Head of Finance

Erskine Veterans Charity (‘Erskine’) provides unrivalled support to Veterans in Scotland, with two specialist care homes, two Activity Centres, a regional Home Support service, and a Veterans Village comprising of 44 cottages, five Assisted Living Apartments and 23 Transitional Supported Apartments.

This role is being introduced to strengthen and support the existing finance function, building on the strong foundations already in place. The focus is on improving how finance works together, supporting colleagues, and supports the wider organisation to deliver more effectively, rather than change for its own sake.

The Head of Finance is a key member of the Senior Management Team, with a primary purpose of providing financial stewardship, effectiveness and efficiency in finance operations. This post will play a critical role in supporting the continued development of the Charity’s finance function and is key to the organisation achieving growth and development of services, whilst effectively safeguarding its assets, and maintaining a sustainable financial future.

A summary of some of the key areas will include:

Finance Operations

• Efficient and effective finance operations – Work collaboratively with the CFO, Financial Controller and FP&A Manager to lead targeted improvements to finance operations where they add value
• Information technology - Work closely with the CFO to lead the effective development and implementation of an appropriate, fit for purpose information technology systems to support finance operations – including an appropriate accounting system
• Key performance indicators - Develop and refine KPIs in collaboration with the team to support clear, proportionate performance management across procurement, financial planning and analysis, finance and accounting functions
• Continual improvement – Support and lead the development and implementation of improvements to policies, processes, reporting, and financial controls relevant to their responsibilities and support their implementation across the Charity with budget managers
• Continuity - Ensure continuity of high-quality finance services during periods of change, maintaining stability in core processes such as payroll, payments, and reporting
• Support and oversight - Provide strategic guidance and oversight to the FP&A and internal financial control functions, complementing and strengthening the existing team

Financial Reporting:

• Financial analysis and strategic support – Lead the provision of high-quality financial analysis and insight to support strategic management decision making and Board reporting, including development of robust financial models, scenario analysis and long-term financial planning
• Annual statutory accounts - Provides oversight and hands-on support to the preparation of the annual statutory accounts and year-end audit process as required, ensuring full compliance with Financial Reporting Standards and the Charity SORP
• Compliance - Provides oversight and practical support on financial, charity and company compliance, working with the Financial Controller to ensure statutory filings and funder requirements are met
• Tax - Provides oversight of the Charity’s tax position and supports the Financial Controller in ensuring compliance across areas such as VAT, Gift Aid and payroll taxes. Leads on complex tax matters and relationships with HMRC, auditors and advisers
• Risk Management - Responsible for supporting effective risk management across the Charity, supporting the implementation and reporting of risk management policies and procedures, together with leading the procurement of the Charity’s insurance arrangements

Leadership, Team & Other

• Relationships - Build strong, trusting relationships with existing team members, recognising their expertise and supporting them to succeed in their roles
• Culture – Maintain an environment where team members feel supported, listened to, and able to contribute ideas for improvement
• Leadership - Lead, support and develop the finance team, building on their existing strengths to deliver consistent high performance and support their professional growth
• Team development - Support the professional development and career progression of team members, including coaching, mentoring, and access to learning opportunities
• Senior Management Group - As member of the Senior Management Group of the Charity, a role model for other members of staff
• Line management - Conduct annual appraisals for two direct reports, manage annual leave, flexi time and other aspects of team to ensure motivated and effective
• Resource planning - Ensure an effective plan is in place to cover annual leave or sickness within the Finance function and that business critical functions can continue to be delivered
• Stakeholder management - A responsibility for ensuring Senior Management Group members across the Charity have a solid understanding of the financial objectives, challenges, opportunities and risks connected to finance operations, together with an understanding of the Charity’s financial policies and procedures
• Other - Other tasks typically required of a “Head of Finance” role as necessary

For this role the organisation is seeking a fully qualified accountant with appropriate post qualification experience. The role would suit a candidate who has operated in an independent or SME style environment and will likely be operating at Financial Controller or Head of FP&A level and looking to take their next step. A core part of the role is driving improvement: redesigning month-end, strengthening reporting, improving processes, and delivering cross-cutting projects such as systems changes or restricted funds. This would appeal to a candidate who is motivated by delivering tangible improvements. The role will be managing a well established team and someone with a supportive and collaborative leadership style will be important.

For more information on the role, please contact Hazel Wynn at Rutherford Cross: [email protected]