the voice of the UK’s co-operative movement, we empower and support co-operative enterprise with specialised knowledge and expertise, to grow the co-operative economy and create a fairer society. From football clubs and farms to convenience stores and pubs, there are more than 7,000 co-operatives in the UK, each owned and controlled by their members and based on a set of shared principles and values. By promoting shared wealth through member ownership, we are committed to enable anyone in the UK to form, or join, thriving and sustainable co-ops.
As Finance Manager, you will own the delivery of financial compliance, reporting and planning for Co-operatives UK. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will provide leadership within the finance function, ensuring the accurate and timely production of management accounts, budgets and forecasts. You will focus on technical review, strategic financial analysis, Board reporting and business partnering with senior stakeholders, supporting effective organisational decision-making.
As an organisation we are led by our unwavering values of solidarity, self-responsibility, equity, and honesty, therefore if you share these core values, we would be delighted to receive your application.
Core responsibilities
We invite all interested parties to learn more about the role and our organisation within the recruitment pack, which can be downloaded from the recruitment documents section.
Management Reporting, Budgeting and Forecasting
- Review and quality-assure monthly management accounts prepared by the Financial Controller, ensuring they meet a high standard and are circulated to budget holders and the CEO within agreed deadlines.
- Own the strategic commentary and analysis accompanying management accounts for the COO (and CEO review), drawing on first-line analysis and schedules prepared by the Financial Controller.
- Own the annual budget process and periodic reforecasts end-to-end, setting the timetable, assumptions and format; direct the Financial Controller in preparing supporting schedules and analysis; present final outputs to the COO and CEO for review and sign-off.
- Direct the development of financial models to support budgeting, forecasting, pricing and scenario planning, drawing on schedules and analysis prepared by the Financial Controller, and present recommendations to the COO and LT.
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Board & Subcommittee Reporting and Governance
- Prepare financial performance and planning papers and reports for the Board and Audit and Risk Committee, and Leadership Team.
- Work with the COO to develop, review and maintain financial policies and procedures.
Line Management and Ownership of Finance Delivery
- Line manage the Financial Controller.
- Own the relationship with the external bookkeeping support provider, taking full responsibility for the accuracy and timeliness of transactional finance activity delivered (including purchase and sales ledgers, bank reconciliations and finance mailbox).
- Act as the escalation point for finance queries that cannot be resolved directly by the Financial Controller or bookkeeping provider.
Financial Control and Systems
- Own the design of robust financial controls, processes and reconciliations across all balance sheet and nominal codes, directing the Financial Controller in maintaining and executing these day-to-day.
- Own the ongoing development and effective use of finance systems (Xero) to improve efficiency, reporting capability and data quality.
- Responsible for tax compliance (VAT, payroll and corporation tax returns, prepared and submitted by the Financial Controller and external tax advisors), ensuring returns are on time and correct.
Statutory Accounts
- Draft the annual statutory accounts ("back half" of the Annual Report) to agreed audit timescales for COO and Auditor review.
- Review year-end working papers and analysis prepared by the Financial Controller for the external auditor, and take responsibility for responding to technical or judgement-based audit queries.
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Business Partnering
- Act as the finance business partner for senior budget holders and Leadership Team members including the CEO, building regular, proactive relationships and with the approval and support of the COO providing judgement-based support on complex financial matters.
- Set the framework and standards for day-to-day business partnering delivered by the Financial Controller to individual budget holders and departments, ensuring consistent, high-quality support tailored to each team's level of financial understanding.
- Meet regularly with senior budget holders to review financial position, challenge assumptions constructively, and support strategic decision-making (day-to-day budget holder support is provided by the Financial Controller).
- Take responsibility for complex or judgement-based financial analysis and advice to support departmental and project-level decision-making, drawing on analysis prepared by the Financial Controller where appropriate.
- Develop financial input to organisational strategy, pricing, and business development activity, working with the COO and CEO on final recommendations.
Essential skills
- Qualified finance professional (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)
- Proven experience in leading the delivery of high-quality management reporting, budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis to support organisational decision-making
- Strong governance and financial control mindset, and proficiency in developing, maintaining and improving financial systems, policies and processes
- Effective business partnering and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credible relationships and provide professional financial advice to senior budget holders and the Leadership Team
- Sound knowledge of statutory financial reporting, external audit processes and tax compliance requirements
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and confidently to a range of audiences
- Exceptional organisational skills, demonstrating strong attention to detail while effectively managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines
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