Finance Manager

Cathedral Appointments | B Corp™; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 63,934,000 - 86,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Cathedral Appointments is recruiting a Finance Manager for a well-established, values-led charity in Exeter. The role is hands-on and leadership-focused, overseeing two senior coordinators, managing month-end, budgeting, reporting to the Trustee Board, and audit support.

Strong charity finance knowledge and VAT experience are essential. The position offers 35 hours per week, hybrid working in Exeter, and a temporary contract.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a finance management role.
• Experience managing monthly accounts, budgets, forecasts and cashflows.
• Knowledge of payroll processes and legislation.
• Knowledge of charity VAT including partial exemption.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Line management responsibility and business partnering remit.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day finance operations, including invoicing, payments, reconciliations, banking and month-end procedures.
• Partner with managers on budget planning, re-forecasting and resource management.
• Prepare reports for the Trustee Board and committees on financial planning and performance.
• Ensure HMRC VAT compliance for charity VAT and partial exemption, and advise on VAT queries.
• Oversee payroll and pension scheme administration, statutory returns and asset register.
• Lead and develop a team of two with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Support external and internal audit processes and implement recommendations.

Skills

Finance management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cashflow management

Payroll knowledge

Charity VAT

Finance business partnering

Leadership

Communication

Job description

£30 per hour | Temporary, 35 Hours per Week | Hybrid Working with Flexibility | Exeter

Cathedral Appointments is recruiting on behalf of a well-established, values-led membership charity based in Exeter, which is looking for a Finance Manager to join on a temporary basis. Reporting to the Head of Finance, the role leads the day-to-day finance operation and acts as a trusted business partner to managers across the organisation.

The Role

This is a hands-on leadership role, suited to an experienced finance manager who enjoys both running a well-controlled finance function and helping non-finance colleagues make confident decisions. You will manage two Finance Senior Co-ordinators, oversee the accounting system and month and year-end processes, and support budgeting, reporting to the Trustee Board and audit. A strong working knowledge of charity finance and VAT will be important from day one.

Responsibilities for the Finance Manager:

• Manage day-to-day finance operations, including invoicing, payments, reconciliations, banking and month and year-end procedures.


• Partner with managers and department heads on budget planning, re-forecasting and effective resource management.


• Assist in preparing reports and papers for the Trustee Board and its committees on financial planning and performance.


• Ensure compliance with HMRC VAT requirements, including charity VAT rules and partial exemption, and advise on VAT queries.


• Oversee accurate payroll and pension scheme administration, statutory returns and the asset register.


• Lead, coach and develop a team of two, with a strong focus on customer service and continuous improvement.


• Support external and internal audit processes and the implementation of recommendations.

Requirements for the Finance Manager include:

• Proven experience in a finance management role, with a focus on finance business partnering.


• Experience managing monthly accounts, budgets, forecasts and cashflows, and month and year-end processes.


• Knowledge of payroll processes and legislation, and of charity finance requirements.


• A strong understanding of charity VAT, including partial exemption.


• The ability to communicate financial information clearly to a non-finance audience and build relationships with senior leaders, trustees and external partners.


• Confidence using finance systems and digital tools to improve efficiency and drive continuous improvement.


• 35 hours per week, to be worked flexibly, with hybrid working.


• Line management responsibility and a genuine business partnering remit.


• The chance to contribute to a mission-driven charity with a collaborative, inclusive culture.

Equal Opportunities

Cathedral Appointments is committed to equal opportunities in recruitment. We welcome applications from all candidates and assess every applicant on merit, skills and experience alone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Note on Sponsorship:

We regret to inform you that at this time, we are unable to offer sponsorship for work authorisation for this role. Therefore, candidates must possess valid authorisation to work in the UK without requiring visa sponsorship.