BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL
PART-TIME BURSAR
JOB SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Cathedral Bursar
Hours of work:
14 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks) (must include Tuesdays; other days
and hours negotiable)
Salary:
£14,000 minimum, depending on experience (equivalent to £35,000 per annum)
Overview
The Cathedral Bursar is responsible for the efficient and effective management of the Cathedral’s financial
and accounting procedures. The post-holder will be the Cathedral’s principal adviser on matters relating to
financial legislation and will assist in the production of the annual budget, reports and accounts.
Context
The decision to appoint a qualified accountant as Bursar is a new one. The post-holder, as Head of the
Finance Department, will be responsible for the supervision of all accounting, book-keeping, investment
management and the production of management reports for the Cathedral, and for establishing and
implementing sound financial and accounting policies across the Department. The post will be supported by
a full-time Finance Officer line-managed by the Bursar.
The post-holder will be expected to work closely with the Chairman of the Finance Committee, budgetholders and department heads, and with a number of other staff and volunteers, providing support and
advice on financial matters as necessary.
The post is line-managed on behalf of the Cathedral Chapter by the Cathedral Administrator.
Principal Tasks
Financial Management
 Develop and maintain effective systems of financial management, ensuring the financial integrity and
security of Cathedral activities
 Devise appropriate accounting policies for use by the accounts department for the Cathedral,
Blackburn Cathedral Developments (BCD) and Blackburn Cathedral Trust (BCT) and make
recommendations as necessary to the Finance Committee and to Chapter
 Take overall responsibility for the accounting and financial functions of the Cathedral, BCD and
BCT
 Ensure that accounting standards comply with applicable law and United Kingdom accounting
standards
 Manage cash resources of the Cathedral including preparation and monitoring of cash flow
forecasts
 Assist the Finance Committee in preparation and regular review of three-year financial plans
 Supervise Cathedral bank accounts including day to day processing of receipts, payments and
transfers by other Finance Department staff.
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Carry out appropriate risk management on Cathedral financial systems making appropriate
recommendations to the Finance Committee
Ensure that the Cathedral’s assets including the buildings are adequately insured and the insurances
are reviewed regularly.
Work with the Canon Sacrist to develop the financial management procedures for the new Clergy
Court Building (opening October 2015)
Budget and Reporting
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Prepare monthly/quarterly management accounts for the Cathedral
Assist in producing the annual Cathedral budget
Work with and support department heads and budget holders in achieving compliance with
departmental budgets
Report to the Finance Committee on departmental performance against budget and bring to its
attention any unplanned variance.
Assist the Administrator, working with the Auditors, in the production of the annual report and
accounts including preparation of trial balances, end-of-year reports, consolidated statement of
financial activities, balance sheet and notes to the accounts as required
Supply information to Blackburn Cathedral Trust in support of fundraising initiatives and
applications
Statutory Returns and Reports
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Prepare all necessary returns to Church Commissioners, Church of England Pensions Board,
Payroll and Charity Commission
Maintain records and supervise and check prepared returns for tax reclaims, including Gift Aid and
the Listed Places of Worship Scheme.
Accounting for VAT and preparation of quarterly return
Ensure compliance with all relevant tax and financial legislation and advise the Finance Committee
and, through the Administrator, the Chapter on the best method of managing the accounting
function in the light of legislative changes
General Accountancy Functions and supervision of Departmental Staff
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Supervise the Maintenance of the cash book for the Cathedral and ensure that all journal entries
are posted for the Cathedral using appropriate IT and manual systems by the relevant staff member
Maintain Cathedral, BCD and BCT nominal ledgers
Work with the Finance Department officers on invoicing for Cathedral Facilities Fees and other
services rendered through the Catering Department, rentals and the preparation of quarterly aged
debtors schedules (including liaison with the Cathedral Administrator over required action)
Supervise the preparing of Monthly bank reconciliations
Manage the preparations of invoices for payment, including raising all cheques for the Cathedral
following authorisation by the relevant departmental head.
Assist the Cathedral Administrator and the Canon Sacrist in developing appropriate IT systems to
support the accounting for both Cathedral and Cathedral Court and ensure the robust back-up
procedures are undertaken
Liaise with auditors before, during and after the annual audit and ensure that the Department is
efficient in the production of all required information to ensure satisfactory audit
Liaison with bank on changes to instructions, charges, mandates, banking errors
Ensure that the Departmental staff are working with Cathedral stewardship recorders and cash
counters accurately to record and manage income from collections
Act as initial point of contact for bequests and other donors
Liaise with the Churches Energy Consortium to achieve best possible payment rates for utilities
Liaise as necessary with those responsible for counting and banking of money to ensure best
practice and agreed procedures are followed
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Attendance at meetings
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Attend Finance Committee meetings (usually 4 per annum during the day)
Very occasional attendance at evening meetings.
Attendance at Chapter and Management Team meetings when required to report on financial
matters
Attend the conferences of the Cathedral Administration and Finance Association (CAFA)
(one residential and two one-day events)
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
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A qualified accountant who is a member of one of the recognised UK accounting bodies (ACA,
ACCA, ACMA)
At least two years’ experience in a small or medium-sized organisation
Familiarity with the operation of SAGE accounting software
Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel
Able to work on own initiative, largely unsupervised
Good communication skills, both written and oral
A good team player with ability to relate equally well to paid and voluntary staff
Able to work under pressure
Able to demonstrate sympathy with the aims and objectives of Blackburn Cathedral
Desirable
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Experience of accounting within the Church of England, for instance in a parish, Cathedral or
Diocesan setting, or alternatively, in any other charitable/not-for-profit organisation
Experience of working in an environment where paid and voluntary staff work side by side
SUMMARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This post is open to candidates who are in sympathy with the aims and objectives of the Christian Church
and the Anglican tradition. The Cathedral encourages equal opportunities.
The person appointed will be employed by Blackburn Cathedral Chapter at its offices, located at Cathedral
Close Blackburn, BB1 5AA.
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Salary: £14,000 (£35,000 per annum pro rata), reviewable in April of each year
Hours: Normal hours are 14 per week, spread over a number of days. These may be negotiated
on appointment but must include Tuesdays. The nature of the job requires some flexibility as to
when these hours are worked (e.g. very occasional evening meetings). Overtime is not paid, but
time off in lieu may be granted in respect of hours worked as required in excess of normal hours.
Holidays: 5.6 weeks plus bank holidays (pro rata). (Additional discretionary leave is usually
granted for all staff between Christmas and New Year)
Pension: Automatic enrolment into the Cathedral Pension Scheme after the probationary period
Probationary period: 26 weeks
Notice period: During the probationary period, the notice period is one week on either side.
After that, the Cathedral will give one week’s notice for each full year of service up to a maximum
of 12 weeks’ notice for 12 or more years' service. The person appointed will be required to give
three months' notice.
Referees: Names and contact details of two referees will be required.
Recruitment: Through www.reed.co.uk or by sending a CV to the Dean’s Secretary at Blackburn
Cathedral.
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The closing date for applications is midday on 17th April 2015. It is anticipated that interviews will
take place on the afternoon of 28th April 2015.