Finance Manager

Overall purpose of the job:

In collaboration with the Farm Director and the Farm’s Senior Leadership Team, to ensure the effective management, accounting and reporting of the Farm’s finances. Support the Farm Director and Senior Leadership team with strategic planning and development.

Take the lead on the annual budgeting process. Produce management accounts and quarterly reports to the Farm’s Board of Trustees. Ensure the Farm aligns with good financial practices and fulfils its legal obligations. Oversee the management of the day-to day finance functions across all aspects of the Farm operations.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Create and manage the annual budget:

- In collaboration with the Farm Director, staff and Trustees prepare the Farm’s annual budget for sign off at the final board meeting of the year.

- Monitor spend against the agreed budget to identify and escalate differences and challenges, as necessary, to the Farm Director and Trustees.

- Support the creation of new revenue growth and cost saving initiatives. - Develop projections over 3 years

Financial reporting:

- Generate regular financial reports as requested for budget holders and quarterly trustee meetings.

- Provide a financial report as part of the Farm’s annual strategy away day.

- Monitor the Farm’s financial performance using key metrics, created and reviewed annually with the Farm Director.

- Use visualisations where possible to promote easy interpretation of complex data.

Management of financial risks:

- Monitor, identify and escalate financial risks, for example deviation from reserves policy, funding gaps, and advise on risk management approaches.

- Promote and ensure that agreed financial policies and procedures are adhered to across the Farm e.g. cash handling and use of business expense cards.

Oversee the day-to-day finance functions:

- Provide line management for the Farm bookkeeper

- Oversee creation of new Classes and Locations within QuickBooks.

- Help to identify and implement efficiencies in relation to payroll, procurement, invoicing and expenditure.

Leadership and management responsibilities:

- Effective management, accounting and reporting of the Farm’s finances.

- Responsible for compliance with legal requirements related to financial reporting, VAT returns, and financial governance.

Communications and relationships responsibilities:

- Work closely with the Director to ensure a high standard of financial systems, procedures are maintained at all times.

- Work closely with the Finance Trustee to ensure the books are well organised to enable accurate reporting.

- Liaise with the Farm’s accountants, banks and other outside service providers as required.

- Liaise with budget holders and staff to ensure spending and recording of budget activity is carried out to a high standard.

Fundraising, income generation and social enterprise responsibilities:

- Produce financial reports to support grant fundraising.

- Provide financial data to support grant reporting.

- Provide monthly reports to budget holders to support them in tracking spending and decision making.

- Support the creation of financial models and budgets for the development of new business development ideas.

- Support the Farm to grow and expand its trading income activities. Problem solving and autonomy

- Be responsive when required to resolve financial issues to support the smooth and efficient running of the Farm.

- Able to investigate and resolve issues quickly and efficiently relating to all day-to-day financial issues.

The role will help us grow and increase our social and environmental impact through positive financial management. There is plenty of room to practice innovation, leadership and business development skills, working closely with the Farm Director and Senior Leadership Team.

We welcome people from a range of backgrounds, so please get in touch if you have any queries about your eligibility for the role. The hours can be very flexible to fit around most other life activities.