Finance Manager Designate Abbeyfield & Wesley

Abbeyfield & Wesley are pleased to be advertising for the role of Finance Manager designate. This exciting position will perform a key part in the management of the Finance Department and will also be involved with the wider Senior Management Team.

As Finance Manager designate, the successful Candidate will join Abbeyfield & Wesley under a hand-over period with the existing Finance Manager, who is due to retire in the summer of 2021, following which the Finance Manager designate will assume the position of Finance Manager.

The role of Finance Manager is integral to the overall running of Abbeyfield & Wesley as a Housing Association and Charity. The dedicated interim hand-over period is intended to provide the successful candidate with an in-depth knowledge of the Association, its financial practices and inclusion into the Senior Management Team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an already well established Finance professional who is looking for an exciting and diverse senior position. If you feel this is the right role for you, we look forward to receiving your application. To apply please provide an up-to-date CV along with a cover letter detailing the below:

1 – Why you believe you are the right Candidate for this position

2 – How you fulfil the Essential / Desirable criteria for the role

3 – Why you believe Abbeyfield & Wesley is the right organisation for you

Key Responsibilities (In conjunction with the Finance Manager during interim hand-over period)

Take ownership of the rent accounting system (SDM), including calculation of rents, setting up direct debits and payment plans, rent reconciliations, processing and monitoring Housing Benefit and Supporting People payment.

Prepare regular detailed Management Accounts information for the CEO and The Board.

Prepare the annual financial budget.

Undertake monthly payroll and year-end processing.

Take a lead role in the preparation of financial reports, returns and regular audits.

Monitor financial trends and Association accounts in order to provide recommendations to assist future decisions.

Banking and recording incoming payments such as cash, cheques and direct payments.

Manage and monitor invoices, ensuring they are recorded, approved, coded and paid accurately.

Review existing processes to assess if improvements and streamlining practices can be implemented.

Candidate Criteria

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or part qualified Accountant with at least 5 years’ experience
• Previous experience in producing detailed forecast and budget reports
• Previous experience in a management or line management position
• Proven technical knowledge of Sage Software or similar
• Proven exceptional organisational and analytical skills
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey financial information concisely and clearly
• Excellent IT skills, especially in EXCEL
• Proven ability to work under pressure to meet often tight deadlines
• Previous experience with financial audits
• Ability to work autonomously within the Finance Department whilst also working closely with the Senior Management Team and CEO

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience in the Housing or Not For Profit sector
• Knowledge of rents accounts
• Experience working with SDM Housing Management software

Once the Finance Manager designate assumes the full role of Finance Manager following the hand-over period, a salary increase review will be undertaken.

Abbeyfield & Wesley welcomes applications from all sectors of the community irrespective of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability. The information requested in this form is to enable us to obtain a rounded picture of you. Personal information will not of itself be used to disqualify your application.

This post involves substantial access to vulnerable adults and children, therefore, as part of the selection process, Abbeyfield & Wesley requires an Enhanced Disclosure Check to be carried out through Access NI. Following interview, the preferred candidate will be offered the post subject to satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Check. This will include verification of identity and a report on the preferred candidate’s full criminal history (including spent and unspent convictions), cautions, disqualifications from regulated or care positions, and any other material considered by the police to be relevant to the position applied for.  A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position (if you require further information please request a copy of the Abbeyfield & Wesley Policy on Recruitment of those with a Criminal Record. You can access further information and the Access NI Code of Practice on https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).