Recruitment of FINANCE MANAGER

Transcription

1 THE WALCOT FOUNDATION Recruitment of FINANCE MANAGER April 2017 We are an independent grant-making foundation and charity with roots from the early 17th century. Our work is to break cycles of financial deprivation for people living in Lambeth. We offer a hand up, not a hand out, and seek to tackle poverty by creating opportunity Over the ten years to March 2017 we made grants amounting to almost 19 million. The Foundation s assets are currently valued just below 100 million. walcotfoundation.org.uk Ver

2 We are located close to the Imperial War Museum and within easy reach of stations at Lambeth North, Elephant & Castle and Waterloo 2

3 THE PERSON WE SEEK - SUMMARY 4 ABOUT THE JOB 4 Terms 4 Purpose of the Role 4 Job Description (Key Duties) 5 Person Specification (What We Are Looking For) 7 WORKING FOR THE FOUNDATION 8 Current structure 9 OTHER INFORMATION 9 Access 9 Evening duties 9 RECRUITMENT PROCESS 9 3

4 THE PERSON WE SEEK - SUMMARY We are looking for someone to join us as Finance Manager who has a real interest and commitment to the purpose of the Foundation can contribute astute financial expertise and judgment has the highest standards of personal integrity is diligent and precise in their work has the potential to be a valued member of our small team ABOUT THE JOB Terms The post is permanent and full time (35 hours a week) and is based at our offices at 127 Kennington Road London SE11 6SF. We are very close to the Imperial War Museum and a short walk from Lambeth North Underground Station (Bakerloo Line). Elephant & Castle and Waterloo stations are within easy walking distance. Salary is on a scale currently 40,785-52,071 (Spinal Column points 42-54). The salary starting point is dependent on experience. Annual progression along the scale is subject to appraisal. The Foundation contributes 10% of salary to an employee pension. The appointee will serve a six month probationary period. The post reports to the Director who is also Clerk to the Governors. Purpose of the Role The Finance Manager role really is crucial to the health and effectiveness of the Foundation s operation. The post-holder works closely with the Director, Grants Manager and Estate staff to oversee and manage all the Foundation s financial operations, ensuring that they are compliant, accurate, reliable and open to scrutiny. The Finance Manager plays a special role in relation to the Investment Committee and the Finance & General Purposes Committee, providing Governors with reliable information and analysis and assisting in the preparation of papers, reports and minutes. See structure on p9. The role is one of two senior roles reporting to the Director and with these two colleagues shares in the overall nurture and development of the Foundation. For this reason we are seeking someone interested in going beyond the confines of the specific role. Our Finance Manager needs to be a financial all-rounder (statutory accounts, management accounts, investments, VAT returns, payroll, routine receipts and payments etc) able to function without a finance team or other finance-trained colleagues. 4

5 Job Description (Key Duties) Financial corporate planning and governance 1 Preparation of annual budgets in discussion with the Director and Governors 2 Lead on monitoring and controlling spend against budgets 3 Monitor the alignment of the Foundation s assets with its Strategic Investment Policy 4 Ensuring that the Foundation conforms to all statutory requirements for financial reporting and the payment of taxes and all other requirements relating to the finances of charities 5 Lead on business continuity arrangements and insurances 6 Maintain and develop financial and investment performance indicators 7 Maintain, review and develop reliable and user-friendly financial management systems 8 Periodically review all financial policies, systems and procedures to ensure they are the best they can be and serve the Foundation well 9 Project-manage the preparation of the statutory Annual Report and Accounts in close consultation with the Director, Grants Manager and the auditors 10 To report annually to the Finance & General Purposes Committee on internal financial controls 11 To monitor the different funds and to propose any necessary reallocation of funds and to strictly maintain the integrity of the different funds (endowed, restricted etc) 12 Preparation of quarterly financial management reports for the Director and F&GP Committee and Board 13 Identify and control financial risks 14 Horizon scanning to alert the Director and Board to relevant new developments, opportunities and risks 15 Occasional Board and staff training to ensure financial awareness and capability. Routine financial management and administration 16 To administer full accruals accounts and financial systems for the Foundation with full fund accounting of assets, liabilities, income and expenditure. To include data entry on SAGE, bank reconciliations, managing weekly payment run, financial management of the Walcot Estate (including rent reviews and credit control), analysis and reporting on investments, quarterly VAT return 17 Maintain oversight of all expenditure, including grant payments, expenses claims, salaries and capital spend 18 Monthly reconciliation of all fund accounts 19 Bank and credit card accounts and transactions management 20 Day to day management of goods and services contracts, purchase orders and invoices 21 Administration of the payroll and auto-enrolment pension schemes 22 Administration of the Expenses Policy in relation to staff and Governors 23 Carry out other finance administration tasks as agreed and additional duties and tasks that may be required of the role 5

6 24 To deputise in the absence of the Director in liaison with, and the instruction of, fund managers and property agents, and in the granting of residential leases and related matters Tasks in relation to the Walcot Estate and other duties 25 Produce annual plans and budgets for maintenance of the Walcot Estate in discussion with the Surveyor and Director 26 Oversee the programme of planned maintenance of the Walcot Estate 27 Monitor refurbishment projects approved by Governors 28 Oversee response times to tenant maintenance requests 29 Advise on optimal rent levels for new tenancies based on research of local lettings market 30 Oversee the biennial review of registered rents 31 Give direction to the Estate Administrator as needed and in the absence of the Director 32 Maintain records of consents given under Restrictive Covenants 33 Maintain records of ad-hoc and planned arboricultural works to trees on the Estate 34 Oversee and as needed re-negotiate supplier contracts 6

7 Person Specification (What We Are Looking For) Professional Qualifications ESSENTIAL 1 Recognised finance qualification: ACA, ACCA or ACMA Knowledge & competence ESSENTIAL 2 Knowledge of financial systems (manual and computerised) and the production of financial reports including budgets and monthly/annual accounts, and commentaries; and performance and risk management information. 3 First rate competence in computerised financial accounting software packages and in Microsoft Excel for budgeting and financial modelling 4 Knowledge of HMRC, payroll and pension auto-enrolment processes and duties 5 Knowledge of VAT (preferably in relation to charities) 6 Knowledge of audits and auditing functions 7 Knowledge of charity law relating to finance DESIRABLE 8 Knowledge of Charity SORP (FRS 102) will be an advantage Experience ESSENTIAL 9 Accounting and financial administration 10 Demonstrable competence in using accounts packages DESIRABLE 11 Charity accounting and the legal requirements for charity accounts and financial management 12 Report writing and servicing committees 13 Networking with a variety of professionals 14 Experience of, or willingness to learn, the management of property maintenance and lettings Personal qualities 15 A high level of intellectual and analytical ability 16 An organised and methodical approach to work combining numerical accuracy with excellent attention to detail 17 Friendly, able to work within a small team and to relate appropriately in the role to a wide variety of people 18 Highly motivated and able to work on own initiative unsupervised, taking the responsibility for own work load 19 Able to meet deadlines 20 Committed to the objects and ethos of the Foundation 21 Opposed to all unlawful discrimination and someone who promotes equal opportunities 7

8 NB If you decide to apply please be sure to show how you meet the above requirements. It will assist your application and the shortlisting process if you show the relevant numbering in the person specification WORKING FOR THE FOUNDATION We re a small team, committed to the Foundation s work and its approach. Staff turnover is low, reflecting job satisfaction and a positive working environment. Relationships within the team and with Governors are good. We don t take these for granted and work at maintaining and nurturing them. There is an understanding of the different roles we play and in particular of the role of the Governors as charity trustees charged with ultimate responsibility for the stewardship of the Foundation, its assets and its purpose. Because we are a small team no post can be exclusively restricted to one area of work. All staff are expected to contribute to the team and to work flexibly as required by the Director. Each member is expected to support colleagues and to work co-operatively and to take an interest in all aspects of the Foundation s activity. Each member of the team is expected to make corporate contributions, commensurate with their post, to strategy and development for the furtherance of the Foundation s aims. All post holders are representatives of the Foundation and so must conduct themselves in such a way as to maintain and enhance its purpose and mission. Some information retained by the Foundation is of a confidential nature and staff members are required to treat this with care and discretion. Our principal function is to realise the Governors wishes for how we are to fulfil our 17th century charitable purpose (the relief of poverty in Lambeth) in the light of 21st century realities of social and financial exclusion. To find out more, please look around our website. The Foundation comprises four charities, two of which bear the name of our principal benefactor Edmund Walcot. Other charities have been subsumed over the years. We can trace our earliest roots to Our area of benefit is coterminous with Lambeth, an inner London local authority area. We are very fortunate in being an endowed charity where our assets generate our income. We manage these carefully and control our costs in order to maximise the sums we have for grantmaking. Our aim is to have a real impact on the lives of those we assist by improving their longterm employment prospects. An important aspect is our view of grantees as partners and not as recipients of charity. Many of those we help have reason to feel forgotten by society. Our aim is to build on the strengths they have and to restore their self-confidence. In all this the Finance Manager plays an important role. 8

9 Current structure BOARD OF GOVERNORS CHAIR OF GOVERNORS DIRECTOR INVESTMENT CTTE Grants Manager Finance Manager GRANTS CTTE Grants Officer Grants Officer Grants Administrator Estate Administrator FINANCE & GEN PURPOSES CTTE OTHER INFORMATION Access Our offices are situated in adjoining basements of two 18th century townhouses. Access is by steps, and once within the offices there are several changes in floor level. The role involves occasional visits to local properties with multiple changes in floor levels. Evening duties The Finance Manager is required to attend meetings of the Investment Committee (c4pa), the Finance & General Purposes Committee (c3pa) and the Board (c6pa). These take place in the Governors Boardroom from 6.30pm. There may be occasional other evening meetings. RECRUITMENT PROCESS We are operating a flexible recruitment process. Our aim is to have someone in place by Wednesday 3 May This allows one week s handover with our current Finance Manager before her retirement. Our preference is for a permanent appointment within these terms but we accept this might not be achievable. We are therefore keen to hear from suitably qualified applicants for an interim role to begin no later than 3 May or earlier and those interested in the permanent role. What you should do If you have general questions If you would like to speak informally to the Director about the role and the work of the Foundation please get in touch with Hugh Valentine on ( Monday to Friday) To apply for the interim role Complete the application form on our website at and return it by using the special link on the website as soon as you can 9

10 To apply for the permanent role Complete the application form on our website at and return it by to as soon as you can. We shall be identifying those we wish to meet and setting up preliminary initial meetings - as we receive applications so you should aim to submit your application as soon as you can. Those on a final shortlist for the permanent post will be interviewed by a panel that includes Governors. NB It is very important that you make clear how you meet the essential requirements of the role. This information will be the basis for deciding on informal and formal interviews. Thank you for your interest in this post and our work. Find out more about the Foundation, its history and scope at walcotfoundation.org.uk 10