Finance and Operations Manager (Together Liverpool)

The Church of England; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Together Liverpool is looking for a Finance & Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day finance function for the charity. The role combines bookkeeping with budgeting, management accounts, financial planning and funder reporting, supporting governance and internal systems.

The postholder will work independently within a small team, communicating financial information clearly to staff and trustees, and helping maintain controls and compliance across funds and projects.

Qualifications

• Experience managing day-to-day finance, including bookkeeping, budgeting, management accounts and forecasting.
• Experience with restricted fund/project accounting and reporting to grant funders.
• Experience preparing year-end information and working with an accountant, auditor or independent examiner.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day bookkeeping including invoices, expenses and bank reconciliations.
• Maintain accounting across unrestricted and restricted funds and project budgets.
• Produce monthly management accounts for the CEO and quarterly reports for trustees and Finance Committee.
• Lead annual budgeting and monitor cashflow and forecasts.
• Monitor expenditure against budgets and identify variances and risks.
• Maintain financial controls, policies and processes.
• Coordinate payroll, year-end activities and liaise with payroll provider.
• Support governance administration: trustee/Finance Committee meetings and papers.
• Maintain risk register and insurance renewals.
• Improve internal systems and connect project planning, finance and reporting.

Skills

Financial management

Bookkeeping

Budgeting

Forecasting

Excel

Education

AAT qualification or equivalent

Job description

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Finance & Operations Manager will lead the day-to-day finance function for Together Liverpool and provide practical support for the organisation’s governance and operational systems. Together Liverpool has an annual turnover of approximately £180,000–£200,000 and manages a number of restricted funds and projects. This is a hands‑on role combining bookkeeping with budgeting, management accounts, financial planning and funder reporting. Alongside finance, the postholder will support trustee and Finance Committee administration, organisational compliance and the development of simple, effective internal systems. The role would suit someone who is confident working independently within a small charity and able to communicate financial information clearly to staff and trustees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Financial management and reporting
• Carry out day-to-day bookkeeping, including invoices, expenses, income, payments and bank reconciliations.
• Maintain accurate accounting across unrestricted and restricted funds and project budgets.
• Produce monthly management accounts for the CEO and clear quarterly financial reporting for trustees and the Finance Committee.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and maintain cashflow and in-year forecasts.
• Monitor expenditure against budgets and identify emerging risks, underspends or overspends.
• Maintain appropriate financial controls, policies and processes.
• Funding, payroll and year-end
• Prepare project budgets and financial information for funding applications, working from outlines developed by the CEO and project leads.
• Prepare financial information for funder reports and claims, including more detailed reporting for major funders.
• Prepare year-end schedules and act as the main liaison with Together Liverpool’s accountant/independent examiner.
• Liaise with the outsourced payroll provider, providing and checking the information required for payroll and pensions.
• Governance and organisational support
• Coordinate trustee and Finance Committee meetings, including dates, papers, minutes and follow‑up actions.
• Maintain a calendar of key governance, financial and compliance deadlines.
• Support the maintenance of the organisational risk register and lead administration of insurance renewals.
• Maintain oversight of key supplier and contractual arrangements and renewal dates.
• Work with the CEO and project leads to improve internal systems and processes, particularly where project planning, finance and reporting need to connect effectively.

Person specification

Experience

• Experience of managing day-to-day finance, including bookkeeping, budgeting, management accounts and forecasting
• Experience of restricted fund/project accounting and financial reporting to grant funders
• Experience preparing financial information for year-end accounts and working with an accountant, auditor or independent examiner
• Experience preparing project budgets and financial information for funding applications
• Experience of charity or not-for-profit finance
• Experience Supporting Trustees, Committees Or Other Governance Arrangements

Desirable

Skills

• Strong financial management and numerical skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Confident using accounting software and Excel
• Ability to produce clear, accessible financial information and explain it to people without a finance background
• Strong organisation and prioritisation, with the ability to manage recurring deadlines across a number of projects and funds
• Able to work independently, identify issues early and develop practical solutions
• Comfortable reviewing and improving financial and organisational systems and processes

Knowledge, understanding and values

• Understanding of good financial controls and the requirements of restricted grant funding
• Understanding of the practical realities of working within a small organisation
• Understanding of the faith and charity sector
• Commitment to the values and purpose of Together Liverpool

Desirable

Qualifications

• AAT qualification, part-qualified accountancy qualification or equivalent relevant experience