Head of Finance

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Management

• Develop and implement the charity’s financial strategy to align it to the charity’s main strategy and support long-term goals.
• Provide financial insights to the leadership team to guide decision-making and resource allocation.
• Lead on the preparation of the annual budget, ensuring alignment with the charity's strategic objectives.
• Monitor and forecast financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Work with the Treasurer and trustees to develop and update financial policies and procedures as part of the Resources Committee.
• Keep under review AvMA reserves strategy and policy and recommend changes as necessary. 

Day to Day Financial Duties

• Manage and oversee all financial transactions, including accounts payable & receivable, payroll and banking.
• Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts and cash flow reports.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements, including VAT, Gift Aid, and charity reporting standards.
• In conjunction with our investment advisers, support the trustees and CEO with the management of an investment portfolio including the planning of necessary drawdowns for cashflow management purposes.
• Oversee the preparation of year-end accounts and liaise with external auditors.
• Maintain and update financial systems, ensuring robust controls are in place.  

Leadership & Collaboration

• Act as a financial advisor to the CEO, trustees and senior leadership team on all matters.
• Present financial reports at board and committee meetings, explaining complex financial data in an accessible way.
• Work closely with fundraising, operations and medico legal teams to align financial plans with organisational objectives.
• Provide mentorship and support to junior finance staff and/or volunteers, as applicable.

Other Duties

• To undertake other duties as required commensurate with this post.
• To attend quarterly Board meetings in person in London.  

 Person Specification

Essential:

1. Professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA) or equivalent financial experience.
2. Proven experience in financial management, ideally within a charity or non-profit organisation.
3. Strong knowledge of UK charity accounting standards (SORP) and regulatory requirements as they apply to charities.
4. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement financial strategies.
5. Proficiency in financial software (e.g. Sage) and Microsoft Excel.
6. Excellent analytical, organisational, and communication skills.
7. Good communication skills, with the ability to articulate clearly and effectively both in writing, on the telephone and face to face.
8. Ability to lead, manage and work effectively both as a member of a team and on own initiative.  Be well organised and remain calm under pressure.
9. Forward thinking and able to suggest appropriate changes to AvMA’s services to meet the changing needs of the public and the clinical negligence marketplace.
10. Passion, commitment and drive to promote patient rights and follow the aims of AvMA.
11. IT literate and confident with technological change.  Able to identify opportunities to improve our data collection systems; an awareness of the power of social media and how to use it to promote AvMA’s work.
12. Committed to principles of equal opportunities and diversity and inclusion.

Desirable: 

• Experience working with trustees or non-exec directors and presenting financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Knowledge of fundraising and grant management processes.
• Familiarity with Gift Aid, VAT and other tax-related processes relevant to charities