Whsf - Finance Manager

William Henry Smith School; Calverley; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

William Henry Smith Foundation is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead the financial operations, ensure robust controls, and provide accurate financial processing and reporting within a complex, purpose-driven organisation.

Reporting to the Finance Director, you will manage a finance team, oversee income, expenditure, payroll interfaces and reconciliations, and ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures while driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant with strong financial controls.
• Experience in budgeting and forecasting for a complex organisation.
• Proficient in Excel and financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operation of the foundation's finance function.
• Develop, implement and maintain robust financial systems and controls.
• Ensure compliance with Financial Regulations and procurement procedures.
• Oversee income management, debtor control and cash collection.
• Manage purchase ledger, payments and expenditure control.
• Coordinate payroll interfaces and reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly management information and financial reports.

Skills

Financial controls

Budgeting

Forecasting

Excel

Team leadership

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA or equivalent

AAT Level 4

Job description

Finance Manager

Contract: Full-time, permanent, 37 hours per week, all year round

Salary: NJC Points 33 - 38, £45,529.00 - £50,908.00 per annum

Responsible to: Finance Director

Join Our Team

William Henry Smith Foundation is seeking an experienced and highly organised Finance Manager to lead the operational management of the Foundation's finance function. Reporting to the Finance Director, you will be responsible for ensuring robust financial controls, accurate financial processing, effective financial systems and full compliance with financial policies and procedures. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who is passionate about accuracy, accountability, continuous improvement and providing high‑quality financial support within a complex and purpose‑driven organisation.

About the Role

The Finance Manager will oversee the day‑to‑day financial operations of the Foundation, ensuring income is collected promptly, expenditure is appropriately controlled, financial transactions are processed accurately and financial records are maintained to a high standard. You will lead the continuous improvement of financial systems, procedures and controls, provide timely and accurate financial information, support budget holders and manage the team of Finance Assistants. The role promotes strong financial discipline, accountability, value for money and effective stewardship of Foundation resources.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Financial Operations, Systems and Controls

1. Lead the day-to-day operation of the Foundation's finance function, ensuring an efficient, accurate and responsive service.


2. Develop, implement and maintain robust financial systems, procedures, workflows and internal controls.


3. Ensure compliance with the Foundation's Financial Regulations, Scheme of Delegation, procurement requirements and relevant policies.


4. Monitor financial transactions and control accounts to identify errors, anomalies, unusual activity or control weaknesses.


5. Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including appropriate automation, to strengthen efficiency, accuracy, reporting and accountability.

Income Management, Debtor Control and Cash Collection

1. Ensure invoices and requests for payment are raised promptly and accurately.


2. Maintain effective credit control and debt recovery processes across all income streams.


3. Monitor and pursue outstanding debts and support timely collection of income.


4. Liaise with local authorities, commissioners, funding bodies, parents, carers and other organisations to resolve invoice queries and secure payment.


5. Monitor debtor performance and implement improvements to reduce late payment and bad debt exposure.

Purchase Ledger, Payments and Expenditure Control

1. Oversee purchase ledger operations and ensure supplier invoices are processed accurately and within agreed timescales.


2. Ensure invoices are matched to appropriate purchase orders, coding and authorisation requirements.


3. Oversee payment runs and maintain accurate supplier records.


4. Monitor expenditure to ensure compliance with budgets, procurement procedures and value-for-money expectations.


5. Support budget holders to understand and follow purchasing, coding and approval procedures.

Financial Processing, Payroll Interfaces and Reconciliations

1. Ensure journals, accruals, prepayments, income and expenditure transactions are processed accurately and on time.


2. Oversee timely bank reconciliations and monthly balance sheet and control account reconciliations.


3. Maintain effective interfaces and reconciliations between finance, payroll and other relevant systems.


4. Maintain accurate accounting records, supporting documentation and clear audit trails.

Budget Monitoring and Financial Reporting

1. Prepare accurate and timely monthly management information for the Finance Director.


2. Support the production of management accounts, forecasts, cash flow information and financial reports.


3. Provide budget monitoring information and variance analysis to budget holders and senior leaders.


4. Produce financial dashboards, performance indicators and management information as required.

Cash Flow, Banking and Treasury Administration

1. Monitor short‑term cash flow and provide accurate information to the Finance Director.


2. Oversee day‑to‑day banking administration and ensure payment controls remain current and secure.


3. Monitor cash balances, receipts and payments, highlighting potential issues at the earliest opportunity.

Audit, Compliance and Governance

1. Support the preparation of annual accounts, year‑end working papers and audit schedules.


2. Act as a key operational contact during audit fieldwork.


3. Coordinate the implementation of audit recommendations.


4. Support compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House, funding, tax and statutory requirements.


5. Assist with financial risk management, fraud prevention and assurance activities.

Leadership and Team Management

1. Provide effective day‑to‑day leadership and management of the finance team.


2. Allocate workloads, set deadlines and monitor delivery against agreed service standards.


3. Develop, motivate and support staff through supervision, performance management and professional development.


4. Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, collaboration, customer service and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Support and Engagement

1. Build positive and productive relationships with budget holders, senior leaders, trustees, auditors, suppliers, commissioners and funding bodies.


2. Provide advice, guidance and training on financial systems, processes and procedures.


3. Communicate financial information clearly and professionally to both financial and non‑financial audiences.


4. Support the Foundation's commitment to transparency, accountability and value for money.

About You

You will be a qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent), hold AAT Level 4, or have substantial relevant finance management experience. You will have significant experience managing day-to-day financial operations, producing accurate financial reports and management information, implementing robust financial controls, and leading finance teams within a complex organisation. With strong knowledge of financial controls, accounting principles, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting, you will be highly organised, analytical and committed to accuracy. You will be confident in using financial systems and Excel, able to communicate financial information clearly to both financial and non‑financial audiences, and capable of building positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. We are looking for a values-driven individual who demonstrates integrity, professionalism and sound judgement, is committed to safeguarding, equality and diversity, and shares the Foundation's commitment to accountability, transparency and stewardship of resources. You will be collaborative, proactive and motivated to support continuous improvement while contributing to the aims, values and ethos of the Foundation.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended 2013)

Posts which involve substantial access to children are exempt from provisions contained within this Act under which the job applicants are entitled to withhold information about any previous criminal background which is either unspent or would otherwise be considered ‘spent’ under the terms of the Act. However, changes to the legislation in 2013 mean that spent convictions may be protected and do not have to be disclosed to prospective employers. Employers cannot take protected offences into account when making employment decisions. If the job for which you have applied involves substantial access to children and you have been shortlisted for the post, you will be provided with a form on which you will be asked to disclose any relevant previous criminal background. We will provide more information on protected offences at that stage. If you are the successful applicant you will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service disclosure & we will also check the DBS barred list (children). Failure to complete this form will result in your application not proceeding any further. The possession of a criminal record will not automatically debar you from consideration for the post for which you have applied. Any information given will be treated as confidential and will only be used in relation to the post for which you have applied.