JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title:
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Hours:
35 hours a week
Salary:
Salary band £42 - £46k (Executive)
Responsible to:
Chief Executive, Hackney CVS
Responsible for:
Finance staff
Work closely with:
Hackney CVS Directors and Treasurer
Key Areas of Work:
(1) To maintain financial control, reports and monitoring of Hackney CVS’s projects finances.
(2) To provide an effective financial management service to the charity and its trading
subsidiaries
(3) To provide sound financial advice to Trustees, Chief Executive and other senior
management colleagues.
(4) To prepare, develop and analyse management accounting information.
(5) To provide a high quality support service to senior managers in the organisation.
Specific duties and responsibilities:

Ensure, in close cooperation with the Chief Executive and Treasurer, that an appropriate
financial policy framework is in place to guide Hackney CVS’s financial decision-making
in line with Hackney CVS’s Financial Policies and Procedures. In particular, clarity will be
required on reserves; expense ratios, cash flow forecasts and income mix questions.

Ensure Hackney CVS financial procedures and reporting is in line with Charity SORP
requirements

Manage the finances of the City & Hackney Together Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and
other trading subsidiaries of Hackney CVS should they be developed, ensuring that the
SPV meets its financial and auditing requirements

Liaison with Auditors to arrange and conduct necessary financial and spatial project audit
as required.

Provide sound advice to the Chief Executive, Directors and Trustees acting as the
leading interface between management and trustees on financial matters

Service the Trustees’ Finance Sub-Committee and provide regular Finance updates to
the Executive Committee.

In close consultation with the Chief Executive and Treasurer, establish a relationship with
Trustees so that they have an opportunity to understand fully the key financial issues
confronting the charity.

Ensure appropriate risk management techniques and financial controls are embedded
throughout the charity and its subsidiary companies at strategic and operational levels.

Process payroll and submit PAYE returns.
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
Manage Hackney CVS’s online banking processes (including BACS payments) and when
relevant implement best practice in online approaches.

Work closely with senior managers to ensure Hackney CVS recovers its full costs when
submitting funding applications and devising new programmes or projects that are
externally funded.

Act as a spokesperson for the organisation as and when required and undertaking other
duties as required by the Chief Executive.

Plan and manage the charity’s tax liabilities under existing and proposed legislation.
Evaluate the tax liability impact of contemplated courses of action, minimise the tax
burden and deal with tax authorities.

Together with the Chief Executive prepare the statutory annual accounts.

Plan and manage cash flow and any investment activity – the latter in consultation with
investment advisers and the relevant trustee sub-committee, if any.

Maintain appropriate contact with bankers, investment managers, pension advisers and
auditors.

Keep abreast of financial developments across the charity sector by liaising with senior
finance staff in other charities and relevant bodies as appropriate.

Produce weekly, monthly and quarterly management reports to senior management as
required

Ensure Hackney CVS gets best value from external contracts and contractors and to
make recommendations to the Chief executive on the most cost effective options

Improve and update the systems surrounding all aspects of Hackney CVS’s budget
forecasts and financial business planning, in consultation with the Chief Executive.

Establish and maintain costing models for Hackney CVS.

Share in planning projects exploring potential problems or opportunities, ensuring that
resources and staff are available to execute the project.

Ensure the appropriate vision and processes are in place to ensure the long-term
financial viability of the charity, advising Directors on the financial consequences of
proposed activities

Provide financial support for fundraising tasks, funding applications and reports to
funders.

Set up and maintain financial reporting, control & monitoring systems for Hackney CVS’s
projects.

Line management of the Finance Apprentice, and of a new post Compliance and
Monitoring Officer.
General
1. Contribute to the development of Hackney CVS as an umbrella organisation.
2. Carry out all duties in the context of and in compliance with Hackney CVS’s Equal
Opportunities Policy.
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3. Contribute positively to team working including attending team meetings and supervisory
sessions and adhere to the policies and procedures of Hackney CVS.
4. To attend and contribute positively to supervision sessions.
5. To undertake any required training and updating of skills as necessary.
6. Any other duties within the competence of the post-holder that may be required in line
with the post and at the direction of the Chief Executive
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
FINANCE MANAGER
QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

CCAB qualified with commensurate charity experience in similar role

Experience of preparing funding applications.

Experience of budget control and project / resource management using.

Proven experience in financial reporting and in preparation of annual budget, monthly
management accounts and forecasts and statutory accounts, ideally for a charity.

Experience of servicing and working to a management board or sub-committees.

Experience of managing staff
KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of working with QuickBooks Accounting Programme.

Current knowledge of the voluntary sector and voluntary sector concerns.

Knowledge and understanding of the financial management of smaller voluntary sector
organisations.

Knowledge of current and impending Charities, Employment, Health & Safety and
Equalities legislation.

Knowledge of VAT partial exemption
SKILLS & ABILITIES

The ability to work in and motivate a team

A high degree of communication skills particularly attuned to working well with nonfinance professionals and volunteers.

First hand experience of financial planning, budgeting forecasting and reporting.

Used to working in fast moving environments providing accurate and timely financial
information to a high standard in accessible formats.

Experience and understanding of charity accounts, SORP and QuickBooks.

Empathy with the charitable sector is essential and understanding of its financial needs.

Prepared to work occasional unsocial hours and to travel as necessary to implement the
work of Hackney CVS.

Values focussed team player who thinks creatively to develop practical solutions.

Excellent Microsoft skills - Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook essential.
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