Director of Finance

Director of Finance

Full time, permanent

Preston, Lancashire

£44,000 per annum plus benefits

This is an exciting opportunity to help lead our client into a Wilder Future!

Since 1962, our client has grown into one of the largest Wildlife Trusts with a membership of nearly 30,000, over 40 reserves, around 150 staff and more than 1000 active volunteers, including a strong and capable board of Trustees.

They are seeking a professional, qualified and versatile finance professional who is able to provide strategic financial direction and oversight across the Trust.  As an expert in this field, you will also be expected to provide advice to Trustees and the Chief Executive on all financial matters.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will have overall responsibility for all aspects of Finance, and will be responsible for 3 members of the Finance team. You will also have nominal responsibility for HR and IT services.

You will handle a varied workload, ranging from financial strategy, risk management, compliance with legislation, VAT and partial exemption management, cash flow management, preparing accounts on a monthly and annual basis, financial planning, budgeting, reporting and preparing statutory accounts for audit.

They are looking for someone with the following skills and experience:

• Significant financial experience in a senior management role.

• BSc/BA in accounting, finance and/or professional qualification with ACCA, CIMA or ACA equivalent.

• Demonstrable experience of the preparation of management and annual consolidated statutory accounts, budgets, business analysis and management information.

• Knowledge of all aspects of taxation, including VAT, Corporation tax and payroll taxes.

• Experience of effective change management and of implementing new financial systems.

• Knowledge of charitable finance regulations.

• A high level of IT proficiency to include an excellent understanding of excel and its practical application.

The ideal applicant will be able to demonstrate resilience and will have the ability to adapt to changing business priorities in a responsive manner. They will have a ‘hands on’ approach when assisting and managing the team along with a positive approach demonstrating integrity, tact and diplomacy.

Experience in charity accounting would be a distinct advantage but a good commercial background at a Senior Level is essential.

If you are passionate about nature and are inspired to create a wilder future for the wildlife and people of Lancashire, Greater Manchester and North Merseyside, our client would love to hear from you.

Closing date: 26 November 2020

Interviews will take place throughout the recruitment campaign so please apply asap.

Our client reserves the right to close this recruitment if it is deemed that they have received a suitable number of applications. On this basis we would advise that applications are submitted as soon as possible.