Head of Finance - SORP Accounting

Description:

A superb opportunity to join a prestigious, globally renowned employer in the role of Qualified Accountant (essential to be fully qualified ACA/CIMA/ACCA and to have experience with SORP accounting principles.)

Leading and co-ordinating the planning and budgeting activity within overall framework and producing timely and accurate reporting against those plans; advising on options and financial analysis of strategic and operational plans
Ensuring the departments are properly resourced, in terms of people, knowledge, systems and procedures to ensure compliance with financial control and accounting requirements
Presenting financial plans to the Treasurer which properly balance company aspirations and priorities with its long-term financial viability
Advising the Treasurer on the cost implications of policy developments
Developing a suite of Management Accounts and KPIs
Scenario modelling to support the department’s plans
Main Tasks

Production of annual statutory accounts consistent with the requirements of the Charities SORP (FRS 102)
Manage audit and auditors – establish and maintain accounting and office procedures and ensure these are consistent with audit standards
Generate the annual statutory accounts and notes in a form suitable for submission to the Charity Commission and Companies House
Preparation of annual OfS statements for the University, as part of the annual reporting cycle
Leadership of the year end process to ensure timely and accurate completion

In conjunction with the Treasurer, develop annual budget and long-range forecasts for consideration by Finance Committee
Advise Finance Committee on the key accounting and finance issues
Ensure that budgets and long-range plans are in line with strategy
Provide leadership in the production and development of monthly management accounts.
Prepare and monitor balance sheets and oversee reconciliation processes.
Provide financial expertise in the development of existing systems and ad hoc financial reviews
Produce ad-hoc reports for Governing Body and other Committees
People Management

Manage the Accounts team consisting of Assistant Accountant, Accounts Payable Officer, the Payroll Officer, Student Finance Officer and Apprentice.
Carry out annual personal development reviews, develop staff and ensure all training needs are met
Work with the Development team on the recording of donations and donations forecast
Produce periodic information on the investment portfolio including the cash held within the short-term funds managed by the Investment Committee
Manage detailed Endowment and Restricted Fund accounts and liaise with Fund holders
Produce and assess the financial results of the department’s trading activities
Manage VAT between the department and subsidiary companies in a consistent manner, in line with current HMRC practice and guidance
Ensure fiscal and regulatory compliance and advise Finance Committee on any underlying issues
Oversee VAT returns.  Manage and review the company’s partial exemption method for VAT accounting
Manage day to day cash flow and banking
Perform regular review of banking and loan arrangements and service costs
Provide loan providers with Covenant and other Management information as required
Oversee maintenance of the fixed assets register
Ensure all disposals are properly authorised and accounted for
Assist the Treasurer in managing the Shared Equity scheme
With the support of the Payroll officer, manage the monthly payroll payments, P11Ds and P60s, pension payments and BiK
Person Specification

Essential

Qualified accountant (ICAEW, CIMA or ACCA) with at least 5 years post qualification experience, or equivalent.
Experience of leading, managing and developing a team.
Experience of preparing accounts under Charities SORP
Good systems skills, with advanced excel and use of reporting tools
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Pro-active approach and a hands-on attitude
Ability to build good working relationships with people across the company
Ability to both initiate and develop appropriate financial systems and to make these work in practice
Desirable

Working within a complex endowments and funds environment
An understanding of higher education
Experience of working in a commercial environment
INDH