Finance Manager

Action East Devon; Ottery St Mary; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Action East Devon is seeking a Finance Manager to lead the charity's finance function from Ottery St Mary. You will manage budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance with funders, providing timely information to managers and the Board.

The role requires AAT qualification or equivalent, experience with multiple budgets and grant funding, strong Excel skills, and experience with Sage. You will support governance and respond to audits while working closely with the Charity Manager and Trustees.

Qualifications

• AAT qualified or equivalent experience.
• Experience of financial management, budgeting and reporting.
• Experience with multiple budgets, funding streams, restricted and designated funds.
• Strong Excel and accounting software skills.
• Experience with charity finance and Sage.
• Experience working with trustees or management committees.
• Experience supporting an Audit or independent examination.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accounting records and financial systems.
• Monitor income, expenditure, cashflow and fund balances.
• Ensure transactions allocated across projects and funds.
• Process payments and bank reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and budget monitoring reports.
• Lead annual budgets and forecasts.
• Prepare cashflow forecasts and financial projections.
• Provide financial information to managers and trustees.
• Prepare year-end reconciliations and schedules.
• Liaise with the independent examiner and attend meetings.

Skills

AAT qualified

Financial management

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Grant funding

Trustee liaison

Education

AAT or equivalent

Tools

Sage

Excel

Job description

Action East Devon is a small charity based in Ottery St Mary providing non-clinical peer to peer support alongside one to one mentoring for young people who are experiencing emotional and mental health issues. The services offered by the charity are entirely free, the charity is funded by charitable trusts, local authorities, town councils and the community.

Job Purpose:

To manage the charity's finance function, budgeting and financial reporting, ensuring accurate records, compliance with funding requirements and the provision of timely financial information to support effective decision-making by managers and trustees. This is a new role following the retirement of our outsourced finance provider. The postholder will be expected to work independently, providing financial information, advice and support to the Charity Manager and Board of Trustees.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Management

• Maintain accounting records and financial systems.
• Monitor income, expenditure, cashflow and fund balances.
• Ensure transactions are correctly allocated across projects, grants and unrestricted activities.
• Process payments and complete bank reconciliations.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly management accounts and budget monitoring reports.
• Lead preparation of annual budgets and financial forecasts.
• Prepare cashflow forecasts and financial projections.
• Investigate and explain variances from budget.
• Provide financial information and advice to managers and trustees.

Grants and Projects

• Monitor grant budgets and restricted funds.
• Ensure expenditure complies with funder requirements.
• Prepare financial information for funders and grant reports.
• Prepare financial costings and information for funding applications.

Year End and Governance

• Prepare year-end reconciliations and supporting schedules.
• Liaise with the independent examiner and provide information as required.
• Attend Trustee Board and Finance Committee meetings
• Support trustees and managers with financial decision-making.

Personal Specification

Area

Essential

Desirable

Experience and Qualifications

• AAT qualified or equivalent experience.
• Experience of financial management, budgeting and reporting.
• Experience of working with multiple budgets, funding streams, restricted and designated funds.
• Strong Excel and accounting software skills.
• Experience of charity finance.
• Experience of Sage.
• Experience of working with trustees or management committees.
• Experience of supporting an Audit or independent examination.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and take responsibility for the charity's finance function.
• Organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of Charity Commission and Company Law requirements.
• Knowledge of grant reporting.
• Knowledge of Charity SORP requirements.

Other

• Integrity and discretion.
• Reliable and organised.
• Collaborative approach.
• Commitment to Action East Devon’s mission and values.
• Basic DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain).
• Clean driving licence and access to own vehicle.