UNISON
Job Brief: Financial Controller
Introduction
1. UNISON is Britain’s leading trade union, with over 1.3 million members
working in the public services, energy services, private, voluntary and
community sectors. We employee 1200 staff, approximately 370 at our
national centre in Euston central London and the remainder in our 12 regions
across the UK including Northern Ireland.
2. UNISON is facing unparalleled political and industrial challenges, but many of
the changes which we have initiated stand us in good stead to meet these
challenges. We have for example developed clear objectives and priorities,
introduced formal project management processes, developed our ICT,
changed our service group structures and most importantly of all have
focused firmly on recruitment and organising at branch and regional level
through the introduction of new local and area organisers.
3. The Finance Office is located at the UNISON Centre, Euston, Central London
supporting the General Secretariat and the NEC via the Finance and
Resource Management Committee in the effective management of the union’s
finances, ensuring that UNISON considers the financial implications when
meeting its objectives. There are 34 members of staff in the department with
responsibilities over financial management and operations, regional and
branch financial management, staff pensions and internal audit.
The post reports directly to the Director of Finance and the post holder will
assist and /or have direct responsibility in the following areas of work:

Formulating, directing and getting agreed the union’s medium term
financial strategy as part of the union’s aims and objectives.

Ensuring that senior colleagues, both Executive and Lay, have the
level of information required including financial, economic and resource
implications when determining strategy, plans and specific decisions.

Ensuring UNISON complies with all statutory, legal and taxation
requirements in relation to its financial affairs and management of any
external audit and compliance audits from external bodies such as
HMRC.

Ensuring the maintenance, integrity and security of the financial
reporting system and management of any upgrades and
enhancements which may be required or deemed beneficial.
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
Ensuring that the production of reports and similar communications
present the financial affairs of UNISON in an appropriate manner to
members, committees, Secretariat, Senior Managers, as well as other
external agencies.

Representing UNISON externally, on appropriate bodies (such as
HMRC, Certification Office and Trade Union Finance Officers Group),
and dealing with other organisations (such as Auditors, Professional
Advisors, Bankers etc).

Establishing and maintaining proper financial records, a system of
strong internal control and robust information databases. This would
include issuance of policy and best practice guidelines and briefings
and monitoring compliance to minimise risk exposure.

Providing input on the union’s staff pension scheme arrangements and
managing year end process in relation to pensions and related matters
as pensions valuations and covenant report.

Initiating and leading projects aimed at changing financial and other
management structures and processes to improve organisational
efficiency.

Leading a finance team to ensure they are providing the advice and
support needed as a service department to the remainder of the union.
4. The post holder is required to attend and present at various Committee
meetings. The post holder will be able to advise on the utilisation of the
Union’s resources and contribution from the finance office to support the
leadership of UNISON. This includes assistance with forward planning and
implementation of both financial and organisational plans set by UNISON.
5. The post holder will be responsible for the drafting of the annual financial
statements of the union to the point of completion and will have the ability and
technical knowledge to manage the year end processes and audit of the
statements, as well as ensuring adequate and timely returns are made in
compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
6. Post holder will have overall responsibility for the annual budgeting process of
UNISON within the financial plans and will be involved in discussions with
Managers over budget submissions. Post holder must undertake close
scrutiny over budgets and advise managers accordingly and as required. The
post holder will have the confidence and integrity to liaise with managers at all
levels.
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7. The Director of Finance is the lead officer to the Finance and Resource
Management Committee, the lay body responsible for UNISON financial
matters. The post holder will need to work closely with the Director of Finance,
Chair and Vice Chair of the Finance committee and other committees as
required.
8. The post holder will have the skills, authority and ability to develop contacts
needed to successfully network across the whole of the union and with other
peer groups within the organisation to deliver an excellent support service.
9. The post holder will have the confidence and ability to work unsupervised,
take initiative to resolve operational matters and develop the finance
function’s governance framework, policies and guidelines.
10. The post holder will have operational responsibility over the Finance
Operational teams and Financial Management Team in the department and
direct reporting responsibility for 2 staff at managerial level. The responsibility
will cover all aspect of staff management including performance management,
training and development, sickness and absence management.
11. The post holder may be required to deputise on behalf of the Director of
Finance in his /her absence and as and when required.
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UNISON
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
ORGANISATION & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE
REF: ORD/2
JOB DESCRIPTION
Grade:
2
Hours:
35 per week
Location:
Finance Department, UNISON Centre NW1 2AY
Reports to:
Director of Finance
Overall summary
Wide ranging role offering significant degree of autonomy aiding the Director of
Finance in the provision of strategic support to management and lay committees as
well as managing the Operational function.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Supporting the Financial Director in working with Management and Lay
Committees in guiding and advising them on financial matters and assisting
them in making strategic decisions for the organisation.

To provide Budget Holders and Managers throughout UNISON with
appropriate, reliable and timely information to enable those managers to fulfil
their responsibilities

Ensuring accurate financial records are maintained and responsible for the
development of new and revised financial systems through a project based
approach

Responsible for the overall line management of the Operations and Financial
Management Staff within Finance

Managing external consultants and project staff as appropriate

Ensuring statutory accounts and other statutory and taxation information is
produced and provided in a prompt and accurate manner to appropriate
bodies.
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
To deputise for the Director of Finance as required

To represent the Finance Department of UNISON and liaise with relevant
external organisations as required.
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UNISON
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
ORGANISATION & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE
REF: ORD/2
PERSON SPECIFICATION
UNISON is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal
opportunities regardless of race, marital status, gender, sexuality, disablement or
age. This Person Specification is designed to help members of Interviewing Panels
judge the qualities of the interviewees in a systematic and consistent way and in
accordance with UNISON’s Equal Opportunities Policies. It is given to all applicants
for information.
Managerial

Significant and proven experience at a senior level preferably within a large
multi cost centre environment.

Direct experience of leading and supervising a large team and hands on
management of staff and all aspects of performance, training and development
and absence management.

Proven experience of taking difficult decisions and seeing through to fruition.

Strong influencing, negotiation and leadership skills with the ability to drive and
manage process, policy and systems change
Specialist/Technical

A recognised CCAB accountancy qualification with post qualification experience

Demonstrable practical experience of producing accounts, consolidation of
accounts, management information and reports in a modern business
environment.

Ability to lead on strategic development and change at the most senior level

Ability to take lead in projects and experience of using project management
techniques to conduct meetings and manage documentation.

Experience of financial systems implementation and improvements.
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Administrative/Organisational


Candidate should be confident, a self starter and must be able to demonstrate
good attention to detail, good judgment and logical decision making process.
Strong analytical skills and an ability to organise and interpret complex data
using IT systems and tools

Ability to balance and prioritise important control issues with efficiency and
effectiveness

Proven experience of forward thinking, anticipating potential problems, meeting
critical deadlines and performing under pressure
Communication

Ability to build the confidence of senior managers by giving expert advice and
building good working relationships

Strong communication skills both orally and in writing using the appropriate
medium and tools relevant to specific audiences.

Ability to remain customer focussed and have business awareness in order to
assist non-financial managers in providing an efficient service in a multi cost
centre environment

Experience of persuading, influencing and aiding others in decision making and
implementing change
General

Empathy with the aims and objectives of a modern trade union organisation

Proven commitment to promoting Equal Opportunities in the workplace
Other Information
Please submit three copies of your completed application form (please use the
‘General Application Form’).
Please send your completed application forms to: Sue Stephenson, Secretary to
Director of Finance, UNISON, Finance Department, 130 Euston Road, London,
NW1 2AY or email to: s.stephenson@unison.co.uk quoting ref: ORD/2 by no later
than Wednesday 26 November 2014.
Interviews will be held on 12 December 2014.
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