Head of Finance

Location: 35 Hours, Mon-Fri, Hybrid working - min 2 days a week in the office (Swindon/London)

Contract Type: FTC contract 12 Months – Maternity Cover

The Head of Group Finance is responsible for the strategic financial direction and long-term financial viability of the Institute and its Group subsidiaries.

In addition, the Head of Group Finance is responsible for providing BCS Group financial services including the operational responsibility for the provision of finance of the Group, the statutory financial services, financial accounting system, HMRC and Business Intelligence reporting for the Group.

This is a senior management role requiring communication and representation at a senior level with both internal and external contacts as well as maintaining a close and effective working relationship with the Senior FP&A Analyst, ensuring clear accountability for the production and integrity of financial data.

• Providing sound financial advice to BCS L&D Board of Directors, the Managing Director for each entity and other senior management colleagues;
• Providing an effective financial management service to the Institute, BCS L&D and other BCS Group subsidiaries;
• Providing general administration encompassing contractual matters for the Group;
• Provide effective management and standardize performance reporting for the Group

Annual Business Planning and Budget cycle:

• Agree and manage compliance with Group budget timetable leading up to approval of budget;
• Preparation of Annual Budget and 3-year financial projections in agreement with business units and in line with 3-year Business Plan and current operating performance;
• Provide financial advice to business units.
• Work jointly with Senior FP&A to lead and coordinate the annual budget and regular reforecasting cycles, ensuring assumptions are robust, outputs are accurate and financial implications are clearly communicated.
• Contribute as part of the Senior Management team to the overall business objectives within the business plan;
• Provision of appropriate financial and management reporting to support the management of the Group;
• Provision of regular sales/expenditure forecast reports for the Group, highlighting areas of concern and developing cost saving solutions where necessary;
• Development and maintenance of appropriate financial policies, procedures and controls. Operating and monitoring these financial controls to ensure compliance with Group policies and procedures. Including establishing appropriate delegated authority and approval limits;
• Monitor the financial aspects and approve any changes to the financial aspects of other relevant non-core financial systems;
• Maintain proper accounting records for the Group, ensuring all transactions (both income and expenditure) are promptly and accurately recorded;

Annual Report:

• Preparation of annual statutory consolidated financial statements of BCS Group of companies, including BCS L&D, in conjunction with the requirements of the Annual Report of the Society and statutory regulations (including the Statement of Recommended Practice (‘SORP’): Accounting for Charities and Companies Act);
• Management of the annual external financial audit
• Treasury management and monitor cash flow and working capital requirements;
• Financial responsibility for the Finance Department budget and general company wide financial responsibility for the financial affairs of the Group (including cheque signatory responsibility);
• Maintain appropriate documentation and guidance on the treatment of VAT within the company and keep up to date with current VAT legislation;
• Supervision of the Finance Department staff, providing management support and development to all teams, and team members, within their area of…