THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Head of Finance
Department:
Finance
Reporting to:
Finance Director
Responsible for: Finance Team (including Payroll)
JOB PURPOSE
The Finance Department has a primary responsibility to protect the
assets of the charity through the maintenance and development of a
systematic process for financial control and review. The Department
aims to delight its customers by providing accurate, timely and
meaningful financial and management information that enables the
Board and Senior Management Team to make effective decisions
regarding the strategic direction of the charity.
The Head of Finance will have operational responsibility for the Finance
Department, and line management responsibility for the finance team
of 7 people. The Finance Team is a shared service which delivers to
customers at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth Pavilions and TR2.
They will provide the lead in the production and development of
management/financial accounting and reporting and will provide
guidance and advice on all operational finance matters to colleagues
across the organisation.
This role is responsible for the creation and implementation of all
financial policies, processes and procedures as required by the
organisation. This includes procurement and the wider group
ownership, review and development of the charity’s procurement policy
and the adherence to it.
There is a requirement for the post holder to have the skills and
knowledge to be able to develop existing (and implement new) financial
systems to the benefit of the business.
As part of this role the post holder will be responsible for delivery of
the year end and internal audits to strict timescales and deadlines.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
Financial/Management Accounting
Prepare the management accounts, with the assistance of the
Financial Accountant, and seek to implement a best practice
approach for financial accounting controls.
2.
Processes
Design and implement the necessary controls to protect the
organisation’s assets and prevent any potential areas of fraud.
This work will be determined by any changes required and
outlined by the Finance Director and/or the Board and should
meet the needs of internal audit recommendations.
3.
Systems
Meet and exceed internal customer requirements by being the
business champion for any new financial systems introduced into
the business as well as driving the development of existing ones.
4.
Team Management/Leadership
Recruit, develop and motivate the Finance Team to achieve its
objectives and departmental purpose.
5.
Financial Policies & Procedures
Ensure, from the framework outlined by the Finance Director, that
appropriate financial policies are implemented, documented and
become part of the core work of the finance department.
6.
Communication
To raise the profile of the Finance Department through the
provision of a service that meets the needs of all stakeholders. Be
able to influence colleagues when introducing new ideas,
processes and systems that support the aims and objectives of the
charity.
As a Head of Department the post holder should seek to
communicate effectively throughout the organisation and actively
participate in relevant forums and cross – departmental working
groups as deemed appropriate.
PRINCIPAL TASKS
1.
Financial/Management Accounting
 Prepare the management accounts for the Theatre, TR2 and
Pavilions for review by the Finance Director in line with the
monthly accounting timetable.
 Deliver all reports to the relevant deadlines.
 Devolve operational reporting and ownership of budgets to
managers through the provision of the appropriate
reporting tools which will enable budget managers to plan
and review the financial performance of their departments.
2.
Budgeting/Forecasting
 Assist the Finance Director with the preparation of the
detailed annual budget and forecasts.
 Develop appropriate systems, in working with the Systems
Analyst, to further automate the budget and forecasting
processes.
 Prepare the operational budget timetable and work with
customers to enable the business to meet agreed
deadlines.
3.
Statutory Accounting/Reporting
 Prepare and deliver the operational audit plan and provide
to the Finance Director for inclusion in the overall audit
timetable.


Manage new and existing regulatory requirements where
appropriate and incorporate them into the financial and
management accounts.
Complete and deliver operational information/payments to
HMRC, National Statistics and other government and
regulatory bodies as required. This includes VAT returns.
4.
Payroll
 Be responsible for all of the outputs of the payroll function
with a view to putting in place the necessary controls and
checks that ensures all employees are paid accurately and
on time.
 Review and authorise the weekly payroll and put a system
in place so that various managers, who should be
independent of finance, review and process electronic
payments to employees.
 Ensure that the payroll team reconcile the payroll and
finance systems and investigate and report any
differences.
 Work with the Head of HR to ensure that the establishment
plan and the starters/leavers processes are taut and stand
up to scrutiny from internal/external audit.
5.
Systems (working with the Systems Analyst)
 Ensure the robustness of all finance systems taking into
account any required enhancements and upgrades
required.
 Development of the existing finance system to empower
managers to exercise financial control over their areas of
the business.
 Review the financial management needs of the organisation
and propose new systems and processes to support these
needs where appropriate.
6.
Leadership/Management
 Recruitment, management and development of all
members of the Finance Team, ensuring their welfare, job
satisfaction, competence and motivation.
 Carry out annual appraisals and ensure development plans
are in place for the team.
 Lead on any changes required to processes and procedures
and be able to drive and motivate the team in meeting set
goals and objectives.
7.
Service Level Agreements
 As Finance is a shared service the post holder will create
and document service level agreements with all customer
groups.
8.
Treasury
 Be responsible for the approval of day to day treasury
movements adhering to the appropriate financial policy
and procedures of the organisation.
9.
Raising Departmental Profile
 Continually increase the departments profile across the
business. The role is fundamental to the delivery of a
financial management framework for the business and
should seek to increase awareness of the work of the
department and what it can offer and also what it expects,
from its internal customers.
10. Other Duties
 Other ad-hoc duties and tasks including covering the
Finance Director when they are away from the business.