Finance Manager

Waverley Abbey Trust; Farnham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization in Farnham is seeking a Finance Manager to oversee financial operations and support budget planning. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years' experience in finance management and a background in charity or higher education sectors. Responsibilities include monitoring financial transactions, preparing reports, and improving financial processes. Proficiency in Sage 200 and strong communication skills are essential. This role offers the opportunity to impact financial direction within a passionate team.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in finance management and accounting.
• Experience in charity and higher education sectors is desirable.
• Strong attention to detail in planning and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Monitor day-to-day financial operations.
• Assist the Finance Director in budgetary planning.
• Provide timely financial reports for senior managers.

Skills

Financial management

Budget planning

Communication

Organisational skills

Sage 200 proficiency

Education

Degree in accounting or finance management

Tools

Sage 200

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an amazing Finance Manager to join the Waverley Abbey team based in Farnham, Surrey! We are looking for an individual who is passionate about finance, loves systems and goes the extra mile to deliver efficiency and excellence. Working with our Finance Director, you will help to lead the financial direction of Waverley Abbey Trust embedding a culture of strong financial management, effective controls and efficient financial processes, overseeing all aspects of our day-to-day financial management. We need a strong communicator who is highly organised, adept at multi-tasking and prioritising amidst a busy environment; a great team player in a fast-paced organisation.

Responsibilities

• Monitor day-to-day financial operations within the company, including banking transactions, current and deposit accounts, reconciliations and authorisation of all payments, payroll, and other transactions.
• Ability to interpret complex financial information and provide updates and information as needed.
• Assist the Finance Director (FD) in organisation-wide budgetary planning.
• Monitor cash flow, bank accounts and financial transactions.
• Maintain efficient and rigorous financial administration including VAT returns, gift aid, legacies, payroll, the workplace pensions scheme, and staff credit card management.
• Maintain the fixed assets register and monthly depreciation of assets.
• Supervision and development of the Finance team to improve efficiency and working practices.
• Provide timely, accessible and useful financial reports for senior managers and other operational team members and proactively develop the quality and usefulness of financial reporting and communications to improve business performance.
• All external and internal obligations, accounts, budgets and forecasts are prepared and reported promptly, accurately and on time.
• Work with the FD and external accountants/auditors to manage the preparation and audit of end-of-year statutory accounts.
• Alongside the FD, ensure all organisational financial practices are in line with statutory regulations and legislation and evolve and ensure adherence to finance policies and procedures.
• Collaborate in the design and implementation of financial systems and process improvements.
• Stay up to date with changes to charity legal and financial responsibilities (e.g., Charity Commission and HMRC reporting requirements).

Qualifications & Requirements

• Preferable: Degree level qualification or ATT (or comparable) in accounting, finance management or similar.
• At least 10 years' experience in finance management and accounting.
• Senior Management experience.
• Experience in Charity and Higher Education sectors is desirable.
• High familiarity with Sage 200, Microsoft Office and computer-based accountancy packages.
• Experience of payroll administration including workplace pensions and leave provisions.
• Confident and clear communicator in both written and verbal forms of communication.
• Highly organised with superior attention to detail, especially in planning, report writing and budgeting.