Finance Manager

REPORTING TO: Director of Operations

DURATION: (FTE) Permanent

A bit about us:

WellChild is the national charity for seriously ill children and their families. We fund and deliver vital
programmes that support our vision: for every child and young person with complex medical needs to thrive at home.

Across the UK, more children and young people are living longer with complex medical conditions. Our
mission is to shape a society where they can be cared for at home whenever possible, surrounded by the right support, enjoying a rich and happy family life, and being recognised, empowered, and celebrated.

With the support of our Patron, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, and an incredible team of staff, volunteers, WellChild Nurses, and Trustees, this is an exciting moment to join WellChild. We are driving forward the ambitions of our Thriving At Home strategy - and we’re looking for passionate individuals to help us make it a reality.

About the role:

As our Finance Manager you will be at the heart of the charity’s operations and play a vital role in helping to achieve our strategic objectives. Working closely with the Director of Operations and CEO, your role and expertise will be pivotal in driving excellence and integrity in financial management and strategic financial decision-making.

Your responsibilities will be to lead the entire financial lifecycle, from budgeting and forecasting, to the
delivery of WellChild’s audit and the production of the charity’s Annual Report & Accounts to the appropriate standards.

Work for us

What are we looking for:

• You will be a qualified accountant with a proven track record of financial management and a solid understanding of charity accounting (including SORP and Charity VAT) and statutory accounts preparation.
• You will have strong analytical skills, a strong attention to detail, and be able to demonstrate both operational and strategic thinking.
• You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the charity to support robust financial governance and ensure transparency in the management of financial operations. Your ability to interpret, analyse and communicate financial data will be key in informing decision-making and presenting clear, accessible reports to a range of stakeholders, including trustees and funders.
• You will be confident using financial systems and tools such as Sage 50, Excel, and spreadsheets, and will consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Highly organised and detail- oriented, you will be able to work independently while upholding the values and integrity of the organisation.
• As the main finance role for the charity (supported by the Operations Team) you will be an excellent communicator, an emotionally intelligent and diligent team player who takes pride in their work and enjoys a diverse workload.

As part of your main duties you will:

• Lead on all financial processes including budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, cash flow, VAT returns and preparation of the Annual Report and Accounts.
• Lead financial and budget planning, working alongside the CEO, senior management team (SMT), and budget holders.
• Provide financial guidance and advice to staff, senior management and, where appropriate, the board of Trustees.
• Ensure the charity is ready for annual audits including the set up and management of this process and the relationship with external auditors.

You will have:

• An accountancy qualification at ACA (or equivalent) level.
• Proficiency in charity accounts, including a working understanding of SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• A good track record of managing month-end processes and preparing forecasts, management and statutory accounts.
• Experience in financial planning, including long-term budgeting and modelling.
• Experience in involvement in strategic discussions related to financial policies and decision-making.
• Proven success in working with external auditors and managing audit processes.
• Demonstrated ability to streamline audit procedures and enhance efficiency.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills and able to demonstrate both operational and strategic thinking.
• Good communication skills and the ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

What we can offer:

• Salary circa £34,000 per annum based on £43,000 (FTE)
• 23 days holiday on appointment rising to 27 days plus 8 bank holidays.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme from appointment.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• TOIL for out of hours work.

Other:

There will also be some travel to meetings and events required that fall outside of normal working hours.

Equal opportunities:

At WellChild, we celebrate diversity and recognise the value it brings to our organisation. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to innovation, creativity, and better decision-making. As such, we match charity needs with skills and experience of candidates and actively seek candidates from various backgrounds irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment,  marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We arecommitted to fostering an inclusive workplace and take pride in ensuring that everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered.

Safer recruitment:

WellChild is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process. The successful candidate will be required to complete regular safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check relevant to the requirements of the role. For this role that will involve a basic disclosure.

How to apply:

Application forms can be found on our website by clicking on Apply Now.

Completed application forms should be sent to via the email address to the right of this advert. Applications can also be posted to HR Team, WellChild, Sunningend Business Centre, 22 Lansdown Industrial Estate, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 8PL

Use of Curriculum Vitae (CVs)

Our policy is to recruit our employees on the basis of their suitability for the work to be done. An application form allows us to compare individuals based on like for like information and as such we do not accept a CV unless accompanied by a fully completed application form.

Recruitment timetable:

Application deadline: Monday 18th August, 12 noon
Interview date: Thursday 4th September
Interview location: Cheltenham Office

Queries:

If you have a query regarding the recruitment process, require additional information, or would like to
arrange an informal discussion about this role, please contact Johanna Waltho, HR Manager via either of the email addresses to the right of this advert.

Retention of personal information:

Please see our Privacy Statement which can be found at: https://www.wellchild.org.uk/privacy-cookies/

Please note that we can only accept applications from individuals with the right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor working visa applications.

We will be reviewing applications as they come in so reserve the right to close the role earlier than advertised if we receive sufficient applications.

**Please note that we can only accept applications from individuals with the right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor working visa applications.**