Finance Manager

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland seeks a Finance Manager to oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, restricted fund management, audit, and year end processes. The role also leads investment oversight, HR administration, and operational workflows, with a focus on modernising financial systems and digital processes for efficiency and good governance.

The Finance Manager will liaise across the Society, act as senior financial adviser to the Director, Treasurer, SMT and trustees, and

Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Lead financial strategy, reserves planning, long term forecasting and financial modelling.
• Financial Governance and Compliance: Ensure compliance with OSCR, HMRC, SORP, VAT, PAYE and statutory reporting requirements.
• Audit and Year End: Lead preparation of year end accounts and manage the audit process.
• Investment Oversight: Liaise with investment managers and oversee investment reporting and reserve fund monitoring.
• Management Reporting: Produce monthly management accounts, departmental reports and restricted fund reconciliations.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Lead annual budgeting with SMT, Director and Treasurer, monitor budgets and variances.
• Restricted Fund Oversight: Ensure reconciliations and donor reporting for restricted funds.
• HR Oversight: Oversee HR administration and payroll-related financial planning.
• Operational Oversight: Oversee procurement, supplier management and digital workflows.
• Leadership: Line manage the Finance & Operations Officer and provide financial guidance to SMT and trustees.

Job description

The role oversees financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, restricted fund management, audit and year end processes, investment oversight, HR administration, and operational workflows. It also supports the modernisation of financial systems and digital processes to ensure efficiency and good governance.

The Finance Manager liaises with all areas of the Society and acts as the senior financial adviser to the Director, Treasurer, SMT and trustees. They attend and provide reports to the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and Council, attend SMT meetings as required, and line manage the Finance and Operations Officer.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Lead financial strategy, reserves planning, long term forecasting and financial modelling.
• Embed financial insight into organisational decision making across all departments.
• Provide financial analysis and advice to SMT, Director, Treasurer and trustees.
• Support the modernisation of financial systems, digital workflows and reporting structures.

Financial Governance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OSCR, HMRC, SORP, VAT, PAYE and statutory reporting requirements.
• Lead statutory submissions including OSCR returns, HMRC filings and annual compliance documentation.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, including segregation of duties, dual authorisation and documented procedures.
• Lead development and annual review of finance policies, SOPs and internal control frameworks.

Audit and Year End

• Lead preparation of year end accounts and manage the audit process.
• Liaise with auditors, ensuring timely provision of information and implementation of post audit adjustments.
• Present audited accounts to Council and ensure compliance with statutory deadlines and reporting cycles.

Investment Oversight

• Liaise with investment managers.
• Oversee investment reporting, reserve fund monitoring and alignment with financial strategy.
• Ensure investment movements and dividends are accurately recorded.

Management Reporting

• Produce monthly management accounts, departmental reports, restricted fund reconciliations and projections.
• Provide quarterly financial reports to trustees, including trend analysis, variances and strategic indicators.
• Oversee accuracy and integrity of financial data within Sage and integrated systems.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead annual budgeting with SMT, Director and Treasurer.
• Provide monthly budget monitoring, variance analysis and recommendations for corrective action.
• Support project managers with financial planning for restricted fund applications and reporting.

Restricted Fund Oversight

• Ensure accurate reconciliations, funder aligned reporting and compliance with donor conditions.
• Support fundraising staff with financial information for bids, stewardship and donor reporting.

HR Oversight

• Oversee HR administration delivered by the Finance & Operations Officer.
• Ensure accurate timesheet collation, leave management, staff records and compliance with HR policies.
• Support SMT with HR-related financial planning including salary budgeting and workforce planning.
• Liaise with external HR providers as required.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee procurement, supplier management and administrative workflows.
• Ensure operational systems support efficiency, compliance and digital working.
• Provide oversight of membership financial processes within S360 and ensure financial integration with Sage.

Leadership

• Line manage the Finance & Operations Officer, providing direction, support and professional development.
• Provide financial guidance to SMT, trustees and project leads.
• Attend SMT, Finance, Audit & Risk Committee and other committees as required.
• Champion a culture of financial accountability, continuous improvement and organisational efficiency