Key Responsibilities

Financial Management and Reporting

• Prepare management accounts, forecasts, and cash flow reports.
• Lead on the annual budgeting process in collaboration with managers and budget holders.
• Monitor budgets, providing clear variance analysis and financial commentary.
• Prepare year-end accounts and liaise with external auditors to ensure timely submission of statutory accounts.
• Maintain accurate financial records and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks, including Charity Commission and Companies House requirements.

Operational Finance

• Oversee all day-to-day finance operations, including accounts payable/receivable, bank reconciliations, payroll journals, and monthly close procedures.
• Ensure effective cash flow management and timely payment of suppliers, staff, and partners.
• Prepare and submit all HMRC returns including VAT, PAYE and NI.
• Support the administration of staff payroll (outsourced or in-house), ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

Grants and Contracts

• Track and report on restricted and unrestricted income, ensuring robust financial monitoring for funded projects.
• Prepare financial reports for funders and commissioners in line with reporting requirements.
• Support bid development and contract pricing, providing costings, forecasts, and financial modelling as required.

Systems and Controls

• Maintain and improve financial systems, policies and procedures, ensuring strong internal controls and compliance.
• Ensure finance policies are up to date and reflective of best practice.
• Oversee the finance function’s use of accounting software, ensuring data accuracy and effective system use.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide financial insight and advice to the senior leadership team and trustees.
• Line manage finance officers or assistants (if applicable), providing supervision, support and professional development.
• Work closely with project managers and operational leads to embed financial accountability across the organisation.

General Responsibilities

• Uphold high professional standards in all interactions with stakeholders, partners, and the public.
• Contribute to the review and updating of Spring North’s policies and procedures.
• Participate in relevant training and continuous professional development.
• Engage in the ongoing evaluation and improvement of Spring North’s effectiveness in meeting strategic objectives.
• Ensure compliance with Spring North’s Equality & Diversity Policy, Safeguarding, and other organisational policies.
• Participate in supervision, regular performance reviews, and annual appraisals.

Additional Information

• The postholder must be flexible to respond to organisational needs, including occasional work outside normal hours and travel when required.
• This job description is subject to periodic review in consultation with the postholder to ensure alignment with organisational priorities.

Person Specification

Essential

• Professional accountancy qualification or equivalent book-keeping experience.
• Proven experience in a finance role with responsibility for management accounts and financial planning.
• Understanding of charity finance, fund accounting and SORP (or willingness to develop expertise).
• Proficient in accounting software – Quickbooks
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts clearly to non-financial colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience of working in the voluntary or community sector.
• Knowledge of public sector commissioning, grant reporting or contract funding arrangements.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Martin on 01254 784105 or email martin.hartley-smith@springnorth.org.uk.  If you’re interested in applying, we kindly ask that you share an up-to-date CV in the first instance.