HEAD OF FINANCE

The Gurkha Welfare Trust; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization is seeking a Head of Finance located in Salisbury. The successful candidate will oversee financial management, including budgeting and reporting, compliance, and governance. Applicants should be a qualified accountant with senior management experience, particularly in the charity sector, and possess strong leadership skills. Knowledge of finance systems is preferred, and the role involves regular liaison with key stakeholders and managing a finance team.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant with ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent is essential.
• Proven senior-level financial management experience is required.
• Experience in third sector is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Trust's finance function ensuring robust financial control.
• Prepare quarterly management accounts for Finance Committee.
• Monitor Trust’s financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities.

Skills

Qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent)

Track record in financial management at a senior level

Experience in the charity or third sector

Experience of accounting data processing

Attention to detail

Leading a team

Education

Qualified Accountant

Tools

PS Financials

Job description

The Head of Finance is a key member of the Senior Management Team responsible for the Trust’s financial management including; financial and management accounts, financial planning and budget submissions, forecasting and cashflow management, compliance and financial governance and the statutory accounts and audit. The produces group accounts comprising the GWT charity and the wholly owned trading subsidiary, GWT Trading Ltd. The GWT charity includes the UK based headquarters, fundraising team and two welfare advice centres, and GWT (Nebal), which is responsible for delivering the majority of charitable activities directly in Nepal. Supported by the Finance Director GWT (Nebal), Head of Finance is responsible for reporting on the financial performance of the Trust to the CEO and the Audit and Finance Committees.

Secretary of the Investment Committee and the key interface between the two Investment Managers and the Investment Committee Chair and members.

Head of profession, providing leadership and professional mentoring and development to the finance teams in the UK and Nepal.

The Trust is looking to introduce a new finance system within the next 12 months, under the direction of Head of Finance.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

This role’s primary responsibilities will be as follows :

1. Financial Leadership and Control

• Day to day responsibility for the Trust’s finance function ensuring robust financial control, accurate reporting, and effective systems that underpin the charity’s strategic ambitions and operational delivery.
• Advising Trustees on all aspects of the Trust’s financial performance and position including that of GWT(N).
• Provide financial advice in support of the strategic direction of the Trust.

2. Financial Management and Control

• Preparation of the quarterly management accounts with supporting commentary for the Finance Committee and Trustees.
• Monthly Group consolidation, including Balance Sheet and P&L revaluations and review of completeness of management accounts.
• Payroll management for all GWT UK staff including salaries, pension contributions and medical insurance. Ensuring the correct application and reporting of statutory allowances to HMRC through monthly RTI reports.
• Cashflow management.
• Investments : key interface with Investment Managers (Sarasin & Partners LLP and CCLA), and ensuring the correct accounting and reporting of in-period movements within PS Financials.
• Constructive Obligation : Review annual assumptions and options for agreement by the Audit Committee. Liaise with the actuary (located in India) for annual valuation.

3. Financial Reporting and Audit

• Preparation of the Trust’s annual budget and 10-year income & expenditure and investment assessment with supporting schedules for submission to the Finance Committee and Trustees.
• In liaison with HR, evaluate and present options for UK staff annual salary awards.
• Monitor Trust’s financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities for performance improvement.
• Prepare GWT and GWT Trading Ltd statutory accounts in accordance with Charities SORP and Charity Commission requirements and with supporting schedules for audit purposes. Maintain reserve policies, presenting changes for Audit Committee approval.
• Lead for ensuring the correct adoption of SORP 26, with specific focus on the changes in lease accounting.
• In liaison with Comms & Digital Manager, oversee the preparation of the Annual Report for Trustee approval.

4. Compliance and Governance

• Responsibility for maintaining an appropriate system of internal control within the Trust. Lead for the contracted UK Internal Audit capability and provide advice and support to GWT(N) Internal Auditor.
• Lead for Counter Fraud Policy and fraud awareness.
• Responsibility for accounting policies and procedures throughout the Trust, ensuring they are up to date and in accordance with current best practice and regulatory and Charity Commission requirements.

5. Financial Guidance and Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain regular liaison with the Treasurer and Auditor.
• Liaise with HMRC as required on all aspects of the Trust’s accounts.
• Providing an external interface with banks, auditors, pension funds, investment managers, consultants and charity finance specialists.
• Lead for negotiating the annual Support and Medical Grant-in-Aid (GIA) with MOD and providing quarterly performance reporting.
• Provide financial advice and support to all members of staff within their areas of responsibility including assisting with the financial aspects of grant applications, contract negotiations and project proposals and to provide guidance on HMRC, Charity Commission and other regulations.

6. Leadership and Line Management

• Line management responsibility of Financial Accountant who has day-to-day responsibility for financial transactions and input to PS Financials.
• Provide financial advice and support to Finance Director GWT(N).
• Ensuring the continued profession development of all finance staff.
• Secretary to Audit Committee and Investment Committee.

Key Skills, Qualifications and Knowledge, and Personal Attributes

Applicants for this position should be able to satisfy the following criteria :

Essential :

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Track record in financial management at a senior level
• Experience of working in the charity or third sector at a senior level
• Understanding of how an organisation’s strategic direction is supported by its financial framework
• Experience of accounting data processing and report generation using current business intelligence (BI) and reporting packages in addition to Excel
• Ability to work both strategically and operationally
• Track record in managing direct reports including effective delegation, coaching and performance management
• Attention to detail while being able to see the big picture
• Leading a team

Desirable :

• PS Financials
• Experience of implementing a new finance system within an organisation

Queries

If you have any questions over the job description or terms and conditions, please get in touch with us. Please note we may close this vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.