Harpur Trust

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Financial Controller

Bedford

Competitive Salary 

 

About Our Client

The Harpur Trust is one of the largest charities in the UK, having recently celebrated 450 years, and everything they do is for the Bedford area. Using the legacy of Sir William Harpur, the founder, their aims are clear and simple:

We're here to inspire and support people in the Borough of Bedford to improve their lives by:

  • providing and promoting education
  • offering help and relief to anyone who is sick, in need, hardship or distress
  • providing recreational facilities with a social welfare purpose.

The Trust supports the local community through the following:

  • Awarding funding to organisations and individuals for projects that make a difference to the local area;
  • Managing four of the local independent schools as well as being the sponsor of the HEART Multi-Academy Trust; and
  • Providing Almshouses in Bedford to the elderly and those in need.

The Harpur Trust employs over 1,100 people, either directly or in one of the four schools.

 

Job Description

This is a key senior role in the Trust with a broad spectrum of responsibilities and stakeholders, including:

  • Managing the central accounting function ensuring all deadlines are met, including the month end close down and raising invoices
  • Preparing the statutory annual consolidated accounts for The Harpur Trust in readiness for audit and presentation to the Audit Committee
  • Preparing and liaising with the external auditors. Implementing recommendations made during this process
  • Liaising with the Trust's schools to provide accurate and timely information in order to assist the school's financial planning
  • Managing cashflows, including making recommendations on which investment vehicles are used
  • Providing appropriate financial information/data to support budget holders within the Trust
  • Leading and developing the teams in the finance function, including the payroll function
  • Developing financial systems and processes to support effective decision making
  • Supporting the Finance Director on the management of investment and endowment projects
  • Overseeing the VAT reporting to ensure compliance and identifying any potential tax challenges
  • Preparing the annual budget and forecast for the Trust office, including producing quarterly management accounting information

 

The Successful Applicant

We are looking for a qualified, or qualified by experience, accountant with a proven track record in a similar finance role. You will have a background of working within a financial accounting function and be used to meeting deadlines whilst maintaining attention to detail. Due to the diverse areas in which the role operates, an agile thinker with a can do attitude is a must. Working closely with the Trust's four schools means you must be diplomatic, resilient and be able to build relationships with ease. This role will require a hands on individual who can operate effectively under pressure and support the Finance Director. You will be an excellent communicator who is self-motivated, empathetic and a team player who can work in a changing environment.

What's on Offer

Competitive Salary and benefits package

Ref Code: MPGW13923425Z