The Financial Controller is responsible for overall financial governance within the Comic Relief Group including responsibility for transactional financial systems, processes, investment and treasury management, legal compliance relating to financial matters and the production of financial information. Ensure appropriate advice and support is provided to trustees, directors and staff on technical accounting matters relating to the charity and its trading subsidiaries.

Key Accountabilities / Objectives:

• To design and set a suitable financial control environment and processes for the organisation. Ensure these policies are in place and functioning effectively.

• Supervise the processing of all financial transactions, ensure the month end deadlines are met and that all bank and control account reconciliations have been completed.

• Ensure treatment of transactions appropriate and compliant with the Charity SORP.

• Work with the Technology Office Team to ensure appropriate controls over the campaign income totals, public donations, corporate contributions, and tracking restricted and designated income

• Oversight of regular payment runs for grants and suppliers and ensure delegated authorities are followed.

• Ensure balance sheet reconciliations are completed monthly and prepare monthly balance sheet reports.

• Maintain appropriate chart of accounts and support the development of finance systems and procedures across the organisation.

• Oversee annual external audit and statutory accounts preparation.

• Prepare papers as required for the Board and committees and attend meetings as requested.

• Oversee Comic Relief’s investment portfolio, managing relationships with advisors, ensuring accurate recording of transactions and drafting of papers for the Investment Advisory Group and Trustees meetings.

• Manage both Charity Projects and subsidiary companies tax status in line with regulations and provide tax and accounting advice to the wider organisation as required. Advise on optimal tax structure

• Line manage staff within the financial control team.

Essential Education and Skills

• Qualified accountant with relevant post qualification experience.

• Extensive experience of using finance systems – Great Plains would be desirable.

• Knowledge of Charities SORP, statutory accounting regulations, VAT (including exempt, partial exemptions and reverse VAT), PAYE and other payroll taxes, and Gift Aid.

• Experience of running a finance function and managing staff.

• Proven experience of preparing annual accounts for external publication.

• Experience of working with legal teams.  

• Proven experience of setting standards, leading and developing a team.

• Understanding of voluntary sector, financial controls required and how to work with decision making structure (including Trustees) preferred.

• Understanding of investment and cash markets.

Key Competencies:

• Confident decision maker, with high resilience that can lead and motivate teams and thrives in cross-functional and collaborative working.

• Effective relationship builder with strong emotional intelligence and political awareness to proactively challenge and persuade senior stakeholders and partners.

• Analytical thinker with exceptional communication skills that engage and inspire.

• Dynamic professional with a positive, solution orientated and fun approach.

Inclusivity at Comic Relief

We recognise diversity and inclusion are a source of strength in achieving our mission. We therefore welcome everyone, trusting what makes us different brings creativity, styles and experiences to help us collectively do our best work. That’s regardless of your gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and cultural identity. We especially welcome those from under-represented groups in modern grant-making and fundraising. We are on a journey, but if you join our team you will be part of a community that is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where we want you to:

• Be valued for being yourself

• Do your best work, and be supported to break down barriers so you can succeed

• Be heard, respected, and treated as an equal, whatever your level, experience or background

• Be part of a team that is committed to making this happen – with our colleagues, partners, and contributors.

Comic Relief is committed to preventing and protecting all people from harm in their interactions with us. We expect all those that act in our name to uphold our approach to doing no harm.