Head of Finance

WIRRAL METHODIST HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

JOB DESCRIPTION

HEAD OF FINANCE

Responsible to:

Director of Finance & Resources

Responsibility for:

Finance team, currently:

• Management Accountant
• Finance Officer (payroll and transactions)
• Finance Officer (Fixed Assets, VAT and reporting) – P/T
• Finance Officer (Accounts Payable)
• Rent Officer

Wirral Methodist Housing Association is small but a vibrant housing association with a strong, values-driven staff team and a committed, supportive Board. As we look to the future, our ambition is to continue growing organically, staying true to our local roots, our mission, and the communities we serve. The Association has 23 staff operating on a hybrid basis from offices in Central Birkenhead.

The work of the Head of Finance is likely to be varied and extremely ‘hands-on’ due to the size of the Finance team. We see this role as a career opportunity offering the post-holder an enjoyable, flexible working environment with the potential for substantial job satisfaction.

• Management and development of the Finance team, including the Association’s Rent Officer.
• Ensuring the proper and efficient delivery of the Association’s Finance and Treasury Management functions.
• Overview and development of timely, accurate, regular and functionally beneficial financial management reporting.
• Oversight and support with Income Management, rents and debt management
• Assisting the Association’s Management with ensuring that the work of the Association is planned, controlled and monitored to meet the objectives of the Association and to protect its resources.
• Supporting the Association in strategic planning and in the preparation of appropriate reports to the Board and its Committees on relevant issues.
• Assist Director of Finance and Resources in assessing, monitoring and managing the Association’s risk exposure.

• Oversight and supervision of the Finance team members including regular 121 meetings, objective setting and monitoring, identifying and delivering training requirements.
• Provision of regular financial and other relevant management information and advice to the Executive and wider Management Teams, budget holders, and the Board and its Sub-Committees.
• Ensuring the validity and accuracy of the Association's financial transactions, system, and policies.
• Ensuring adherence with all legal, regulatory and accounting frameworks appropriate to a registered social landlord.
• Lead the development and maintenance of the Finance modules of the Association’s housing management system, i.e. Home master (December 2025), including the design and operation of suitable financial reporting.
• Ongoing review and control of Treasury management matters, including maintaining historic and future cashflows, loan monitoring and reconciliations, covenant compliance.
• Assist with the development of and delivery of the Association’s Financial Strategy and the development, maintenance and regular update of the Association’s 30-year Business Plan using Brixx financial planning software.
• Financial appraisal and evaluation of capital development schemes or other new initiatives or ventures, using suitable appraisal software, leading to support, reporting, and analysis of all areas of Development Finance.
• Develop and maintain all necessary information and records to ensure compliance with financial covenants, including the maintenance of historic and future cash flow reporting models suitable for provision of information to Executive Management on the availability of cash resources and appropriate borrowing activity.
• The completion and production of all Finance-related statistical and regulatory returns, including, but not limited to, NROSH and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) annual submission.
• To plan and prepare for the audit and production of the annual Financial Report and Accounts including liaison with the Association’s External Auditors, combined with the ongoing review of accounting policies and procedures.
• Contribute positively to the continuous improvement ethos of the Association, including attendance at off-site meetings.
• Ensuring participation in identifying their own training and development needs and…