Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Salary: Up to £67,957.50 per annum plus excellent benefits

Location: National Cat Centre, Haywards Heath

Job type: Permanent

Hours: 35 per week

Closing date: 28 February 2021

Virtual interview date: w/c 15 March 2021

We are currently seeking a Head of Finance to provide strategic management of the Finance department and the finances of the charity, oversee financial systems and maximize the use of technology for effective financial management.

Although this role is currently working from home due to COVID restrictions, it is based at the National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, on the edge of Ashdown Forest. This is a remote location and public transport is limited.

Cats Protection is the UKs leading feline welfare charity with a nationwide network of centres, volunteer-run branches and charity shops. During 2019 we helped around 191,000 cats and kittens, an average of more than 520 per day!

The Head of Finance leads a highly skilled team of 20 employees, covering financial accounting and transaction processing, management accounting and reporting and Payroll. The Charity has an annual revenue budget of £75m and operates a trading subsidiary with income in excess of £2.0m per annum. The team processes around 5,000 supplier payments and 150,000 neutering vouchers per year. Running a payroll for over 1,000 staff and supporting over 220 branches and their volunteer treasurers, they also provide financial advice and support to the 36 Centres and a chain of over 100 shops

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Strategy, this is a senior position within Cats Protection. As a Leadership Group member, this role contributes to the leadership of the charity and works closely with the Executive Management Team on corporate financial issues. The job is varied, ranging from advising Trustees, supporting the Audit and Investment Committees, coordinating the Charity risk register, working with internal and external auditors and contributing to the long-term financial planning of the Charity in line with its strategic objectives.

As well as providing accurate and timely financial reporting including financial and management accounts, cashflow reporting, forecasting, budgeting and all statutory reporting, you will assist the Director of Finance and Strategy to ensure that Trustees are able to discharge their governance function and add value to Cats Protections performance. You will lead on managing the tax affairs of the charity and coordinating the risk management processes and have a key role to support, develop and empower employees and volunteers, particularly Branch Treasurer volunteers, to reach their full potential in delivering the best possible services in support of strong financial management.

To deliver this exciting and influential role, we are looking for a CCAB qualified accountant with several years experience leading a multi-functional Finance Team. Whilst experience of working in the charity sector is preferable, it is not essential. However, a good understanding of the charity SORP will be required to produce the statutory accounts. The successful candidate will have the ability to present complex financial information to a variety of audiences in oral and written reports and in webinars and face to face meetings. You will be a supportive leader, who develops the team and colleagues, is a team player and able to work independently on high level financial information.

Please note, the interview process for this role will include a competency based interview and practical test.

To apply for this position, please click the APPLY ONLINE button. Our application process requires you to submit a CV and answer screening questions including explaining your interest and suitability for the role. Unfortunately we cannot accept applications or CVs that are emailed to us directly.

For further details, please download the job description, which is available after you have clicked the APPLY ONLINE button:

- Job Description

- Candidate information sheet