Join us

Role Purpose

Proactively plan and manage the finances of our small dynamic and growing organisation

Responsible for the smooth running of all aspects of financial management.

Main objectives

• Provide leadership, in-depth knowledge and financial expertise to support the organisation’s strategic development and operations

• Lead on the day-to-day management of financial operations and ensure sound financial management and accuracy around all financial routines, procedures and compliance with all relevant financial statutory and regulatory requirements
• Prepare statutory and management accounts and lead on the annual audit

• Provide and manage sound financial reporting for both internal and external stakeholders

You would be a motivated and forward-thinking Finance Manager with sound technical skills, project management ability and good strategic thinking, working closely with the CEO and the senior management team to ensure effective financial planning, reporting and management.

The role would suit a ‘can do’ person, working independently and collaboratively with colleagues, with minimal supervision. You would be flexible and open minded and enjoy thinking and acting proactively, with confidence, adapting your skills to the requirements of the role in a dynamic organisation.

Financial Leadership and senior management

• Lead on the day-to-day management of the financial operations, forecasting and the annual planning and budgeting process, working closely with the CEO
• Provide sound financial advice to the CEO, Executive and Trustees also assisting with business planning and strategy, forecasting, projections and business models

• As part of the Executive, you will ensure that the organisation makes the most of opportunities and works with challenges effectively as they arise and in order to meet priorities.

• Monitor any cash flow forecasts and the budget against actuals and in relation to approved expenditure and note any major variations in budget expenditure
• Management accounts and financial report for the Executive and Trustees
• Writing, reviewing and updating finance policies as and when required
• Update and manage all financial procedures and systems
• Prepare and issue employee contracts and liaise with staff regarding relevant information important for payments, ensuring payroll is timely and accurate
• Work with the CEO to review and manage systems and operational contracts
• Monitor telephone, utility and photocopier bills, re-negotiating rates before the end of contracts
• Ensure that office, building and professional indemnity insurances are up to date and renew them annually
• Lead on the audit process and ensure it is carried out effectively and in a timely manner
• Collaborative working with staff and key stakeholders: meetings, reporting, negotiating and other associated tasks.

• Liaise with London Metropolitan University regarding student registration invoicing and attend 5-yearly review meeting
• Update Security Policies as requested by Security Metrics for the Executive Centre Manager
• Direct line management of the bookkeeper

Accounting

• Supervise and review all accounting records processed by the bookkeeper
• Ensure timely, up to date and accurate accounting practice including journal entries, accruals, phasing and reconciliation
• Prepare monthly Management Accounts and Financial reports including Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Account for monthly Executive and quarterly Trustees meetings
• Prepare room income comparison tables and graph and occupancy report for Executive and Trustees meetings
• Manage credit control, ensuring that student fees are received by due dates and room users pay on time
• Prepare course fees and room charges for decision by executive and issue new fee sheets
• Ensure that staff and tutors are paid correctly and on time
• Liaise with auditors to ensure annual accounts are prepared and filed by due dates
• Manage monthly pension submission and carry out administration
• Banking
• Authorise payment of suppliers, with CEO involvement as and when required.

Governance

• Ensure legal compliance with respect to Insurance, Charity Commission, Companies House and HMRC requirements
• Ensure compliance with Companies House, Charities Commission and HMRC and all requirements and standards, including filing of relevant accounts and compliance information
• Ensure financial policies, reporting systems and coding structures are maintained
• File quarterly report with National Statistics Office

Qualifications and experience 

• Qualified or part-qualified (final stage), for example ACA, ACMA, CIPFA, CIMA
• Minimum 3 years relevant experience working with a charity/not for profit
• Good experience of sound accounting and financial management in the charity/not for profit sector
• Sound knowledge and experience of leading and managing the audit process
• Thorough practical up-to-date understanding of management accounting principles and techniques
• In-depth knowledge and experience with payroll and pension processes and management systems for accounting functions, including QuickBooks
• Experience and skill providing monthly management accounts, year-end statutory accounts and financial reporting.
• Experience of contributing to the strategic, organisational and financial planning processes
• Good practical understanding of data protection and confidentiality
• Good working knowledge of current accounting software systems
• Good understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the charity sector
• Excellent IT skills, including advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Competency using MS Office, email, online platforms and learning management systems
• Experience of working well within a multidisciplinary team (desirable)
• Experience facilitating or leading change and growth (desirable)

Qualities

• Passion and commitment to the Gestalt Centre values, work and direction
• Passion and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
• Awareness of self and others alongside a mindset and practice for growth and learning
• Leadership and management with kindness, integrity and collaboration
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including ability to communicate financial concepts and information in accurate, simple and clear ways and work collaboratively across teams and at a senior level
• Ability to manage competing priorities and detail, with big picture thinking and lead effectively and at pace
• Proactive dynamic leadership and project management skills
• Sound analytical and problem-solving skills, along with creative and flexible thinking
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable with good organisational skills
• Ability to receive and provide feedback, learn and grow as a professional
• Creativity, resourcefulness and an open mind to be able to see opportunities, embrace challenges and facilitate resolution of any issues.
• Good understanding of and familiarity with organisational dynamics, realities and requirements of a not for profit

Would you like to find out more?

For more information and to apply, please contact jacqueline@gestaltcentre.org.uk

To apply send us your up-to-date CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements for the role and the added value you’ll bring to it.

Looking forward to receiving your application!