Head of Finance

This is an exciting role for a motivated self-starter, who is keen to make a key contribution to delivering financial strategy and has a well-rounded business partnering approach to Finance. The Access Project has ambitious plans to grow and is looking for a Head of Finance to build strong foundations in relation to financial literacy and commercial awareness across the organisation, working closely with the Executive.

This role will give you the opportunity to build strong relationships across the organisation and provide outstanding customer service to various stakeholders.

Given the relative size of the organisation, this is a broad role, encompassing many different aspects of Finance and therefore will provide an amazing opportunity for the right candidate to progress to the next stage of their career.

Financial Management and Finance Business Partnering

The Head of Finance will play a key role in managing strategic financial plans including supporting budget holders across the organisation.

• Leading on the annual budgeting and forecasting cycles, including multi-year forecasts and financial models in line with the organisation's strategic goals
• Enable budget holders, through business partnering and training, to manage their own budgets effectively, make strategic decisions based on sound financial understanding of strategic drivers of the organisation, and use finance systems for processes like expenses
• Developing The Access Project's financial strategy and associated KPIs

• Working closely with the Sales and Partnerships team to ensure the accuracy of the in-year fundraising pipeline and future income projections
• Supporting the Sales and Partnerships team with financial information for funding applications and producing financial reports to funders
• Excellent understanding restricted funding, its implications and ensuring that spend is in line with requirements of funders and Charities SORP
• Providing on-going training and support to users of Xledger (accounting software) to optimise use of financial information for commercial decision making

Financial Control and Reporting:

• Be responsible for achieving and maintaining information of utmost integrity and completeness, enabling relevant and timely reporting addressing stakeholder requirements.
• Producing high-quality monthly management accounts with insightful commentary to the Executives, Finco and Trustees, including reporting on finance and fundraising KPIs Successfully managing the month-end process including reviewing the work of the Senior Finance and Operations Coordinator and meeting reporting deadlines. This will include posting of month-end journals and preparation of balance sheet reconciliations Maintaining, developing and automating all aspect of sound financial controls in the context of the operating model and regulatory requirements Optimise use of the accounting software (Xledger), through pro-active maintenance, upgrading and integration with relevant applications
• Lead the annual audit successfully through pro-active planning and preparation of substantive information and annual statutory accounts, resolve audit queries, play a key role in collation of information of the annual report with relevant stakeholders
• Manage the monthly payroll process and related financial controls in conjunction with outsourced payroll providers and the HR department to ensure staff are paid correctly and on time.
• Maintaining, regularly reviewing and updating organisational policies relating to finance
• Ensure The Access Project fulfils its obligations in relation to tax and other regulatory requirements.

Treasury management

Manage the investment strategy to optimise use of surplus cash resources and interest income, in line with policies and related risk management.

• Managing rolling 12-month cash flow successfully and reducing reliance on a small number of financial institutions and inherent counterparty risk.
• Analysing monthly movements on short-term deposits and producing associated reporting to Executives and Trustees
• Managing the organisation's portfolio in line with its investment policy and risk management procedures

Other responsibilities

• Providing cover for the Senior Finance and Operations Coordinator, and Chief Operating Officer, as and when required
• Undertaking other tasks and ad-hoc projects as requested by the Chief Operating Officer

Person specification

• Holds a professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACA/ACCA/CIMA), including newly qualified accountants. Finance professionals that have sufficient relevant experience and is close to becoming fully qualified may also be considered
• Has substantial and relevant experience within the not-for-profit sector
• Strong understanding of Charities SORP (FRS102)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt a style to various stakeholders
• Able to build effective relationships across the organisation, ensuring that budget holders are fully supported in relation to finance to enable them to carry out the financial aspects of their roles effectively
• Able to effectively communicate complex financial matters to non-finance colleagues
• Outstanding attention to detail whilst being able to think strategically at the same time
• Committed to driving and seeing through improvements within the finance team
• Flexible and able to work well as part of a team and alone
• Passionate about educational disadvantage and The Access Project's mission
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• A commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Committed to upholding a professional code of ethics

Skills and experience

• Demonstrable business partnering experience, preferably in a similar size organisation and business model
• Strong financial control, management accounting and reporting experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to adapt and influence change
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using a range of financial reporting tools
• Experience of using a range of accounting software (Xledger desirable)
• Good working knowledge of MS Office programmes

About the organisation

We believe that every young person should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and make the most of their education. We're passionate about reducing the educational barriers our students face, helping them to pursue a career in their chosen field and follow their dreams.

Our mission is to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access top universities, through a unique combination of tuition and in-school mentoring. We work with them to make good applications, get the grades and transition to university.

The programme combats educational inequality and improves social mobility by raising students' grades and supporting them to understand the pathway to a top university. Students who receive support from our programme are more than twice as likely to attend top universities as statistically similar students, according to UCAS.

For more information including our values, why work for us and our team, please visit our website.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave p.a. (pro rata), Bank Holidays and Christmas closure (5 days).
• PerkBox - offering nationwide shopping discounts, gym memberships, holidays, learning and much more.
• Employee Assistance Programme, a 24-hour helpline for staff
• Online Medical assistance - access 24/7 to a qualified GP within minutes, with referrals and prescriptions available same-day.
• Interest-free travelcard loans
• Cycles scheme loans
• 3 paid Volunteering Days
• Employer's pensions contributions (3%)
• CPD options with a business case aligned with strategic objectives

Safeguarding Statement

The Access Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the organisation.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The Access Project aspires to represent the diversity of communities across the UK at all levels of the organisation and proactively takes steps to support this. We are committed to creating a culture where the experiences and voices of people from marginalised backgrounds are listened to and valued; where their skills are appreciated; and where their talents are nurtured and encouraged.

The Access Project is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. If you believe you have most of the skills to fulfil the role we encourage you to apply. Amongst staff at our organization, there is under-representation of people who are Black, Asian or people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled, care-experienced, from low socio-economic backgrounds, and who are LGBTQIA+ . We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience in reference to our mission.
We are proud to be a Level 1 Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments please contact us.

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