Sustainable Food Trust
Finance Manager
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About Us
The Sustainable Food Trust is a UK charity working to accelerate the transition to sustainable food and farming systems that support climate, nature, and health. We bring together policy, research, communications, and partnerships to help build a fairer food system that nourishes people and the planet.
Position Summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and proactive Finance Manager to play a central role in supporting the financial function of the Sustainable Food Trust as our work grows in reach and impact. You will help ensure that our financial systems, reporting, and controls are robust, efficient, and insightful, enabling colleagues and trustees to make confident decisions and focus resources where they can make the greatest difference.
Key Responsibilities
Please note that the role encompasses both UK and US finance responsibilities, including financial administration, reporting, compliance, and liaison with external advisors, as detailed in the job tasks list.
UK Finance
- Policies, procedures, and systems: Oversee and implement financial policies and systems to ensure appropriate financial controls and facilitate budget management, analysis, and reporting.
- Budgets: Compile the SFT’s annual budget in consultation with the Executive Director and budget holders. Oversee the allocation of resources to ensure that the SFT can work towards its mission while maintaining sufficient financial reserves and ensuring the appropriate handling of restricted and unrestricted funds.
- Bookkeeping and financial administration: Keep the company books up to date using QuickBooks, and carry out general financial duties, including making deposits, monitoring bank accounts, supervising payroll, managing invoices and expenses using Dext, making payments, and carrying out monthly bank reconciliations in line with the financial procedures.
- Management accounts: Provide management accounts, project budgets, financial analysis, and cash flow forecasts to staff and the Board to facilitate decision-making.
- Fundraising support: Attend fortnightly funding meetings and provide support to the fundraising team to facilitate the inclusion of financial information in funding applications and grant reports. Oversee the grant start process, arranging meetings with account holders as appropriate.
- Accountants and auditors: Maintain relationships with external accountants and consultants, and arrange the annual audit.
- Compliance: Keep abreast of financial regulations and legislation, and ensure compliance with external agencies, including Companies House and the Charity Commission. Prepare and submit the annual report and accounts, annual return, and any other returns that may be required.
- Strategy and financial analysis: Work with the Executive Director to provide in-depth financial analysis, including through ongoing improvements to a dashboard of financial health measures.
- Investments: Make periodic recommendations for the investment of reserves.
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US Finance
- Bookkeeping and financial administration: Responsible for the day-to-day bookkeeping and reconciliation of bank accounts, ensuring accurate financial records and timely processing of payments.
- Grants: Coordinate grant payments, including international transfers.
- Accounts and compliance: Prepare management accounts as required and liaise with external accountants to support the preparation of annual statutory accounts, IRS Form 990, and other regulatory requirements.
Other
- Board meetings: Work closely with the Executive Director to support Board meetings, including the preparation of financial and other papers.
- Risk management: Work with colleagues to identify financial and other risks to the organisation and contribute to the SFT’s Risk Register.
- Operations schedule: Work with the Operations Manager to maintain and carry out the actions in the operations checklist.
- Carry out other tasks that may reasonably be considered to fall within the remit of the role.
Selection Criteria
Qualifications
- Educated to A-Level, degree level, or equivalent relevant experience.
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above.
- AAT qualification, part-qualified accountant, or equivalent experience in finance or accounting.
- Experience of financial management, budgeting, and financial reporting.
- Good understanding of accounting processes, financial controls, and financial systems.
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Relevant Experience and Skills
- Strong knowledge of charity accounting, including the application of SORP requirements and best practice in charity financial management.
- Experience of maintaining accurate financial records, bookkeeping, and accounts administration.
- Proven ability to carry out bank reconciliations, monitor cash flow, and manage day-to-day financial transactions.
- Experience of developing, implementing, and overseeing financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Skilled in budget preparation, monitoring, forecasting, and variance analysis.
- Experience of producing, interpreting, and presenting financial information and performance measures to support effective decision-making, reporting, and strategic planning.
- Experience of using accounting and expense management systems, including QuickBooks and Dext, or similar financial software packages.
- Knowledge of charity financial operations in the United States, including grant management, compliance requirements, and the financial processes needed to support effective charitable activities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and external partners.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work, with the confidence to communicate with authority while maintaining sensitivity, professionalism, and a positive attitude.
- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently and take initiative when required.
- Exceptional attention to detail, with a proven ability to produce accurate work in a fast-paced environment.
- Sound judgment, analytical thinking, and strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions.
- Commitment to SFT principles and ethos.
To apply, please send your CV to office@sustainablefoodtrust.org
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