Part Time Finance Manager

Canterbury Archaeological Trust Limited: Part-time Finance Manager

Hours of employment: 0.4FTE (15 hrs (2 days) per week) – days/hours of attendance by agreement

Closing date: 05 January 2025

Interviews: Tuesday 21 January 2025

Contract length: Permanent (with a 12-week review and 6-month probationary period)

Location: Mainly office-based post initially, based at the Trust’s Head Office in Canterbury. Hybrid working may be possible once established.

Salary scale: £35,000 – £44,000 FTE per annum depending on experience (£14,000 – £17,600 pro rata)

Summary

Canterbury Archaeological Trust is a registered charity that has been operating in the south-east of England for over 40 years. With a base in Canterbury, we employ over 50 staff and partner with a range of groups to offer archaeological, heritage and engagement services.

We are looking for a part-time Finance Manage who will play a key role in managing and overseeing the financial operations of the Trust. The role would suit a part-qualified accountant who has strong experience in a financial accounting role working at a strategic and operational level. Once established, we offer the potential for flexible, hybrid working arrangements.

The post-holder will focus on the management accounting side of the organisation, including the preparation of monthly management accounts and reconciliations, the preparation of budgets and budget forecasts, the monitoring of financial processes to ensure maximum efficiency and the provision of financial and related advice and support to staff and other bodies.

More detailed information

Canterbury Archaeological Trust is seeking to employ a part-time Finance Manager. The Trust currently has a Finance team which undertakes a range of finance duties, including payroll, HMRC and VAT submissions, creditor and debtor control and invoicing. The Finance Manager will focus on the management accounting side of the organisation, including the preparation of monthly management accounts and reconciliations, the preparation of budgets and budget forecasts, the monitoring of financial processes to ensure maximum efficiency and the provision of financial and related advice and support to staff and other bodies.

The Trust

Canterbury Archaeological Trust is a registered charity, established in 1976 to promote the advancement of public education in the subject of archaeology. The Trust has a turnover of c. £2 million per annum and employs around 50 staff. We undertake a range of field- and desk-based activities, and work in partnership with community groups, schools, higher educational establishments, commercial clients, employees, volunteers, the Friends of Canterbury Archaeological Trust (FCAT) and others to fulfil our charitable aim.

The role

The Finance Manager will focus on the management accounting side of the Trust, including monitoring the finances of the organisation in order to provide senior managers and Trustees with accurate and timely information relating to our activities. The role will involve the production of monthly management accounts for presentation to the Board and to other Board subcommittees. There will also be requirements for the production of budgets, cash flow forecasts etc, and the provision of information for the annual audit, as well as month-end reconciliations and reporting. The Finance Manager will undertake WIP management and project oversight, ensuring project and other information in the Trust’s finance and accounting software (Greentree) is current and accurate, and billing is timely. The postholder will work closely with the current Finance Team and will form part of the management team of the Trust, reporting to the Director and contributing to strategic planning. The work will involve the use of Greentree, training in which will be provided as necessary.

The principal roles of the post comprise:

·         Oversight and management of the Trust’s finance systems, ensuring they remain fit for purpose, fulfil statutory and donor obligations and assist with efficiencies throughout the organisation

·         Overall management of control procedures and forecasting requirements

·         Production of accurate and accessible financial information for the Board, Board subcommittees and senior managers

·         Assist in the production of monthly management accounts and reports, cash flow projections and project income, showing performance against budget.

·         Production of budgets and budget forecasts. Investigating and interpreting variances against budgets/targets and helping to produce informative commentary

·         Supporting the provision of financial reports and analysis as needed to support decision-making activities at the Trust

·         Preparation of month end reconciliations and reporting

·         Posting of accounting adjustments, journals and virements in line with agreed procedure and with a high level of accuracy

·         Assisting with the preparation of audit material and liaison with the auditors to ensure completion to schedule

·         WIP management and project monitoring, ensuring finance information is current and billing timely

·         Regular cash flow, debtor and creditor monitoring

·         Liaison with senior managers to set and review annual budgets

·         Informing, educating, supporting and training the Finance team in the preparation of payroll, PAYE requirements, VAT returns etc.

·         Informing, educating, supporting and training non-finance colleagues, both informally and formally

·         Advising on statutory compliance, and ensuring compliance with charity accounting procedures and demands

·         Attendance at Board and other meetings, some of which may be out of usual work hours

·         Requirement for an ability to prioritise work schedules and work to deadlines

·         Any other duties as may be reasonably required.

Essential Requirements

·         Professionally part-qualified CCAB or equivalent

·         Strong experience in a financial accounting role working in an organisation at a strategic and operational level

·         A good understanding of current accounting policies and standards, including charity SORP and VAT regulations

·         Experience in the preparation of financial and management accounts (including balance sheets and cash flow forecasts), and in the maintenance of effective finance systems

·         Experience of setting, managing and reviewing budgets

·         Experience of using IT accounting packages and MS Excel spreadsheets

·         Ability to produce and implement a financial framework and supply forecasting information

·         Highly organised, with the ability to balance conflicting priorities, meet challenging deadlines and work quickly and accurately under pressure

·         Effective decision-making skills, with the confidence to delegate and empower colleagues with an open and consultative style of management

·         Excellent and effective communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to non-specialists and the ability to produce clear and concise written materials

·         Proficient in the use of MS Word to produce high quality finance reports, suitable for a range of audiences

·         Ability to work as part of a team

·         Commitment to deliver and promote equality, diversity and inclusivity in the day-to-day work of the role

·         An open and approachable manner and a willingness to support, mentor and encourage other staff in financial matters.

Desirable Skills

·         Experience of working in the charity or not-for-profit sector

·         Understanding of charity accounting regulations and procedures

·         Knowledge of company law

·         Knowledge of project management

Attractive Benefits Package, including:

·           25 days FTE (10 days pro rata) annual leave plus statutory Bank Holidays;

·           Membership of company Pension Scheme;

·           Paid sick leave;

·           Paid time and expenses to attend conferences and training courses.

Applicants must be a British citizen or hold a current work permit. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to any offer of employment; if you hold a Work Permit you should send a copy with your application or it will not be considered.