Finance Manager (Maternity Cover)
Benefits
Pulled from the full job description
Employee discount
Sick pay
Free parking
Discounted or free food
Work from home
Enhanced maternity leave
On-site parking
Full job description
The Finance Manager will provide leadership to the finance team. The Finance Manager manages some of our key accounting processes alongside responsibility for the day to day activities of the Finance team. This is a diverse role that requires an ability to maintain a financial overview, undertake a wide range of financial transactions and be adaptable to the needs of the organisation. The role involves working closely with the Director of Finance to deliver a strong and effective finance department at The Reader.
The Finance Manager role is key to maintaining standards and reporting accuracy, with oversight of the working practices of the finance team and wider organisation to ensure strong processes are in place for monitoring finances, seeking best practice from inside and outside the sector.
Relationship building is a vital part of the role – in addition to advising on technical accounting matters, the Finance Manager applies a flexible, innovative approach to their work, adding value to the organisation through collaboration and interaction with the leadership team, the wider organisation, The Reader community and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
Ability to demonstrate a good practical working knowledge of finance matters and processes in order to respond as issues arise
Ability to manage the core finance function of the organisation including the Community Interest Company trading subsidiary
Ability to perform all day-to-day financial transactions including Sales and Purchase Ledger, credit control, bank reconciliations, management of the company credit cards, petty cash and cash float management Responsible for payroll systems, payroll processing, payroll compliance including fluent knowledge of HR policies pertaining to payroll In-depth knowledge of accounting/financial controls
Technical knowledge relating to accounting month end and year end processes for both entities Supports the Finance Director in the production of timely monthly management accounts and annual consolidated accounts, providing relevant data for the Charity Board, CIC Board, Audit Committee and Directors Group Knowledge and skills to ensure robust processes and procedures for control of cash flow, VAT and other tax and Gift Aid Maintains the Fixed Asset Register
Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office, highly proficient in excel and experience of using finance systems such as Sage and Sage Payroll Point of contact for finance matters in the absence of the Director of Finance Manage the Finance Coordinators, providing meaningful support and guidance necessary so they can perform their role, and providing on the job training.
Empower and motivate the finance team by leading, coaching and developing them to achieve their full potential.
Trains and passes on knowledge to the finance team and wider organisation, provides support and training to budget holders Shaping the development of finance processes and good practice both in the finance team and operationally.
Work with the Finance Director to manage the performance of departmental budgets, supporting budget holders to ensure that financial plans are monitored and controlled and identifying key areas of risk
Producing technical financial reports, such as funder reports and month end accounting reports, providing insightful financial analysis and reporting.
Excellent attention to detail.
Producing technical financial reports, such as funder reports and month end accounting reports, providing insightful financial analysis and reporting. Excellent attention to detail.
Communicating technical financial information to non-financial colleagues and the wider Reader community (financial policies and procedures, budget management, financial reports, funder reports, KPIs, management accounts, financial statements, key metrics and benchmarks for financial and operational performance)
Work collaboratively across the organisation, ensuring high quality service for internal and external customers/stakeholders, altering communication style to easily convey information
Works closely with teams across the organisation to provide financial reporting to funders, cost new products and review existing arrangements Point of contact for external audit queries and liaison with the auditors regarding accounting queries, responding to queries relating to the annual Audit and deal with any requests for information promptly and efficiently
Liaison with HMRC for guidance, reporting and compliance matters Manages supplier relationships and payments management
Lead the team in providing regular contact with all customers when dealing with invoicing and credit control issues, ensuring that good customer service and Reader values are ingrained in all communication
Plans cycles of work for the finance team, supervises the workload of the finance team and ensures that the work of the team is delivered on time and as planned Work with the Director of Finance to set team objectives and sets individual objectives for the Finance Coordinators
Work to deadlines to support month-end accounts preparations, contributing to the timely production of monthly management accounts and the annual consolidated accounts
Be able to prioritise conflicting deadlines, and meet all deadlines during payroll processing and month end week
Finance Manager looks at everything in detail to pick up anomalies, patterns and correlations, controlling and monitoring our financial systems.
Be able to find solutions to a range of practical and procedural issues that occur to keep the finance department running smoothly, and ensure that our arrangements meet our changing organisational needs Supplier or contract relating problem solving, using initiative to contact suppliers when a problem might occur
Responsibility for compliance with regulations such as VAT and payroll regulations, and internal procedures and policies
Act as a point of reference for the finance team across the organisation, ensuring financial processes are balanced with wider organisational values
Person Specification:
Minimum part qualified accountant (e.g. AAT/CIMA/ACCA) Experience working at team leader/management level
Experience within the voluntary, social enterprise and small business sector
Experience producing financial analysis reports
Experience producing and submitting VAT returns Experience processing payroll
Experience of costing processes
Excellent communication skills with the ability to build rapport with a range of people
Knowledge of relevant IT and accounting systems including Sage Accounts, Sage Payroll and Microsoft Office Ability to balance necessary processes with putting people at the heart
Leadership and people-management skills with the ability to offer both challenge and support, living our value ‘Kind but bold’
Evidence of the ability to bring innovative solutions to everyday organisational challenges
A flexible approach to work, demonstrating a willingness to get stuck in where necessary and learn from all successes and mistakes
Ability to work under pressure, delivering to tight deadlines, manage conflicting priorities and demonstrate high levels of emotional resilience
Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the wider work of The Reader Group, and its social mission, values and purpose
A commitment to a developmental culture through an openness to ongoing learning and personal development
Dedicated with the ability to work independently, use initiative and solve problems creatively and to take an active approach to personal learning and development
Keen eye for detail and a high level of accuracy
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: £32,148.36 per year
Expected hours: 35 per week
Benefits:
Discounted or free food
Employee discount
Enhanced maternity leave
Free parking
On-site parking
Sick pay
Work from home
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Liverpool L18 3JB
Application deadline: 14/07/2025
Reference ID: CO_140725