Finance Operations Manager

Purpose of job: Comic Relief are looking for a Finance Operations Manager to join their Finance Department. The Finance Department operates at the heart of Comic Relief while supporting the rest of the organisation to deliver our goal of working towards a just world free from poverty. You will be responsible for ensuring all transactions at Comic Relief are accurately recorded and to support the Financial Data and Systems Lead in managing the finance systems and ensuring data remains accurate and up to date (Xledger and Workday Adaptive Planning). The role will have the opportunity to work cross functionally and offers the chance to collaborate with a wide range of roles. The Finance Department responsibilities also include ensuring that Finance activities align with our strategic vision, fostering a harmonious and efficient process for the Finance team to thrive. By working within the team's processes, you will significantly contribute to efficiency and financial accountability across the wider organisation. This is an exciting opportunity to get involved with a dynamic team, we are looking for someone eager to explore the finance space in the third sector. Key responsibilities:

• Ensure income and expenditure transactions are complete and correctly recorded in the finance system, ensuring all payments are made in line with terms
• Support Finance Officers in continuous improvement to accuracy of transaction processing
• Oversee banking reconciliations to include cash accounts and company credit card expense submissions
• Work with the Financial Planning team to improve coding accuracy at first time of asking, cutting down on errors
• Ensure correct VAT treatment for all transactions across expenditure and our varied income streams
• Responsible for housekeeping of data within the finance system and ensure suppliers on record adhere to the procurement policy
• Assist with system maintenance and improvement, to include work on system automation and a reduction in manual processes outside of the systems. This will involve working with the wider finance team and budget holders across the business
• Oversee fixed asset additions and disposals ensuring that the process is clear across the team and that new additions are correctly coded and allocated within the system
• Support on gift aid claims, working with our Fundraising teams and taking ownership for claiming amounts relating to high value direct donations
• Liaise with fundraising teams and the wider business to manage payment methods for receipt of income, and support the data team to achieve accurate income reporting
• Maintain procedure library for the team, reviewing old documents and creating and updating notes as required
• Manage the month end timetable with a view to working with the wider finance team to reduce our month end close and reporting dates
• Support the year end audit process to include assisting with the production of notes to the statutory accounts and ensuring audit sample deliverables are completed to required timescales
• Support and cover across the finance team as required People management
• Proactively undertake business planning, prioritise activities and set clear and realistic objectives based on capacity, expertise and aspirations.
• Provide balanced, constructive feedback, undertake effective performance management to embed accountability and proactively support the professional development and growth of staff.
• Maintain regular two way communication and dialogue with staff, ensuring information is cascaded and escalated as needed.
• Model an enabling, inclusive and empowering leadership style that builds a values-based culture throughout the charity
• Training and supporting the Finance Officers and delegating effectively
• Monitoring and signing off on professional experience records for line reports undertaking formal finance qualifications Person specification Essential criteria
• Knowledge and experience of implementing and configuring financial systems
• Experience completing balance sheet reconciliations
• Excellent attention to detail
• Pro-active with the ability to work independently on assigned tasks
• Experience collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders of varying levels.
• Qualified by experience
• Experience with accounts payable/receivable
• Competent user of Microsoft Excel Desirable criteria
• Ability to operate cross functionally
• Experience using Xledger and/or Workday Adaptive Planning
• Knowledge of accounting for VAT in charities
• Relevant accountancy qualification (or qualified by experience)
• Experience with Gift Aid
• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified