Finance manager / assistant company secretary; job specification

Finance Manager/
Assistant Company Secretary
The Institute for Employment Studies (IES)
The Institute for Employment Studied is an independent, apolitical, centre of research
and consultancy in human resource issues. It works closely with employers in the
manufacturing, service and public sectors, government departments, agencies, and
professional and employee bodies. The Institute is a not‐for‐profit organisation
(company limited by guarantee) and a registered charity with over 60 multidisciplinary
staff and international associates. Turnover is in the region of £5 million.
Finance Manager/Assistant Company Secretary
Following a review of support services we wish to increase the resource in our finance/
administration team and have created a new role of Finance Manager/Assistant
Company Secretary.
The role reports to the Director, Finance and Administration/Company Secretary who
has responsibility for Finance, IT, HR, Office and Company Secretarial and legal services,
and is a member of the Institute’s management team.
The prime focus of the role will be to oversee the day to day running of the finance
function and perform finance related tasks, but there will be opportunities for a wider
range of responsibilities and the intention is for the Finance Manager to deputise for the
Director, Finance and Administration in some areas. It is difficult to be precise about the
split between finance and non finance activities as it will vary over time and with the
skills/experience of the post holder, but it is likely to be in the range 75:25 to 60:40.
This is a hands‐on role. We are looking for someone with relevant qualifications and
experience who would quickly be up and running in the key tasks of the role, and who is
interested in working for a not‐for‐profit organisation.
Finance Manager spec May 2007.doc 1

Job Description
The Finance Manager/Assistant Company Secretary is responsible for
financial and administrative responsibilities as follows:
Key Financial responsibilities include:
■ overseeing the whole of the finance function, including project finance and reporting,
payroll functions and financial reporting, ensuring smooth running and adherence to
finance timetable
■ preparation of monthly management accounts (including journals, prepayments and
accruals, fixed assets, revenue recognition) and preparation of reports to Management
team, noting reasons for any variance to budget and highlighting areas for concern
■ maintenance of NL accounts and carrying out appropriate system or accounts checks
and reconciliations
■ preparation of annual statutory accounts, including compliance with SORP 2005, and
managing annual audit
■ compliance with all aspects of taxation
■ assisting in preparation of annual budget
■ some day to day transaction entry, absence cover for other key tasks, dealing with
queries from internal customers (precise split of responsibilities and tasks between
finance staff to be finalised)
■ line management of Finance staff (two part time staff)
■ statutory returns to Charity Commission, Companies House, National Statistics, VAT
and so on
■ assisting in the identification and implementation of improved financial policies and
procedures, improved financial reporting, and ensure effectiveness of financial control
systems, including compliance with Charity Commission guidelines
Other responsibilities include:
■ maintaining Charity Commission and Companies House records
■ depending on skills and experience there will be opportunities for involvement in
other tasks such as:
□ managing IT outsource relationship
□ reviewing IT policies and procedures
□ contract legal review
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Institute for Employment Studies

□ working with project managers to improve project accounting practises and
contract awareness
□ business continuity and risk management.
Person Specification
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
■ up to date knowledge of the statutory framework of accounting requirements and
practices, preference for knowledge of SORP requirements and charity legislation
■ up to date knowledge of the statutory framework of Payroll, PAYE , and VAT
requirements and practices
■ good understanding of the structure of financial systems, and the practices and
controls surrounding them, preference for knowledge of application in a not‐forprofit/small
company environment
■ excellent communications and customer service skills. Ability to communicate
financial information to non‐finance staff and senior managers
■ ability to manage competing priorities and deal with a varied workload, and work
accurately under pressure and within prescribed deadlines
■ ability to work in detail coupled with ability to see the wider picture
■ high level of knowledge of financial application software
■ good knowledge and understanding of IS/IT systems.
Experience
■ experience in accounting, preparation of management accounts and statutory
reporting; preference for experience in charity accounting, and project accounting
■ experience of working on more than one computerised accounts system; preference for
experience of working on MS Dynamics GP (Great Plains)
■ experience of working outside of finance function (eg in IT, administration, legal,
company secretarial)
■ evidence of advanced skills in MS Excel, and good skills in MS Access, preference for
knowledge of ODBC and/or reporting software, eg Crystal reports
■ preference for experience of staff management.
Finance Manager spec May 2007.doc 3

Qualifications
■ finance qualification or other relevant professional qualification; or demonstrable
relevant skills and experience of working in the financial management function at an
appropriate level
■ evidence of updating/further development of skills.
Remuneration and benefits
Salary band: £25,000 – £30,000
Benefits: employer contribution to personal pension at 11.2% of salary, 4 times life cover,
critical illness insurance, permanent health insurance, 25 days paid annual leave, plus
bank holidays, plus up to 6 designated closure days.
How to apply
A letter of application and full CV should be sent to:
Recruitment Office
IES
Mantell Building
University of Sussex Campus
Brighton
BN1 9RF
or by email to:
recruitment@employment‐studies.co.uk
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Institute for Employment Studies